Bailey and Jazz’s Litter – Week Seven (and a half)

Mom loves to play with her puppies!

“The Conga Line”

The level of activity in the yard has risen several notches since that first day the puppies staggered outdoors. It’s a joy to behold from a remote corner overlooking the busy playing field as all ten puppies from the combined litters interact with one another. One group can be found stripping bark from twigs and trees; another is honing their digging skills (sorry) while others are either playing tag or wrestling. One of the popular sports events this week was taking a running jump off a rock onto the lawn; a daunting five inch drop. Even the “dream team” of Bailey and Mango got in on the action. Mango leads the group around the yard like the Pied Piper or revelers in a conga line, while Bailey plays tug of war with the puppies using branches.

When you play that hard, sooner or later, it catches up with you. One by one, the puppies collapsed in a heap, totally spent. There was one group of five nestled atop one another in a hollow they had crafted at the base of a tree and another group slumbering on some river rocks under another tree nearby. They were so spent that each one had to be carried off to their whelping box dangling like a little rag doll in our arms.

This lot was so intent on going outside whether rain or shine and had no reservations about letting their desires be known if we weren’t fast enough on the draw. On one outing when the heavens opened unexpectedly, various bare spots in the lawn turned into mini mud baths. Many of the puppies returned to the whelping box as mini Chocolate Labs with their little brown tails wagging; a little dirty, but content.

This week, the pups had their temperament tests which confirmed that they are an alert, well-balanced and affectionate bunch who are willing to make friends with everyone. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed so we’re now firming up travel plans for some and getting them used to crates to help ease the stress of travelling. As the puppies mature, they are becoming even sweeter and more affectionate. We have been treasuring our remaining days together with each and every one of them. So remember as you go off on your journey: “when skies are gray, when skies are blue, in the morning and nighttime too, all we’ll do the whole day through is dream of you”. So long, little ones.

That concludes this edition of “Puppy Tales”.  See you next litter!