Puppy update from Aster’s family
Here is an update on Aster from his new forever family. We love getting these updates to share with you!
We are all trying to adjust to our new routine and have been very busy! : ) Aster is doing wonderful.
He was a little shy on the way home and cried a little. We stopped before we got on the expressway so he could do “his business” , he was much more interested on chewing on a piece of mulch he found…so we waited and soon enough we were on our way home. He had a busy afternoon discovering the backyard, bushes, flowerpots and especially the hanging flower pot. He thinks this is a fun thing to play with as it swings back at him and he can rip the peat moss out of it : ) too funny. We have some “puppy proofing” to do. He sure has gotten himself comfortable running through the house and knows where to go to get outside. He has even barked at the screen door. He loves to be outside and exploring. He has a lot of energy and is very curious, not the shy, quiet puppy I first met. : ) We are having so much fun with him and getting to know his personality.
He also likes when the curtains blow with the windows open…so he thought he’d catch them….and pull on them. He sure is a little stinker. He does not like his crate….he rather sleep next to it. We’re working on that. He is eating good and potty training well….we have got the schedule down pretty good.
Today he loved the rain. It must be the retriever in him. He lay down looked up at the sky and then tried to catch the raindrops. I wish I had taken a video, it was priceless! I stood there holding my umbrella, while he was just blissfully happy. He was definitely in no hurry to go inside.
Chloe and pups are settling in
Here are some photos and comments of Chloe and her puppy’s new homes and lives. I so appreciate everyone who has contacted me with updates – it is so helpful to my sad heart to hear how well everyone is doing. Happy new lives puppies!
Angel (formerly Violet)
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Angel (formerly Violet) did really well last night, no crying. She had a bit of whimpering when we got her home yesterday but is really doing well this morning. She is playing outside with the girls and bouncing around with a ball we bought her. She is quite precious and we really love her. Thank you again, she is a real joy for us.
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Jackson (formerly Jacob) is doing well. He’s obviously lonely and wondering where the heck he is, but he is happy. He’s played with us, and ate well, pooped & peed outside, and is doing fairly well at sleeping in the crate. We’ll see how night #1 goes.
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We are absolutely loving having the addition of Poppy to our family — she had a big day – was at a baseball game, a pitching lesson — many visits from friends and getting used to her new home — and all through this she remained as sweet as I could ever imaging a puppy being and also a bit tired — we are going to try for a more restful day at home tomorrow. We are so grateful that you helped to allow us to have her in our family — and even our cat seems to be to ok so far : )
***************Jubilee (formerly Tulip)
Hi Kristin!! The first 24hrs have been just wonderful!! About half way home she started to whimper a little, but as long as you kept petting her she was fine. The introduction to her new home was fun. Jubilee (formerly Tulip) was a little unsure at first but my pack was excited to see her and welcomed her right in. We brought her inside to show her her new stomping grounds and she had a blast playing with all her new toys and friends. Its so funny how the play hard for a little while then it’s right back to nappy time. I thought my old lab would take awhile to warm up but she has been great from the get go!! She is already playing nicely with her, I have not seen her play with a dog like that in a long time. Jubilee only woke up twice during the night to let us know she had to go out. She has only had one accident and that was my fault for not taking her right out when she woke up (oops). I will keep you up to date as we go.
***************Amber (formerly Chloe)
I just wanted to give you a quick update on Amber (formerly Chloe). We spent Sunday with her keeping her busy (as you suggested). My husband and I took her on at least 3 walks (total of 5 miles). The boys played with her in the yard. She spent quite a bit of time outside but also made it clear that she wanted to spend time inside as well. She did pace around the house for a good 20- 30 minutes before curling up at my feet in the kitchen. In the evening she paced again for about 20 minutes and then sat at our feet in the family room. She slept on the floor of my son’s bedroom – she made it quite clear to us that she had no desire to sleep in her crate. it was kept open with the blanket in it. She was very cute when we attempted to lure her into the crate. We let her smell her treat and then placed it in the crate. She kept her 2 hind legs out of the crate and stretched to reach and eat the treat and then immediately backed out of the crate. She slept well. We have her on a schedule which should help with the adjustment. I walked her at 6am and she was wonderful (did not pull on the leash). Today she is out in the yard with the boys chasing after the tennis ball (but not returning it).
Chloe and her pups have all moved on
Chloe left today. I was so sad. Again, as with all my mamas, I cried. She is such an amazing dog. A true angel. I hope she does well in her new family. I hope they give her the kindness, safety, love, and protection she deserves. I hope they cherish her as much as I’ve grown to in this short one month. I hope they cherish her even more than I do. I have so many hopes for her. I hope she helps the family grow in their love for each other and for all animals. I hope she gives them the peace she carries with her. I hope her easiness and joyfulness infects their lives. I hope she is happy. I hope she remembers how much she was loved here. She did an amazing job. I know in a few months, when I can handle it, I will watch some of those videos of her playing joyfully with her pups and I will smile as I remember her. But for now I’m in mourning. It has been a rough day for me. I need a little break. My heart is full of emotions – sorrow, grief, relief, joy, gratitude…I am weary.
Two puppies have moved on
Well, two pups have left for their forever homes. I was sad to see them go and found myself trying to be busy to avoid feeling my feelings. They were the most active of the bunch, Lily and Tulip (now named Jubilee) and I will miss their presence in the puppy room. In two days the whole group will be gone and a new mama, scared, confused, and very pregnant will be here. Usually I take about a week to feel sad, cry as I clean the puppy room thoroughly, and enjoy my life. This time will be different and I wonder how I will attach to this new mama with Chloe still present in my heart?
 Lily |
 Tulip |
Winding down with Chloe and her pups
Well, this puppy group is finally ready to move on. I know it as I see them play more and more with each other and less with Chloe. They still try to nurse but their attempts are half hearted and easily redirected. For her part Chloe is continuing to show herself to be a sweet, loving mother. I will miss watching her mother these little guys. She is so gentle as she tells them to stop nursing, carefully biting their muzzles away growling under her breath. They respond by climbing on all over her, chewing her ears and tail and nuzzling up to her and drifting off to sleep. It is a wonderful, heartwarming thing to see.
calling in the puppies
They come to me now as I call them into the puppy room in the afternoon. I clap and say in a high pitched voice “Pup pup pup pup pup” and they come running. Last night after I walked into the puppy room and woke everyone up I put them outside to potty. Usually after dark I just let them pee in the room on the newspaper covered floor but I’m trying to get them ready to be house trained by their new families. They did great! First they were a bit disoriented but after a bit they all spread out to do their business. The adoptive families will have an easy time of training them I think.
Chloe’s puppies ready for their new homes
So the end of Chloe‘s group is upon us…the puppies have all been spoken for and I am so thrilled by our group of adoptive families. They are a special group and I feel like I’ve made some good friends in the process – I’m that comfortable with them! One family even watched the pups for me while I walked the dogs! Everyone’s willingness to be supportive of me has meant a lot too. So, to all of you I say thank you and LOVE your puppies forever. That will make my work worth it.
Now, deep breath, on to more puppies!
This will be the first time we’ve done a group of pups back to back and I must say that I’m feeling a little hint of anxiety about it. Chloe’s group has been SO easy and has gone so fast yet the last two weeks of every litter, weeks 6-8, are always SO much work. I literally fill two large garbage bags full of wet and poopy newspapers each DAY now. Two bags a day – think about it! It is crazy. Our garbage man must think we are so odd. So anyway, the end of the process is always so much work that I usually relish the quiet house, the clean puppy room and the grass growing back in the puppy yard, not to mention all my free time! I was looking forward to it, I must admit. But these things have a life and a process of their own. I have said “no” to taking on a litter before and I will again but this time I just sort of knew that another one was coming. I wasn’t surprised to see Michelle from H.E.L.P.‘s email saying that there were not one but two pregnant dogs needing a foster home. We can’t take more than one…can one of you? Let us know.
The puppies are piled up by the door crying to be let in so I must answer their calls…
