Archive for the ‘Chloe’ Category
Chloe and pups preparing for adoption
As you probably know, we are a volunteer foster-dog family for an organization called H.E.L.P. (www.HelpingAnimals.org) in suburban Chicago. When dogs we foster are ready for adoption, they are listed individually on the leading pet adoption site, PetFinder.com, and on the H.E.L.P. site. In a few weeks, mama Chloe and her seven puppies will be ready for adoption to their forever families. Here are links to each of the dogs:
If you are interested in beginning the adoption application process, follow the links above for information.
These pups are chill and happy
The puppies are loving being outside. They are such a subdued group, very chill and happy. They love cuddling and are getting used to many different people as we’ve had a lot of visitors with their children. This is great help to me, so thank you everyone who has visited so far and if you’d like to visit drop me a line! Also, we’re taking applications now for the puppies so if you’re interested contact H.E.L.P. (Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets) at HelpingAnimals.org or by calling at 877-364-2286.
It is amazing how relaxed I am this time around. I think it is a combination of this group being quieter than the past groups, the mama, Chloe being healthy (no parasites, no illness, not overly skinny) and me hitting my stride. I will hit harder times shortly, as the pups turn 6 weeks they will get busier, but for now I keep thinking, “this is a breeze!” Yeah.
Mama dog Chloe nurses her pups
Here is a short video shot outside last weekend. Mama Chloe is nursing her puppies in the yard.
Watch this video on YouTube!
Kids and puppies
My son is good with dogs. His friend was struggling because even though she didn’t want them coming after her, she kept drawing our dogs to her (because she was flapping her arms, yelling and calling the dogs by their names). Ryan showed her perfectly how to communicate to a dog that he doesn’t want attention: He sat still, kept his arms close to his body and looked away from the dog. As his friend did the same, the dogs ignored her too. Now, I’ve never taught him that specifically, but he knew exactly what to do. That was a proud moment for me! But then later as they were playing with the puppies I came into the room after hearing much whining from Chloe and found a puppy alone ON TOP of the large dog crate! So, he’s smart but he’s still just 6yrs old!!
Here’s my future dog whisperer in training:
More puppy photos
The puppies enjoyed the outdoors twice today! It was lovely sitting outside on a warm and breezy spring day watching their little furry bodies romp in the grass. They all seem very comfortable outside and there is much less crying than there was with my litter last year – Sweetie‘s group. They would cry every time they were outside and usually one or two would spend the entire time trying to get back inside! But this group seems to love the outdoors – yet another reason to love this bunch of puppies!
Puppies first day outside
Today the puppies explored the outside world for the first time and loved it. Their resemblance to their mama’s personality is evident – these puppies are outgoing, happy, and friendly. Nice combination. Afterward they were all exhausted and crashed out. Then as I went it for the last time tonight and fed Chloe most of them woke up and were climbing out of their bed area to see what their mama was doing. I put some dry food into a few bowls and all of them were very interested. I always wonder how much of these first dry food meals actually make it into the puppies tummies…mostly they seem to just mouth the kibble and spit it out again. But everyone was very excited, with much tail wagging going on. And them, by a happy accident as two puppies were wrestling, they discovered that some of the bowls hold water! They lapped at it as they’ve learned to lap their formula.
I always love this time because it signals the move from formula and soaked kibble to just good ole dry kibble – making for a much easier to clean up meal time.
What is interesting this time around is that I’ve found myself SO much less stressed than usual. It took me awhile to remember my routine but now it is very doable and I find myself enjoying just sitting and looking at them more than I remember at 4 weeks with the other litters. I have let go of a lot of my perfectionism, as silly as that sounds. For example, I no longer change the papers immediately when a pup pees – now I wait till the papers are pretty well peed-upon and then change them. Don’t get me wrong – cleanliness is still a priority, but I don’t worry about things as much. And therefore I seem able to get a lot more done. That is a good reminder for me.
