A RED LETTER DAY

Claudia, Larry and Pika

Saturday the 28th was a very special day:  Not only did the pups turn 8 weeks, but Bodacious Bonny Blue Boy, aka Pika, met his forever mom and dad for the first time.

FIVE O'CLOCK AND ALL IS WELL!

On Monday at 5pm, we took the little people to our vet, for their Wellness Test, together with their first shots and deworming.

I must confess that Grandma and Grandpa experienced some angst wondering how the little ones would cope with the whole experience. Well, we needn't have worried. The firecracker quintet were supremely unconcerned about being in the crate in the car for the first time and greeted Dr. U. with great enthusiasm.. Not a wimper was heard, not a flinch was given as our brave little soldiers were examined, temps taken and shots administered. We were very proud of our babes.

The worst part of the whole process was the heat wave we were experiencing for the first time this summer -  96 F!  So as soon as we got home, it was into the pool for a welcome cool-down after a thirst quenching drink from mama  Here are some pics of five beloved little campers:

Hanging pup

 

 

 

Rumble

 

Bring it on

I'm waiting!

Mom get's in on the act

THE HARD CRATE - HOME SWEET HOME!

On Saturday we introduced the pups to a hard crate:  We put it in the corner of the whelping box,  to the intense interest of everybody.  We simply left the door open and placed some toys and a puppy towel in it and soon little folk were investigating the crate:

Life is full of endless possibilities.

As you can see, the crate seems to have passed muster! 

THE FIRECRACKER FIVE ARE 7 WEEKS OLD

We can't believe it, but our little ones are seven weeks old and are almost ready to leave the nest.  On Saturday, August 21st, AKC judge June Smith carried out the Structure Test, ably assisted by Linda Lang.  We are so grateful to these kind and knowledgeable ladies who gave up their Saturday to conduct the Structure Test on our pups.  It was a privilege to observe them in action

We are happy to report that everyone passed with flying colours;  No one has any structural problems that would prevent them from having an active, productive and competitive future.

To mark their 7th week irthday, here are some of our favourite pics of each pup:

Goofy Goldie Boy

Gregarious Gretna Green Boy

Rambunctious Red Girl

Precocious Pink Girl

Bodacious Bonny Blue Boy

PUPPY POOL PARTY

Puppy bookends

After introducing the pups to the water sprinkler, the next logical step was to let them frolic in water.  Here they are, as usual led by mama, taking to water like proverbial ducks. The pictures speak for themselves - fun was had by all:

Mama shows them how it's done

The Firecracker Quintet hits the pool

Effortlessly in

Effortlessly out

Retrieving the mini water bottle

Goldie practising for the real thing

The more, the merrier

Just hanging out keeping cool

And always, mama is never far away

THE FABULOUS CLIFFORD SLIDE

Like generations of privileged Goldie puppies before them, the Firecracker Quintet have had a glorious time playing on Grandma Suzanne's Clifford Slide. I like to think that the slide struck a chord in Kelly Ann's memory as she, without any encouragement, and with great enjoyment, demoed the slide to the intense interest of her little ones.

Deja Vu!

As the pups soon learned, the Clifford Slide has many permutations:  Here Blue Boy surveys the world imperiously from the top of the slide;  presumably vertigo is not a problem.
  

I'm the king of the castle!

  The slide also functions as a dual carriage way:

L:ike ships that pass in the night!

For the really adventurous pup, they can try going up the slide - rather like going up the escalator the wrong way.  Gosh those little hamhocks come in handy::

Hmmm., the steps would have been easier

And when all else fails, one can always take refuge under the slide

A safe house!

SALUTE TO THE PIG RAIL - WHAT A WONDERFUL INVENTION

Let's raise a glass to whoever invented the pig rail:  A low railing that skirts the inner perimeter of the whelping box, which allows pups to roll under the rail to safety, away from a tired mama who may flop down and not the see a little one.

How they love the pig rail.  As little people, they would shelter under the pig rail, secure in the comfort it offered.

As big little people, they have not been able to fit under the rail for some time;  in fact all they can do now is to tuck their heads under the rail. Still, sometimes that's all it takes:

Did the pigrail shrink?

Of course the pig rail also serves as a really fine chewie:

And sweet Goldie finds it just the right height for a head rest, when he's not a the water bowl!