We are Three Weeks Old Today!

They are eating more, more often and I'm enjoying it less!

Quiet day today for the pups third full week of life. Weather reports say it's going to get sunny, but right now it's grey and cloudy and around 60 degrees. Oh well, this winter I couldn't wait for it to be 60, so I guess I had better be thankful! Looks like the temperature will be heading up this weekend.

The pups are starting to explore their environment. I put some toys around, they just climb over them or cuddle with them, but it's a start. Kayla is taking more rest time, as the pups are demanding more food! We will start with some rice cereal and goats milk this weekend and see if it's something they will tolerate. They have to learn how to eat, so it should be a sight! I'll try for some pictures of the mess! (Kind of like the babies first meal eating by themselves-food everywhere except in the mouth.) I'm headed home and Alice will be here overnight. Kayla really misses her, so it's great that she can do this!

I'll chat with you this weekend.

Pam

Marion's Birthday

Don't worry, just ignore it, it won't bite!

Ashley, 8, and Rachel, 4, are waiting for them to wake up!

Kayla is keeping an "eye" on the company!

Today, July 8th is Marion's 93rd Birthday! It started with Breakfast in Bed on a sunny day! Family is calling, her granddaughter and 2 great-granddaughters came and brought lunch. Friends have sent cards via email and snail mail. She is really enjoying this day!

The afternoon has turned cloudy, with rain and threat of thunder showers, so we are reading books and will play some "Scrabble" in a bit.

The pups are celebrating today also. They have gained some new freedom. In order to clean up the playpen, I have to put them out on the play rug. Soooo, they are moving around, barking,

getting into what ever they can, and generally driving poor Kayla up a tree, as she like knowing exactly where they are. We put two soft stuffed animals down for them to climb onto, bark at and snuggle up to, and they seem to be interested in them. The pups have been sleeping longer at night (3-4 hours between feedings) and a bit longer between feedings during the day, as we want them to play and move about. Kayla is doing a bang up job of this, as when they first get up she no longer jumps right in with them. She noses them and "woofles" at them and then walks away while they move around a bit. She really is a gem!

I have found out why I can't get the videos to upload. They are not in the right format apparently. I'll see if I can change them and then I'll post them. Talk to you tomorrow- the Pups will be three weeks old then.

Pam

Wonderful Day to Stay Inside and Play

So youngster, What's up?

Snuggle, kiss, kiss!

Hey you Monkey, let go of my Nose!

It's raining again, dark, gloomy, cool and damp. And it's thundering! But it's been a great day. Alice came up to play! We had a fantastic time with the pups. They are so funny, running (ok-stumbling), barking and trying to climb out of the whelping box. Many are able to, so the box has become a pen now. I really like this whelping box as it is so adaptable. Alice, Marion and I had lunch- broccoli soup, toast and tea. Alice brought some fantastic peaches up. Her family brought them up from Georgia and they are juicy, ripe and delicious! Then we got on the floor and played with the pups. We held them and loved them and they "latched onto" our noses, chins and fingers. Couldn't think of one other thing that would be as much fun! Everyone is napping now, Alice is on her way to rally class with Maddy, her other Irish Water Spaniel. I will be going to classes too as soon as Rosa gets back from her shows. Rosa is now an AKC Champion, she obtained that status this weekend winning some shows. So now it's on to Rally titles for her. Alice and I are going to the Rally weekend in Belmont July 26,27--so wish us well! Kayla is also a rally dog, but will have to wait until she is done "raising these kids".

Hope your day has gone well.
Pam

Blue Skies, Smiling at Me, Nothing but Blue Skies do I see!

Full tummies, warm bed, snuggle with family--hey who peed???

It's a bit blurry here!

Come on guys-give me a boost up!!

Well July 5th was one of the most beautiful days we've had in a long time. I actually had to get out my sunglasses! The pups are really growing. It seems that each day they are more active and are trying to do more. Today we actually had a few try to excape, and I did literally catch one boy as he went "over the wall". I cleaned out the "EL" of the house today in preparation for moving the darlings out into this area in a week or so. It's easy to put them out there, as it will be hot outside, and it's a cooler area...plus they will have all sorts of room. I'll also get the yard set up with the pop-up for shade, and the different equipment for play time. You will notice that shortly we will have colored collars on them--that way you can tract your favorites and so can we. By the way, Kayla's full sister, Rosa, got her championship title this weekend. Now it will be on to Rally and Agility for her. Of course, along the way what ever pup stays with us will be going to puppy play groups and beginning puppy obedience classes. I love socializing the pups....I enjoy socializing incase you couldn't tell (lol). Alice is coming for a short visit tomorrow, so maybe by that time I can get this video thing under control! Talk to you then.

Pam

Stars and Stripes

Quick, Mom's not watching--over the side here!

All I did was cool off--why the bath?

Happy July 4th from Kayla, pups, Marion, Alice and Pam!

Today started out sunny, went to cloudy with thunder showers, back to sunny with more showers on the way. We are hoping that the fire-works show scheduled for tonight is able to be held here in Bradford, the town folks put a lot of effort into this night!

Kayla celebrated the 4th by going swimming with Ranger--not that we wanted this, but they went off and plunged into our "babbling brook" (now a rushing river) just to test our mettle! Both dogs came out quickly, very pleased with themselves. Kayla then had to get a bath, as the pups need a clean IWS Mom, not just a wet one.

All the pups are up on all fours, and all have their eyes open. They are now trying to climb out of the whelping box, so we will be changing their "living space" this next week to accommodate their next developmental stage. Hope you all have a glorious 4th!

Pam

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!

Who's rocking the boat?

Here comes the Sun!

Well our little "drunken sailors" are up and running- or I should say trying to run. It is wonderful to watch them. The eyes are starting to open and they are barking and stumbling around..what a hoot! Also the SUN IS OUT today!! Yes I couldn't believe it. I even took a picture of it this morning to prove it was real. Of course that was at 7:30 am and it is now almost 12 noon and it is getting cloudy again, oh well, count your blessings eh? All is well and Kayla has been doing a wonderful job as Mom. She is cleaning up everyone, feeding them so that their little tummies look like beach balls, and they are so content that they are sleeping for hours at a time, which gives Kayla some much needed time to relax or sleep.

We all want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! Enjoy family, friends and the fact that we are able to do all that we do because of visionaries a few hundred years ago!

Talk to you Monday.

Pam

Row, Row, Row Your Boat!

Snuggle Up Everyone- It's cold and rainy out there!

No, I don't want to go out in that Rain!

I just wanted some space!

I'm seriously checking into buying an Ark! Can't believe it's raining again or still! Our "little" brook in the side yard is roaring along, climbing the banks and looking more like a river with class 5 rapids! But inside all is warm and dry. The pups are curled up together, Kayla's just fed them and all is right with their world.

Thanks to Alice, who came yesterday, stayed and did night duty, and didn't leave until mid afternoon today, I have gotten some much needed rest! While I was gone, a few pups were trying to open their eyes. All are up staggering around and barking. This is the fun time for me as they change daily. I love watching them interact with one another and their Mom. You can start picking out the independant ones, the layed back ones and the "me first" ones as they become more mobile.

Tonight, Ranger, Emma and Miss P were allowed into the livingroom to be with us. Kayla stayed with her kids in the whelping area. It was a quiet, peaceful time and with this gloomy weather, we all needed to snuggle.

Tomorrow I will try to get a few pictures of individual pups moving etc. so that you can see the growth and developement.

Talk to you then.
Pam