Every litter has special days. These are milestones we look for every time and there are quite a few. Two days ago we had scooters when they started moving in one direction. This morning we had toddlers and they were getting up on all four feet just to stand there for a minute. When this happens we no longer have to worry that someone might get squished because their little bones set themselves in the right places and the puppies get less squishy.
Tonight it is officially "Peepers". Imagine the first time you opened your eyes. Amazing. Their eyes are opening for the first time tonight and when we see their eyes for the first time we call out "Peepers", say hello, and make a fuss over it. They can see us. It's so cool. It's a big deal for them and they start seeing places they want to go check out and start moving toward things they want.
Peepers is also sort of a big deal for us because it signals our returning to a normal sleep routine. (I am posting this at 12:30 A.M. because my night shift is until two when Ann takes her turn.) We watch them 24/7 until Peepers when we can go to bed at a reasonable time and return to a normal morning too.
I'll get some pictures today when the sun is shining and they are all awake and looking around. Flash photgraphy is a pretty bad idea for new eyes.
Next up, ears will open and they will begin exploring their world as we release the hounds and remove their whelping pool.
This morning we have puppies walking like baby bears. The legs get under them and they move forward two steps before returning to swimming around on their bellies. The Internations Candies move very quickly at this stage of the game, compare to the first few days when they don't move well at all. But with their eyes and ears closed they tend to bump into things. Walking at one week is more about getting to Mom quicker than the next guy than it is getting somewhere in particular.
Lilly spends less and less time in the Whelping pool as days go by. They are good eaters and she empties out pretty quickly now, but as they begin moving faster the competition can get stiff and the babies insistent.
In a few days their eyes and ears will open fully and they can begin to learn how to use them. Yesterday we could see a few of them trying to force the eye lids open, but so far we don't see the dull reflection of new eyes. Once the eyes are open we'll remove the kiddie pool and things will get a whole bunch more interesting.
