7 week pupdate

7 weeks has arrived faster than I could have imagined. At the end of this week, the puppies will go to their forever homes. This week was exhausting, so I am feeling torn between giddy excitement about having a puppy-free house (and the chance at a great night's sleep) and desperate sorrow about having to say goodbye to my furry babies. Tioga has weened her puppies, thought they will do anything to try and squeak out a few more drops of milk. The puppies are also doing marvelously well with house training. They are up a lot at night either crying to go out or begging Tioga to reconsider the whole weening thing. Tioga loves engaging the pups in enthusiastic wrestling matches and games of chase. They have been spending a lot of time outside exploring and visiting with neighbors and their dogs. For this weeks "growth chart" pictures Squirrel and Mudge are in the basket I carried them both in when they were small and we went to visit Daniel and Sophie's schools. I can't believe that just a few short weeks ago both of them fit in this basket at the same time with plenty of room to spare!

Squirrel
birth weight: 15.8 oz, weight at 7 weeks: 13 lbs 13.4 oz
You might be wondering if Squirrel and Mudge lived up to their names. Squirrel was named after the main character in A Dog's Life. In the book, a stray dog gives birth to puppies in an old chicken coop. She names the two surviving pups after the most important things in her world, Squirrel and Bone. One day, the mom goes out to find food and never returns. Squirrel and Bone are left to survive without their mom, but when the two are separated, Squirrel must make it on her own. Our Squirrel has the same strong, brave personality as the character in the book. She is trusting and loving of all people and extremely curious (which in the book, sometimes gets the main character into trouble - our girl, too!) We know that our Squirrel will have a "happily ever after" life like that of the dog in the book.

Yes that is Dakota's bed that Squirrel has taken over. She climbs right up on top of him and pesters him until he gets up and leaves and then she snuggles in his big huge bed for a nap!


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Mudge
birth weight: 15.2 oz, weight at 7 weeks: 13lbs 14 oz
Mudge is the namesake of a beloved family dog from the Henry and Mudge series. He personifies (or dog-ifies) the character to a tee, minus the major dog drool that the character Mudge, a Mastiff, possesses. Mudge's boy Henry has such a special bond with his dog and the series explores lots of different situations where the two explore their world, face problems, learn and grow together. We know that our sweet Mudge will make a wonderful special friend to the young people in his forever family. We hope that Mudge and his "kids" become the best of friends just like Henry and Mudge.

Mudge's favorite sleeping spot is in the pile of shoes and boots by our back door.

In the last storm a large limb from our birch tree snapped off into the dog yard. They have been having so much fun breaking off the branches. Too bad they can't cut it into nice sized chunks for the fireplace. :)

Squirrel loves hurling herself off the front porch into the soft snow in the garden.

Squirrel hiding in the trees

Mudge guarding the garden shed.

Tioga pouncing at the puppies.

Check out Squirrel's choppers!

She looks a little guilty about that last photo...attacking mom!

The best part of our week has to be that Dakota has finally decided to give the puppies a chance. He really thinks they are fun. They even got to play on Uncle Dakota's pillow without him running away.

The kids are going to have a hard time saying goodbye to these little cuties.