Here's a few random candid photos of the pups at 6 weeks old! Update follows the pictures.
In two weeks the Autumn Treasures will leave their first family here and begin the first day of the rest of their lives. The time has flown by and the pups have undergone tremendous changes on many levels.
At 6 weeks old they are fully weaned and eating 3 meals a day. Holly still interacts with her pups and enjoys playing with them. She also will correct them and remind them that nursing is pretty much off limits although she will sometimes let them have a little snack! We let her lay the ground rules as far as how much interaction she wants with her puppies. Our experience has been that the pups greatly benefit from spending time with their mother. She can teach them things that will benefit for them during their entire lifetime. Things such as bite inhibition, respect, and more. When she has been away from them for an extended time and returns, Holly will carefully go over each and every puppy.
The pups have been exposed to so many things! They enjoy playing with each other as well as with their toys. They are entertaining with their 'crazy puppy spurts' otherwise known as the 'zoomies'! Recently John put up the outside puppy play area for their enjoyment. Covered with artificial turf and safely enclosed it includes a puppy activity center, a tunnel, crates to crawl through, and a raised dog bed.
This litter is absolutely beautiful and if our situation were different now I would definitely keep a puppy. But wisdom and common sense must be applied above all because we have our wonderful senior dogs who are more than deserving of the time and attention that otherwise would have to be poured into the life of a young puppy. They don't realize they are seniors and on any given day they are running around, playful, and spry. Most are still actively hunted and all enjoy time in the field. They are all really still puppies at heart!
It's going to continue to be extremely busy between now and when the Autumn Treasures go 'home'. We have the puppy aptitude tests, microchipping, vet visits, introduction to quail and more. They are learning to go to the bathroom in one area although far from perfect. Suffice to say, they get 'sponge baths' frequently! They respond to my voice and are learning to sit and wait instead of jumping up. The foundations are being laid for their continuing education which is so important.
On a personal note, updates and photography have taken a backseat the past couple of week. I am sad to say that my sister recently passed away at home after a brief illness. I was fortunate to spend some special moments with her prior but it's still a shock to all of us. She is at peace and for that I am thankful. Having 11 beautiful puppies to snuggle with and to keep my focus on has helped my heart and been a blessing in disguise.
