Full Bassetty Behavior

 As we are approaching the six weeks mark the Candies are all showing real Basset behaviors more and more. This morning at eight we opened the pen so that the babies could go outside with Lilly and Pixie. )It is just a whole lot easier to change out bedding without twenty-eight little feet helping the process.) They all came out of their pen quickly and ran as a group for the front door. This is new. Yesterday they came out in a trickle, a few didn't seem interested at all, and then they sort of milled around in the dining room until we picked them up one at a time and took them outside. 

Yesterday a few of the have good mastery of the stairs out front. When we built the stairs we set the stair height at seven inches because it makes for an easier climb, but the easier climb is still a bit much for the babies at first. Eventually they figure out using their forelegs to do the first part of the lift and then catching a hold with a back foot. This morning had all seven going down stairs and four going up. And when we ask Lilly to take them inside she lead the way as the four ran along after her after climbing all the way up. We helped the other three  and they ran in to catch Mom as well. So the babies are well aware of outside and eager to go, eager to return. A big improvement over carrying them all out and then carrying them all back in. 

Everyone is wrestling, if they are awake, and dreaming if they are asleep. But it isn't very quiet these past few days. We're hearing a few barks, quite a bit of growling, and even heard on little howl from someone, along with the puppies talking a chirping that has been the norm for a few weeks. Soon there will be a lot more barking.

Personalities are beginning to emerge as well. There are a few who are intredip explorers, they push the envelope as to how far from the front door they will roam and lead others away to the edge of safety. A couple are loners, more interested in whatever they find interesting. These are independant types. And then there's those whose favorite thing is climbing up and down stairs, because they can and others can not. These stand on high and taunt the less fortunate into games of "King of the Mountain" that they alone can win. Soon there will be retribution and a more fair game to play.

Nobody has been to the botttom of the stairs yet, down into the world of plants and dirt clods to chew on. They are all looking down there where all of the big dogs settle down for naps. And there have been a few who tunbled down  a stair level or two and needed help getting back to the group. But so far there's an invisible frontier nobody seems to want to cross.

By next week everyone will begin running up and down stairs, and the yard immediately at the bottom of the stairs will become the new playland. Things are so much more fun and getting better all of the time. 

The Candies went for a Car Ride

We got everyone loaded up for a trip to the Banks Vet and everyone was just great. We had one very minor overbite and one flea that probably jumped on at the clinic. Nothing else of note. 

So we wormed everybody this morning and flea dropped the big dogs for safety's sake. And we checked babies carefully for anything creepy crawly.

Crate Training the Candies

We put a crate into the pen two days ago and the Candies are spending time in there. This morning all seven were in at one time. We threw a blanket over the top of the crate so it's a bit like a cave in there.

If they have a safe place to hide out they use it. If you need to lock them in for a little while, so long as the door is usually open they will like having a place to go.

All of Our Puppies are Taken

 We thank everyone expressing an interest in taking one of our Basset babies into their family. But all of our puppies now have future furever homes. Barring something unforseen, we have closed the Wait List and won't be notifying Wait List people from this day forward.

We usually have two litters each year, though this is a natural process and nature has a way of throwing us curve-balls occasionally. Our next scheduled pairing is Lemonhead Lucy and Rocky Rhodes and expected to be a near to Christmas delivery date. It is possible that we might wait until Spring of next year for this pairing to allow Lucy more time between litters if the Vet. thinks it a goood idea.  Please let us know if you wish to be put onto our next Wait List so that we can notify you when things begin to take shape. 

Aunty Pixie

Pixie has taken up the job of Aunty for the International Candies. She keeps an eye on them whenever they go outside. There's an Aunty for every litter.  Since the babies can range far and wide and harrass Lilly every chance they get, Pixie has been in there.

I uploaded this video to YouTube and had to delete the music. The App left something behind so I put this one up directly to this BLOG. 

The Candies First Meal Video

 I'm just starting to play around with my YouTube channel. I've been thinking about it for years, just never done any of it.  I had ROger Miller music on the video but had to delete the music to get Youtube to publish it. The app deleted most of the music, but left something behind. 

Sunshine Surprise

We took everyone out to the front porch for ten minutes in the evening sunshine. This is an adventurous lot. They don't seem worried in the least way. Tomorrow there's going to be imagery, I promise.

The big news came from Reisen. Up until we saw him in full sun did his beautiful blue eye shine like a jewel. The "one blue eye" thing is called heterochromia, a rarity in the world and another reason to love Reisen.  This is not a problem, just a lovely little flaw that makes this one special. The lore surrounding this is that he can see into the future, as well as the past, and see spirits when they are around.

Tails Up!

 Another milestone. When the Candies get old enough to start feeling confident about their world their little tails go upward. This is the default position of a Basset tail: up and waggy. This morning everyone is running hither and thither with their tails up and wagging.  Love it!

Yesterday Ann put puppy toys into the pen and a few of them have started playing with them.  I'll try to get some pictures . . . The babies also have their noses in the water dish. Not drinking, just seeing what's there. A day after they start drinking we will begin putting soft puppy chow into their diet. 

One Little Indian (pending deposit)

We will have only one little boy still available after this morning. 

Pocki, a lovely tri colored male, is the last puppy.
Someone has to be the last one.

Worming Day

We do a worming treatment three times every litter. And we also treat our own hounds at the same time, just in case. Worms aren't really a big problem, especially if you stay on top of things.

This morning was treatment one, the first thing they've tasted that wasn't from Mom. They will get their first puppy chow soon so worming now means better digestion once real food shows up. We're watching for them finding the water dish. Once they find it we can begin suuplimenting Mom feeding with something a bit more solid.

Awareness

This morning the Candies all became very aware of things, as things. They have been playing gently and wandering around a bit. But for the most part everyone is sort of poking around and wondering what things are. This morning it seem they have figured out what is going on. Lilly has been able to walk in and out of the pen so far, but now that they understand what's happening this will become much more dificult.

The puppies are also understanding that Mom isn't just a source of food so this morning they were all bundled together in a tight pile of fur. Not for breakfast, but for comfort alone. It isn't cold in the morning so comfort and companionship are more likely their motivation fro balling themselve up with Lilly. This is quite a big step in their development and  Lilly is very happy about it.

In a week we expect the pups will get vaccines and be allowed outside for the first time. We can also let people handle the pups with washed hands. So exciting.

Bubba (top left) was visited by his new Mom this weekend.
He weighed just over three pounds and is quite a chunk of Baby Basset.
Everyone else is doing very well, but not nearly as big.