One might say that one dog is enough, but not I! I’m a fur-mom if three! My labradoodle Bailey, my poodle Baxter, and my Bernadoodle Maisy are my constant companions, playmates, exercise groupies, dinner dates, and snuggle buddies! 🐾🐾🐾
Once a year, Bailey or Maisy (eventually) will have a litter of puppies….in spring to summer months when I’m home daily. There is nothing more precious that cuddling a newborn puppy and watching him/her grow into their personality and pawz. 🐾🐾🐾
Bailey has delivered the first three and has gotten them clean and feeding as she continues to labor until all eight puppies are born. 🐾🐾🐾
The sweet pile of puppies cozy next to mom as she nurtured them. I love to begin getting to know them even at this young age. Holding each one, watching them fill out. Noticing which ones are larger/smaller or some that are skittish while others will sense you and gurgle a tiny growl. By the three to four week mark I begin the naming process. I usually begin with a theme idea. While last years litter were named after the Avengers, this year I decided on spices! It was fun to observe and then know which spice name/flavor matched the behavior of the pup. The end result, is the photo shoot! Once puppies are 4-5 weeks old, I make my own back drop and set up a cute photo set. Here are this years with names attached! 🐾🐾🐾
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The result is always so fun and adorable! ♥️ What could be cuter than a basket of puppies with a puppy kisses tag?
The next 3-4 weeks are when I begin teaching words like, “treat” “potty” “outside” “in” “come” “eat” “hungry”…they learn quickly through repetition and practice. Notice, I didn’t spend time teaching names…I only name them for ME. I know that whomever will be their forever family will want that honor, so I focus elsewhere. I begin the daily structured schedule of feeding, potty time, playtime, and socialization. 🐾🐾🐾
At the end of the 8-9 weeks I have successfully found each puppy an adoptive family who will love them forever. While this is hard to do because I’ve become attached to them, I always focus on how happy their family will be with them and how loved they will feel. By the time the last puppy last left, I’m exhausted, relieved but tearful because I may not see them again. Establishing a relationship with my adoptive pet parents is important to me….so when some are happy to stay in touch and send pictures of their progress and growth my heart is warmed. Nothing is more gratifying than hearing how much they love them and how well they are doing. ♥️🐾🐾🐾
Here are a few of the happy, and spoiled little babies on their new homes!
Last years successes…🐾🐾🐾
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