It's Thursday but...

As far as work it is my Friday. Baer tests are scheduled for the pups tomorrow midday and then Sue (arrives from MN later in the day to visit with us and see Nati's puppies. Nati lived with Sue before she came to live with us in Ohio. Sue MacMillan has Paisley Dalmatians (see link to her blog & website) and owns Argus, Nati's Dad. We are looking forward to seeing Sue; even though it will be a short visit we'll pack lots into it. It will be lively around the house and farm this weekend since in addition to Sue we will get visits from some future pup owners and some of our family. And Nati's Nine will be 6 weeks old! Wow in just a couple weeks they will start leaving to start lives with new families.

A good friend asked for a picture of the pups with Dave so I thought I would oblige! :-).  Also added some other random puppy pics
Until next time....

Today's Your Birthday! Nati's Birthday that is...

There is lots to write but little time. Monday's come way to quick. Today is a special day; Nati's 4th Birthday. She sends greetings of Licks, Woofs & Wags to her other siblings.
Didn't blog this weekend - because too much happening Nati's Nine turned 5 weeks Saturday and they had several new experiences and we had Nati's Birthday party a day early so Nati's human friends could attend. Plenty of 4 legged friends with nine pups! :-)

One of the pups new experiences was having a large play area set up in the open room above our detached garage/ barn. This building has many names The Man Cave, Dave's Cave, and Nati's house... it truely went to the dogs this weekend. Dave set up a large area for them to run and play since the weather was way to ugly to put them in the yard. Then yesterday they got to experience grass for the first time...
I've included some shots to tell the rest of the story.

Pups Pedigree with Pictures of their Mom & Pop!

If I haven't mentioned it before Nati & James both have their CHIC numbers, here is their pedigree if you're interested and the litter has been Futurity nominated for the 2012 DCA National Specialty.

Transitions... and "I Know That ...When....! "

It is raining and dreary here. What crazy weather we have had this whole year, wettest spring I can remember ( we set all kinds of records) then it dried up and got hotter than heck( again set more records) for the summer and now when we are supposed to be transitioning into a nice Fall we are having the rain we should have gotten this summer... Ugh! And for the record I would prefer that we stop setting records and just have normal.

Speaking of transitions,we are starting to have major transitions in the Nati Plus Nine camp.... I think no matter how much Nati still wants to nurse that she may be a wits end...the pups teeth and size are starting to make it nearly impossible for her to get comfortable so we see the natural transition of her watching more from a distance, not staying as long, nurses standing up but in her time she does still lay down and let them have their way with her! :-) We have been supplementing the pups diet anyway several times a day so now an additional feedings will be added since it appears that Nati may be attempting to be slowly weaning the nine on her terms! We may soon also be making the transition from whelping box to the next stage setup within the next few days - we'll see; I'll write more when it actually happens.

I can't remember for sure but I think on one my first blog posts I may have commented that I knew that Nati was very, very pregnant when... she didn't want to jump on and snoop around the hay bales in the barn. I also had said to more than one person that I knew she was pregnant when she didn't want to jump in my arms anymore...! Those of you that read this that know Nati have seen her antics of jumping full front into my arms... not a trick I taught her, one she was born with I think! :-) Just like how she jumps high in the air like a jumping bean or Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Also, something she came with... and we love. All I have to say is all future owners of her pups should be prepared she may have passed on these genes.! Well here are some current I know thats...
*I know that Nati is no longer pregnant and is feeling more like her pre-puppy self when she jumps in my arms! She did this for the first time since about the 3rd week of her pregnancy a day or two ago. :-)
* I know that Nati is no longer pregnant and starting to work herself back into shape when she jumps on top of a Hay Roll to survey the surroundings of the farm! Yesterday evening we walked passed the hay rolls and instead of being enthralled with the grasshoppers she decided to climb the hay roll. If you are a friend on facebook there is a picture of her doing this last summer/fall! :-)
Have a great day... and until next time.

How Much Will A Mother Put Up With? And Random Puppy Mischief!

Our life is crazy busy without pups and it is off the charts busy with pups so I won't write much but have more pictures to share. I
The total weight of the pups is probably near that of Nati's weight now so when they want they can push her around :-( but somehow she doesn't seem to mind :-). The one picture is Nati nursing (almost on her back) after being pushed off the mat and another Hot Pink (Little Nati) is in her face; so tell me how much will a mother put up with? Right now it seems like a lot - I'd be heading for the hills, LOL!

Have a great day ... and until the next episode of the Nati Plus Nine Show!

A Rare Quiet Time for Nati!

A Beautiful Fall Day ...

It has been a beautiful fall day  today which has been great to celebrate the 4 Week Birthday for Nati's Nine. We took them outside for the first time and it was a great day for the experience; the sun was shining with temps in the 70's. A couple were a little intimidated at first but all warmed up to the new environment in short order. We also graduated them to the larger saucer dish that Laura loaned us for their supplemental meals  They seemed to enjoy the new feed bowl and licked it clean!
Yesterday evening we got the chance to watch Nati discipline one of the pups for the first time ( at least the first we got to see). Hot Pink was chewing on Nati's front leg and when it got too much, Nati stopped in quickly with a stern push with her nose and that was that!
The Nati plus Nine Puppy TV show gets more fun and exciting to watch on a daily basis. hope you are enjoying the highlights.....

Getting to eat out of a regular puupy feed bowl.



Kathy with pups outside for the first time!



Pictures are Better Than Words...

Random pictures from the past few days say more about what has been going than I could put into words!

Not a staged picture - He actually climbed these steps at 3 wk - 4 days!







Food give me food.... and they did clean their plate!

Pictures from Saturday 9-10-2011

Orange Boy

Blue Boy

Light Blue Boy

Light Pink  Girl

Yellow Girl

Purple Girl

Red Boy

Sparkle Girl

Hot Pink Girl