Whitney and Storm’s Litter – Week Four

Cleaning each other up is the best!

“His Majesty’s Feast”

This week saw the introduction of the puppies to gruel or mush:  a healthy concoction of oatmeal, kibble, honey, goat’s milk and vitamins, all fit for a king, to supplement the feedings they get from their mom. It’s always interesting to see how things take shape during the inaugural feeding. They’re usually a little apprehensive about consuming something their mom didn’t deliver, but that certainly wasn’t the case with this group. Mr. Coal and Mr. Cinnamon Twist needed no second invitation and their message to the rest of the group was clear. One by one, the puppies descended upon the bowl to see what the fuss was all about. Toward the end of the feast, unrestricted by etiquette, both Miss Mistletoe and Mr. Sugar Cookie were walking through the bowl and even laying down in it. Whitney also enjoys mealtime because she gets to finish the left-overs (if there are any) and lick the sticky mess (also known as dessert) off their faces. Of course, the milk bar is still open 24/7 and remains a popular venue, but there’s no doubt Whitney is rather delighted that her puppies are receiving three square meals of mush a day now. This means a bit of a reprieve from each puppy’s twenty-eight razor sharp teeth so that Whitney need only provide a top-up. Inexplicably, both Sierra and Bailey with litters of their own have stopped by Whitney’s whelping box to pitch in and nurse them too.

The group’s other activities have proved to be just as much fun. With an elaborate play station at their disposal (no batteries required), the little ones are developing their strength, co-ordination and cognitive skills as well as learning how to engage in an activity with a littermate, even if it’s just bumping heads. So far, their cheerful banter and chirping have not disturbed the solitude of their neighbours since Sierra and her brood share the same postal code as next-door neighbours.  Little do they realize that a giant play fest may well be on the horizon once the pups are old enough to withstand a little dose of the crisp Caledon air.

That’s it for now, but be sure to join us next week for another chilling installment of “Puppy Tales”.