Two Weeks Old

Yesterday was the 2 week old birthday for the puppies.  Their eyes are open now and they are getting more active.  They walk around like little drunks and fall over on their side, it's very comical.  Also new is that they are starting to sound more like real dogs with little barks and yips and less "squeaks." 

 They still eat many, many times each day and Marlene is always nearby.  Today she got a bath (her first since having puppies) and was eager to get back in to her babies.

 You can almost see them growing

All snuggled up after a meal

 Miss Purple/Blue

 

 Mr. Green

 Mr. Orange

 Miss Pink

 Miss Pink again (notice the hole in the mat? that's the handiwork of the last litter :)

 Mr. Red

 

Love how they tucked their little heads in this picture

 

 Miss Yellow

Week One Portraits

Well, we almost got it.  We did these last night which was day 8.  I had forgotten how hard it is to get decent photos of 1 week old puppies.  Man can they wiggle and move!  I will use my better, faster camera next time.  Anyway, here they are:

The Girls

 Miss Pink

 Miss Yellow

Miss Blue/Purple

And now the boys

 Mr. Orange

 Mr. Red

 Mr. Teal

And after their photoshoot they were all tuckered out.  Five of them got in a row on the heating pad and one was off in a cooler spot.  It's interesting to see them develop preferences for warm and cool areas at this age.

First Visitor

The puppies had a special visitor today.  Their other Grandma, Alison came to meet them.  She stayed for a nice long visit and enjoyed holding and watching the puppies.  She has always owned boy dogs and this was the first time she got to see puppies this young...I think she liked them.

Meet The Kippenhill Babies!

Here they are, just as cute as six little black puppies can be. 

This is shortly after everyone was born...just a few hours old.  Marlene is a great mother again.  Even more relaxes this time too.  She lets her daughter, Bernadette give them little licks.

 They are a day old in this photo. They have been very good eaters since the begining.  Everyone is nice and strong.  They get such a good latch on that sometimes Marlene will stand up and they'll still be hanging on!

Since all the puppies are black this time it was hard to keep track of everyone.  It's important to monitor weight and activity of each puppy to be sure they are growing and progressing as they should.  We decided the best method to mark them with was little crocheted yarn collars.  They are soft and somewhat stretchy.  We thought about different color nail polish, but the one we tried it on was hard to see against the black fur.  The girls are pink, blue and yellow/white and the boys are red, orange and teal.

Look at this cute little guy with his tongue out.  Adorable!

It's been quite a while!  There has been a lot going on here over the past 2 years....some good, some a bit more challenging.  But we are excited to report that Marlene has puppies again!!  This is her second and will be her last litter.  A week ago today she had 6 beautiful babies.  3 boys and 3 girls, all black.  The daddy of this litter is "Hunter" GCH UR SHR Wingmaster's History Repeats CDX JH RE WCX CGC HOF.

 Hunter is a lovely dog.  He is very talented as well as beautiful and has earned many titles in conformation, field, obedience and rally.  He was inducted into the FCRSA Hall of Fame in 2011.  In conformation he has earned a JAM (Judges Award of Merit) at an FCRSA National Specialty as well as at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  He has a charming personality and his owner describes him as one of the easiest dogs to live with that she has ever owned.  He knows no strangers and gets along with all other dogs.  I have watched Hunter grow up and he has always been one of my favorite dogs to know.

Long time no see

I've been crazy busy lately.  And it's so stinkin' hot that when I get home all I want to do is stay inside in the air conditioning...not the best place to get puppy pictures.  I finally got a few minutes to take my camera out with them today and get a few photos before it started to rain....ah Florida, the "sunshine state."

First of all, Shaka went to his new home a couple of weeks ago.  They have reported that he is such a good puppy, sleeping most of the night and doing so well with his potty training.  I'm so proud of these puppies and so happy that their families are happy too.

Shaka with his new mom Cathy

And here are a couple photos from today.  The puppies are just adorable.  We are still having so much fun with them but hope Tank and Little Man get their very own homes soon so they can be very, very special to someone.  Their personalities have blossomed and they are very playful.  They are starting to learn little obedience commands like, sit, come, lay down, etc.  They love training time because they get yummy peanut butter dog cookies!

Looks like Big Brown has been eating some dirt, doesn't it?!

Tank found a nice wood chip to chew on.

Handsome Little Man who prefers to be called Manly Man now,

since he not so little.

Big Brown chewing on something again...they love to find 

stuff to chew on outside.

and cutie pie Tank

Still here and having fun

We still have 5 puppies here.  Little Bernadette will be staying forever, but Mr. Fluffy Head, now known as Shaka will be going home this Thursday.  He is a funny little boy who has learned how to climb :)  He was routinely meeting us at the door when we'd get home.  Getting out of the 24" ex-pen was no problem for this little monkey so we had to go to the really tall ones we have for the adult dogs.  Little Man is doing great!  Tank & Big Brown just keep getting more and more handsome.

Handsome Tank

Beautiful Big Brown

Little Man

Shaka loves to play with his mom and his grandmom.  The older girls are so good with the puppies.  Marlene still loves being a mom.  She plays chase with them, tug games and gentle wrestling.

Shaka's new mom sent a sporty new collar for him.  I put it on for a picture, but the other puppies thought it was a new toy and were pulling on it, lol...so it had to come off.  He'll get to wear it on his way home.

If any of the puppies end up being therapy dogs, I can promise they'll have no problems around wheelchairs!  Daniel's wheelchair is a favorite place to play.  Sometimes one will get in the net under the chair while the others pull him around.  I'll try to get a picture of that. This is Shaka.