[caption id="attachment_166" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Maddie"][/caption][caption id="attachment_168" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Maya"][/caption][caption id="attachment_170" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Meri "][/caption][caption id="attachment_172" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cabri"][/caption]
We spent alot of time outside this weekend as in a few days our puppies will start to go home. They enjoyed playing in the yard and trying to get the raw bones from the big girls. I have given a few their first bath and will have them all done by Wednesday when they leave. We will miss this little group but we have met all of the great families and know in our hearts that they are all on to bigger and better things! We are glad to have shared this eight weeks with them and look forward to updates from their families.

[caption id="attachment_158" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Keely and Cooper"][/caption][caption id="attachment_160" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="a pile of dogs"][/caption][caption id="attachment_162" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="our newest Earth Angel "][/caption]

The puppies had their first vet visit which also included their first car ride in the crate. There was some uncertainty at first but they quickly settled and enjoyed the ride. All received a clean bill of health and received their first shots with tails wagging and kisses for Chris our vet.

The puppies are six weeks old now and becoming very active. Darren built them a large kennel outside where they spent a few hours/day.We have also started to expose them to the crate.Maya especially likes the crate and sleeps on her back inside:)
They are becoming very playful with each other and sociable with a few people who stop by.
Avalon has a new haircut as she was getting matted from all the nursing. We are starting to wean the puppies and they are starting with some kibble soaked in goats milk. I have been sick with the flu for the past few days which is quite an expereince with 10 dogs to care for!

[caption id="attachment_147" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cabri"][/caption][caption id="attachment_149" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cooper"][/caption][caption id="attachment_151" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Avalon"][/caption][caption id="attachment_153" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lindy"][/caption]

While trying to get some nice individual shots I realized that the puppies are growing up and no longer want to be posed with cute props. I bought a $3.00 wicker baby carriage that I thought would be cute for photos. Chili curled up in it but everyone else wanted no part of – Meri least of all. These photos were the best of my efforts.

[caption id="attachment_139" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lindy"][/caption][caption id="attachment_141" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Meri"][/caption][caption id="attachment_143" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Maya"][/caption]

Today it was beautiful out so we decided to set up a little pen and let the puppies spend about 30 minutes outside. At first they were abit uncertain but by the end they didn’t want to come back in. Keely and Avalon kept careful watch over them as they explored and ran through the grass. They are five weeks old now and we are slowly exposing them to new things. They still like to nurse but eat soft food easily too. It is hard to imagine that most of them will be leaving us in three weeks….

[caption id="attachment_133" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cooper"][/caption][caption id="attachment_135" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Maya"][/caption]

It has been a busy week so I din’t get a chance to get individual photos but here are some photos of the puppy in the pen. We have made a bigger pen now as they were ready to see life on the other side of the whelping box. It also gives us a better arrangement for training. They are all growing and getting much better coordination to run around. They are starting to engage in litter dominance which is interesting to watch. I am away for the weekend so Darren will be on his own but he assures me he can handle it. My friend and I are off to the Farm Chicks Antique show in Spokane!