We transitioned the puppies to the barn today, beginning with a playtime outside, then we moved them into their fenced grassy area where they explored for a while. Next we opened up the gate to their covered outdoor space and, finally, brought them inside. (An intro to the doggy door will come later.) They were very curious and a little cautious with the changes and it didn’t take long for them to zonk out for an afternoon nap.

The “barn” that Biff designed and built a few years ago, primarily for dogs/puppies and to have a “man cave,” is now ready for Finley and her puppies. He’s been cleaning indoors and out for a couple of days to make the space ready for the puppies and for us to live in while the puppies are out there. The puppies will have access to outdoors, via the “doggy door” that you can see below, left.  The outdoor space provides both cover and grassy space in the sunshine.  We’ve accommodated twelve puppies in the same area that our three will now have as their own. Gotta say, it’s pretty luxurious.

The photo below is a couple of years old, but provides another view of the kennel level of the barn. Upstairs there’s a “lounge” for humans (and big dogs,) which includes a sleeping space for whichever of us is “on duty” with the puppies overnight.

It took the puppies just a few minutes to notice the (frozen) pheasant that Biff put out for the puppies yesterday morning. They nuzzled into and mouthed the feathers.

The puppies still nurse from Finley when she’s lying on her side, but they also can reach her when she’s standing and they occasionally nurse this way, too. They’re getting better at lapping up milk and soaked, mashed dog kibble from a pie plate. Biff spent a good chunk of today cleaning out the spaces in the barn where the puppies will be.

And this afternoon, Logan and his dad, my nephew Andrew, snuggled a puppy during a family get-together.

The puppies’ baby teeth have started coming in and they have been increasingly chewing our arms, toes and even our clothes when they can. They’re also chewing the puppy toys, seeming to prefer the softer items, not the hard rubber ones.

We’re remembering how sharp those puppy teeth are and will soon be discouraging “teeth on skin” by interrupting their teething on us to chewing on toys.

Jan, our friend and “country neighbor” (meaning she lives within five miles of us) stopped by to meet the puppies this afternoon. Jan was one of a team that helped us for all eight weeks of our big 2015 litter.  Not only was she great with the puppies, Chev, Finley and Xupe LOVED her!  And they greeted her warmly when she arrived today.

Biff, Jan and I took all three puppies outside during her visit and were delighted to see them all pee in the grass within the first couple of minutes of being outside. One of them even pooped! Jan will be helping with the puppies in the weeks ahead. We are so grateful she’s available.

The puppies play in various ways as a regular part of their day – with the toys, with Finley and with each other. They try to engage Finley after they nurse, sometimes climbing all over her or mouthing her feet or ears. They’ve also started carrying the soft toys around in their mouths. And they’re really getting really into wrestling with each other!

We’ve introduced the puppies to a lap-able goat milk/dog food “slurry,” incremental steps toward weaning and becoming puppies that will, in just a few more weeks, be eating dog food.

Another distinct change is how rowdy they’re getting with each other.  Play time follows waking up and eating.  They mouth their siblings’ body parts, chase each other around, paw at each other and they’re vocalizing as they romp. Then, one by one, they zonk out, sometimes walking over a sleeping brother or sister before finding their place to sleep.

Happy 4th of July!  Today was the first day the puppies experienced being fully outdoors on their own. Although we allowed them lots of space to move and explore, they all stayed pretty close to us as they walked on the grass and breathed in all the scents of outdoors.

Almost 2 year-old Addy and her mom, Gena, drove out to see the puppies this morning. Finley seems to accept visitors although she stays close when unfamiliar people are with her babies. The puppies are unguardedly curious about everybody.

Full disclosure: If you ask Addy what she remembers about her visit, she may tell you about the stairs in the house or the glass door to the porch. She was just as curious exploring those as she was seeing the puppies.