Pups Day 25

Over the past week we figured out our "do laundry, ALL THE TIME" rhythm.  Thanks to our generous friends who have such GREAT gear, Dave built an outdoor pen for the pups to explore for a few hours each day and they also entertained their first visitors at our house.  Clearly the pups enjoy exploring new things! 

Dave is also experimenting with the GoPro - we now have a Lego cart!  Obviously it is also quite interesting ... 

And here are a few other pics of the pups from today (I am guessing this is the last safe day to get this low with them in their pen!): 

Pups Day 18

Or 17 days old ... depending on how you look at it.  Either way we look at it, they are awfully cute and we can spend hours just watching them.  They are getting closer to being able to walk but certainly won't win any movement classes with their gaits.  They are also starting to mouth eachother and explore the limits of the whelping box.  

Some of them are already loving (or at least very curious about) the camera!  Another common theme is that their heads get very heavy when filled with thoughts of escape ... so they must rest them on something.  And ... in case anyone is keeping score from our FaceBook posts, Mr Green continues to be *quite* vocal. 

Most of these photos were shot this morning with natural light since their eyes have recently opened and are not ready for full on blasts of light/flash.  The pups also got to enjoy a laundry basket ride to the auxiliary area (swimming pool in ex pens) while we cleaned up the main area. 

Check below for Dave's video of the walking adventures! 

This is the last update for a bit as we are heading back into the work week, but please enjoy!


Transitions

Today we had to say goodbye to little Odd Job (the tiny boy born 2nd).  I know we all did everything we could to help him, but in the end it wasn't meant to be.  We know he had a lot of support and for that we thank you. 

The past few days have also shown us new beginnings.  The other 5 pups continue to be fat and happy and are starting to open their eyes and actively explore the whelping box (and soon beyond the box if we aren't careful).  They are also quite vocal, as demonstrated during their ENS exercises which definitely elicited some strong opinions!

Here are a few photos of the pups taken over the past couple weeks. 

Money Penny, 1st born girl

Electra, 3rd born girl

Mr. Green, 4th born boy

Q, 5th born boy

Vesper, 6th born girl

As an aside ... I have a healthy newfound respect for the photographers who get great photos of young puppies - this is no easy task and clearly I must plan better than just grabbing for my phone when the pups look cute.

Pups arrived today!

We welcomed the pups to our home today. 

(See previous posts for the birth number/color/Bond theme names). 

Thank you so much to Gina Campodonico for taking care of Boca and her pups for the past week+ !  Now that Erika is back from out-of-town travel we are able to care for Boca and her pups in our home.  They are all set up in Dave's office and are getting comfy in Donna Highstreet's whelping box that has been used by Star, Rubi and Tahoe for their litters. 

Thanks also to everyone who is rooting for the little guy (aka Odd Job).  He is still with us and fighting but faces an uphill battle due to his size.  He is gaining weight now but is very far behind the other black pigs.  You can see him nursing here on the very left.