Daybreak Chinooks Puppies: 12/14/09

Monday, December 14, 2009

Hudson, the Daddy...

I was just re-reading the 3-week pupdate and thought that my comment about Squirrel seeming to be a lot like her mother may have sounded a bit one-sided. After all, if Hudson wasn't such a "go-getter" (read that GO-GET-HER!), we wouldn't have any puppies at all! We only spent a long weekend with Hudson and his wonderful human family, but we got to know Hudson , hmmm... intimately. (smirk!)

Hudson has the classic Chinook temperament - a gentle giant. The breeding was an adventure for both the Smith family and us, as we are all novices to breeding. If it wasn't for the good nature of both Hudson and Tioga, it would have been a very daunting task.

Hudson is also quite athletic, taking part in daily bike-jor trips with his humans and his canine "brother". We hope both pups have acquired that drive!

In my best guess, I would say Mudge carries a lot of his Daddy's lovable nature and Squirrel has his outgoing friendliness. They both are sure to bring loads of joy to their forever families with the combined sweetness of both parents.

Hudson is one handsome dude!

3-week pupdate

This week was all about fun. Mudge and Squirrel are silly curious puppies! We are having a ball watching them explore the world, wrestle, walk (and tumble - a lot!), call for their mom and try, try, try to make Dakota like them. They have been lapping goat's milk. The first couple attempts were goofy and messy, but they seem to be getting a better hang of what to do each time. Dakota seems to enjoy being around for leftovers, but when the puppies wobble over to check him out he does a crazy quick-step out of the room. (Sort of looks like a cat trying to quickly walk out of a puddle of water) He is warming up to them, slowly but surely!

Squirrel seems to love being out and about. She boldly explores the area around her when we have her out of the whelping box. She smells and walks and bobbles her sweet little head around. She seems to have the same "go get 'em" personality as her mom. Mudge is a bit more reserved. He doesn't like it when Tioga is out of his line of vision. When she leaves the whelping box, he yelps noisily. It is a lovely excuse for me to need to pick him up...am probably spoiling him rotten, but he does settle quickly when reassured. Tioga has struck a balance between being her old self and being a devoted mom. She is spending more time having fun with Dakota, romping in the snow and playing tug-a-war with toys. She still has an immediate response to the squeal of a puppy. The moment she comes in from outdoors, she heads straight for the "puppy room" to check on her babies.