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| Puppies are loving the great outdoors! |
“The Sentinels”
There
was one positioned at either end of the compound, standing tall, foreboding,
vigilant. No one was getting out and no one was getting in. They weren’t armed,
but they meant business and they looked the part – at least to the extent that
a Golden Retriever mom can. This describes Mango & Bailey looking out for
her flock as they frolic in the yard. Now that their litters have been combined
into one super litter, playtime has taken on a whole new dynamic and everyone
is having lots of fun. This enhanced socialization benefits the puppies and
establishes the foundation for their current and future relationships with both
animals and humans. All the puppies have become fast friends since they now eat,
sleep and play together. The mothers don’t discern between which is which and
all the pups are loved and cared for equally.
The
groups’ initial exposure to the great outdoors was a bit tentative. Let’s face
it, there’s a lot to take in as a little being in a great big world. This
feeling passed quickly and fortunately, their older “cousins” from Bailey’s
litter were on hand to help blaze a trail for them. Everyone settled into a
variety of activities. Some chose to try their hand at rock climbing while
others settled in with a nice little twig, mind you the twigs didn’t last long
because either of the moms kept stealing them. Then there were the groups who
were either wrestling, jousting or playing rugby without a ball, depending on
one’s point of view. Both moms got in on the action too. Bailey’s game was to
get the puppies’ attention, roll onto her back to entice them to come to nurse
and once they’re about to make contact, she bounces up and gets them to chase
her around the yard. Once the action calms down, both Mango and Bailey find a quiet
spot off in the shade where they keep a vigil over their little clan.
There’s no question that meal-time is a highlight for the puppies. Their
food is becoming increasingly more solid and they’re getting water as well to
keep hydrated. Every time the jumbo bowl in the shape of a ring makes its
appearance, unless they’re sleeping, they leap to attention and make a bee-line
for it. The dining area sometimes get so crowded that we have to air-lift one
or two of the puppies to the other side of the bowl just to be sure that no-one
misses out. Once all the bellies are filled and the little ones have licked the
excess off their neighbour, this activity is capped off with a nap. As they lay
there sleeping, it becomes clear that “Heaven must have sent their precious
love”.
That’s it for now, but be sure
to join us next week for another enthralling installment of “Puppy Tales”.
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