Week 4 - 10/3/2021

Week 4 has arrived! It has been a continuation of the fun and stimulation the puppies had in week 3 plus more! They are mainly eating the soft puppy kibble in goat’s milk so we trained them to come to the “dinner bell” as we tap our finger on their metal food bowl. They still cry like mad when mama Zazu checks on them, begging for a snack, but really they’re not getting much from her anymore since all of their main meals comes from us now. All four are eating like champs and starting to leave their food/play/sleep area to go to the bathroom. In fact, these guys don’t like going #2 in their whelping box so cleanup in the morning has been great for us!

The big adventure this week was exploring outdoors! The puppies absolutely loved the grass. They keep to a small area where they can always check back in with one of us, but immediately took to exploring without being afraid. When they get older I’m sure they’ll be going to all four corners of the back and side yards having us to find them. They got to play and eat on grass, concrete, landscape rock and fake grass. They eat most of their meals outdoors and have their play time right after. It’s cute watching Mau put his paws out to grab the giant bouncy ball as it rolls by, or how the puppies will follow Aelin around and all play bow to each other. Bir continues to explore the farthest and see which plant he can chew on, luckily we don’t have many and most are trees. He’ll do well in an avid hiker home for sure!

Aby is reminding us more and more like Zazu when she was a pup. They have different characteristics of course, but the sitting and watching and contemplating life part is the same! Aby is more outgoing than Zazu was at this age but she’s also thoughtful and calm. Manx has been our all-around guy, a good blend of fun and sweet. It’s fun to give Mau tummy tickles when he’s lying on his back. He seems to enjoy them since he doesn’t run away fast. Nursemaid Aelin still likes to check on her little “babies” and play with them, it’s really a sweet thing to experience!

Photos

Videos

Being outside and also in our dog kennel run, has brought lots of new experiences and stimulation to the pups. They also got to hear sirens, airplanes, landscaper blowers and mowers (in the neighborhood) and more noises outside. In the kennel they get to climb on and crawl under the raised dog beds, and they like laying on the bricks that are in there (that are there thanks to a certain 2 year old puppy who decided pulling up the fake grass was fun…).

The best part of raising puppies, especially at this age, is when we change their whelping box bedding, and it’s all fresh and clean, I like to lay down in the whelping box with the puppies. They give tons of kisses all over my face and ears and I just laugh at the tickles and excited little puppies. Their soft fur rubs up against me and they all just love being able crawl around and over me. It’s the best de-stress medicine for 10 minutes of laughing and fun. You should try it sometime!

The Kitty litter (as always in order of appearance):

Desert Sol Mau

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Pronunciation:

MOU

Sex:

Male

Weight:

7lb 3oz

Name Origin:

Eqyptian Mau: Egyptian Maus are a small to medium-sized short-haired cat breed. They are one of the few naturally spotted breeds of domesticated cat. The spots of the Mau occur on only the tips of the hairs of its coat. It is considered a rare breed. The Eqyptian Mau is the fastest of the domestic cats, with longer hind legs and a unqiue flap of skin that allows the legs to stretch back farther. Maus have been clocked running more than 30 mph! The Mau is known to be a loyal, playful and friendly breed.

Desert Sol Aby

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Pronunciation:

A-bee

Sex:

Female

Weight:

5lb 12oz

Name Origin:

Abyssinian: The Abyssinian is a breed of domestic short-haired cat with a distinctive "ticked" tabby coat, in which individual hairs are banded with different colors. The Abyssinian breed is one of the top five most popular breeds worldwide. In the terms of domestication of cats, the Abys have been found to be one of the oldest types of animal in existence, with mummified cats in Eqyptian tombs. Abys are frequently regarded as "Clowns of the Cat Kingdom", and their dog-like characteristics include their particular need for affection and desire for interaction.

Desert Sol Manx

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Pronunciation:

MAYNKS

Sex:

Male

Weight:

7lb 1oz

Name Origin:

Manx: The Manx cat is a breed of domestic cat that has a naturally occurring mutation that shortens the tail, known as the "Manx taillessness gene". Many Manx have a small stub of a tail, but Manx cats are best known at being entirely tailless, the most distinguishing characteristic of the breed, along with its elongated hind legs and round head. Manx are prized as skilled hunters, and have been sought out by farmers as rodent hunters and a preferred ship's cat breed. They are social, tame and active cats.

Desert Sol Bir

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Pronunciation:

BUR

Sex:

Male

Weight:

7lb 2oz

Name Origin:

Birman: The Birman is a domestic cat breed with long-haired, color-pointed fur, distinguished by a silky coat, deep blue eyes and contrasting white "gloves" on each paw. Birmans were almost wiped out as a breed during World War II. Only two cats were alive in Europe at the end of the war, a pair named Orloff and Xenia. They were the foundation of the breed, and all offspring were of this pair. They were heavily outcrossed with other long-hair breeds, like the Persian and Siamese, to help rebuild the Birman breed.