Dreamer

We are very sad at our house. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Dreamer, died Monday morning. He wasn't with us for very long, but he was a member of our family from the very beginning. He was a clown and made us all laugh. I will miss his sense of humor and his companionship. Run free sweet boy. You will be greatly missed. We love you.

The following is something one I have always found touching and I want to share it:

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Hmmm Hmmm Good!

The puppies had their first tast of solid food today. Actually, it wasn't exactly solid as I soaked it until it was very mushy. While they still prefer their mama, they quickly figured out that this stuff wasn't too bad and proceeded to eat like little piggies. After they'd had their fill, I let Libby in to clean finish off the food and clean the puppies up.

Their bellies are full, Libby has cleaned them all up...

it's time for a long nap!

After dinner, there's nothing like taking a nap in the puppy bowl.

Several trying to crowd in for a rest. I don't think
they are going to fit!

Mama finished cleaning up lunch, and the puppies
have decided to play king of the hill in the dish.
Mr. Orange is king!

There is always one who has to lay across the bowl.
We won't mention names - Mr. Red!!

1st taste of puppy food. They are lovin' it!

Puppies and Kids

My girls are really enjoying the puppies. They love to get in the whelping box and let the puppies climb all over them. As you can see, the puppies love the girls too. It's wonderful to have such great puppy socializers! And of course the puppies are well used to children by the time they leave for their new homes.

Peek-A-Boo, We see you!

The babies are three weeks old now and this has been a week of change for them. They all have their eyes open. It's been a lot of fun to watch them discover this big new world. They are getting around better and better each day. They are also playing, rough housing, barking, and whining when they see mama outside the box and they can't reach her ( a few of them howl, and always at 4am!). I have also seen them try and climb up on the pig rails. It won't be long before they are trying to escape their whelping box. I put toys in the box for them to play with and I think Libby had more fun with the toys than the puppies did. In fact at one time, she gathered them all up and had them tucked under her chin. The puppies are also getting teeth (Poor, poor Libby) and can now reach mama when she's standing up.

Today they had their first dose of wormer and didn't think to highly of that. They let me know in no uncertain terms that it was disgusting! We also traded in the yarn collars for real collars. In another week, we'll start them on puppy gruel and see how they like it. We'll also start taking some trips outside during the day and let them explore.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow above. For your information, when we refer to the puppies as green girl or orange boy, etc. we are referring to the color of their collar. My girls would love to name each puppy, but then the girls already get very attached and naming the puppies only makes it harder when it's time for them to go to their new homes. I always remind them that we aren't keeping them all and not to get too attached, but they usually have a favorite picked and it's always a bittersweet time when they go home.

Puppy Updates

Well, the puppies are two weeks old now and growing fast. They have all more than doubled their birthweight and look like fat little piggies. They are up and walking (a little unsteady) but they are getting around better each day. Their eyes are also opening and they are getting their first glimpses of the big wide world. Ok, so not the big wide world, just their whelping box and their mama at this point, but that's all they care about. In another couple of weeks, they'll get to take some trips outside and start to experience a lot of new, different things. I will try and get some pictures of them soon and post them so everyone can see how much they've grown.

Contentment!

I don't know if you'll be able to hear what I was saying on this video clip, so I'll sum it up here. The puppies just finished dinner and were all sprawled out and sleeping. The pink girl was flat on her back with her legs in the air - the picture of utter relaxation. It was too funny, so I got it on video. One of the boys sleeps like that quite often to. They are a contented bunch of puppies. Of course you can see from their bellies that Libby produces milk like a dairy cow! She's keeping them very, very well fed.