Week 6 - 10/17/2021

Week 6 was a big week for the pups! I forgot to share a story from I think it was early week 5, that leads up to the current sleeping arrangement the pups now have in week 6. Normally the puppies graduate from the whelping box to the bigger pen around week 3, but these four were so chill and stayed in the whelping box we didn’t feel the need to change it up yet! They probably would have been in there longer but we had left Zazu out since she needed access to the dog door (if you know what I mean). Normally we bring mama dog back into our bedroom at night once the pups graduate to us feeding them puppy kibble. Well Zazu needed outside access but that created the pups seeing her walk by and they’d get whiny trying to get to her. One early morning, they finally decided to crawl out of the whelping box and explore our entire house! (Yes there was a mess… a big mess…) It was early morning-ish and one puppy found their way in the kitty door and ate all of Spyro’s food on him! The funny part is that Jon found the 3 boys but couldn’t find Aby anywhere! He called and called her name and finally heard a puppy cry. She had somehow made it out the doggie door (this was pre-ramp and before they were big enough to crawl out on their own) and couldn’t get back in, since it’s much higher on the outside! She was out there all by herself!

Fast forward to week 6 and these puppies have made inside sleeping a dream! We unfortunately didn’t have the dog door access on our last litter of 9, and it has made the puppy pen morning cleanup a breeze for these guys to have access to outdoors. We made the little “dog house” area for the “puppy litterbox” area and expected the puppies to sleep and play outside of it. On our last litter, it didn’t really work and they went to the bathroom everywhere in the pen area. This time we made the “dog house” the sleeping area. We put their wet rags in there and a dog kennel and they have not gone to the bathroom once in the sleeping area! We started with several pee pads outside the sleeping area, and with the exception for the first night, the rest of the mornings we get up and there is either zero or one or two poops. The rest they do outside! We’re really happy and surprised how well these guys took to keeping their “den” area clean. We crack the windows for them as well as they prefer the cool. Most mornings we find 3 of the pups inside, but Mau is usually outside sleeping. That boy really likes the cool weather!

This week we introduced the pups to many different sounds. They experienced a real live thunderstorm (inside of course)! Then we played some sounds on our phone app or YouTube (connected to the big stereo) to desensitize them to the noises, and to let them realize that they are fine after hearing the loud noises because nothing hurts them. So they heard more thunderstorms, sirens, fireworks, city noises, crickets, etc.

Photos

Videos

On Saturday the family of Marv, who is the puppies’ daddy, came to visit their grandpups! They had a lot of fun playing with the pups and meeting the big dogs (and petting Spyro). We had a lot of fun chatting about Chinooks and all the fun and silly things they do as well as some stories of raising the puppies. On Sunday Bir and Manx got to go to Jon’s Mom’s house and his brother and his family came over as well to play with the pups so they got lots of playtime and cuddles. They got to also enjoy a dip in the pool and climb on the stairs and meet Willow as Aby and Mau did the week prior. They weren’t as happy with the car ride (it was a little warmer this weekend), but its good practice for them.

We got the puppies some new fun dog ramps/tunnel play thing. No, they’re not spoiled… wait I seem to say that every week don’t I? ;o) So far they’ve enjoyed using the tunnels to get away from the big dogs, do some sneak attacks on each other, and think that they can escape from each other even though their sibling is the same size and can follow them right in! These guys have so much more energy now and that play time can be over an hour and they’re still going! All of them are being super sweet now and give tons of kisses. They will sometimes sit next to me and I can rub their chest soothingly and they’ll actually relax and sit with me for a few minutes before running off. It’s really a nice bonding moment that we get to experience with them.

Oh and by the way, can someone stop adding Miracle Grow to my puppies!?!?! Have you seen how big they are now? Mau is huge! I want my tiny puppies back!

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

Desert Sol Mau

---

Pronunciation:

MOU

Sex:

Male

Weight:

14lb 4oz

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

---

Pronunciation:

A-bee

Sex:

Female

Weight:

11lb 8oz

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

---

Pronunciation:

MAYNKS

Sex:

Male

Weight:

13lb 4oz

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

---

Pronunciation:

BUR

Sex:

Male

Weight:

13lb 6oz

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.