1
43 day old pups experience the great outdoors!
Its march 24th and the first day the temps have allowed us to bring the litter outside! Its 60 some degrees- unheard of for this time of year!
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2
The whole pack is out...
But the pups choose to stick close to Nana Sonja, their security blankie.
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3
Xena is on alert...
Even tho Xena has distanced herself from the pups, she is still very protective of them and is on alert for any danger to the pups.
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4
Its cold!
The cement slab is cold, but the pups begin to venture forth and explore.
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5
Auntie is on alert too...
Ruby keeps a keen ear out for Angus, the dog on the other side of the privacy fence. Angus' person throws a ball for Angus and it hits the fence; since Angus is panting and barking during his ball game, Ruby thinks he is trying to attack thru the fence. Angus does fence fight from behind the wooden fence, so Ruby is on guard, *just in case*.
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6
Nana chews her ball...
While the pups gather around her for security and warmth.
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7
Gurl with a curl takes a tinkle...
Dauntless goes potty on the gravel - just like a big dog! Dauntless also sports a tail that curls in to a ring, similar to that of a Basenji, but not nearly as tight - thus the title 'Gurl with a Curl'!
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8
Pups play..
On Mt. Sonja!
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9
Awwww!
They are so cute cuddling with their Nana! They love Sonja, and she clearly returns the sentiment!
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10
What's up?
Pups scatter from the bed from just a moment ago...
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11
It must be serious if Nana is seeing to the matter...
She doesn't move unless its really warranted!
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12
Ruby and Xena check too...
The pups take their cues from the adults - they want to check it out too!
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13
Lookit their tails....
The big to-do was a spat between cats (Goliath and Bupkiss , our neighbor 'Uncle' Stewart's cat, sometimes have issues), so no biggie . Each pup has reacted to the episode and their tails reflect how they are feeling, ie confident or not so sure about what they saw.
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14
Still not sure...
Jack and Defiant are still undecided - go settle or investigate the fence.
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15
Is that Angus?
Ruby is on alert, *just in case* the noise she heard over there is Angus.
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16
Nursery set up for 44 day old pups..
The play hut pieces were only $1.00 each at the 2nd hand store, and they make great props for toddlers of all species!
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17
Another view...
Of the props in the nursery, with Nemo in the play hut.
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18
What's up with Nana?
Dauntless inspects what Sonja has...
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19
GRR!
Everyone gives The Sonja space - she's got a beef rib bone and she intends to enjoy it alone!
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20
Ruby respects her mother from afar..
One way we help define roles in the pack is by honoring our alphas; only Sonja and Conan got bones. A pack is a dictatorship, and for Sonja its good to be Queen! Sonja enjoys demonstrating the priviledges of her higher rank, aaaaand also does a fine job teaching boundaries to the pups in the process.
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21
A good loud growl...
Scatters most of the pups!
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22
Jack, however....
Pups are programmed to test, test and retest their boundaries, and its the role of the pack elders (and human families) to define those boundaries. The dam sets the first boundaries for pups - bite inhibition and weaning - and the pack elders help define the other boundaries such as rank and priviledge. Jack is learning that his Nana holds more rank than he first imagined!
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23
I want, I want...
Jack learns that even tho he really wants it, he can't always have it. This lesson is critical as teaches the pups to cope with being frustrated; pups that learn how to cope with frustration tend to develop into more mentally stable adults.
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24
Later that night...
Pups are up from their nap and ready for more action! They want OUT of the nursery NOW!
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