Happy Birthday - we're four weeks old!

July 23: The pups turned four weeks old earlier in the week.  When I sat down to write this morning they were all sleeping in one large pile, surrounded by their toys.  Once they heard me at my desk they began to stir, and within minutes they are on the move--tugging on each others’ ears, tumbling and play-fighting (punctuated by fierce growls and indignant squeals), running to the side of the pen to greet me, and checking out their toys.  I rearrange the bedding in their pen and they are instantly curious.  Everybody arrives at the corner of the pen to observe this exciting new activity.  This morning they began to explore the spaces outside of their pen.  On the floor and out in the larger world, they moved in every direction, some heading for the kitchen, others behind the dining room curtains, and eventually Lime was discovered wedged into the corner of the dining room behind Sophie’s crate.  I call to them and they come at a run, tails wagging.  There is much interest in their toys and every few days I introduce something new.  Their top teeth have been coming in during the last week and in the next few days they will have their first taste of kibble, soaked in water and ground into small chunks since their teeth are still small.  After 15 minutes of exploration and much peeing on the kitchen and dining room floors, they begin to sleep where they lay so I scoop them up and return them to the pen.  Some seem to have favorite areas for napping. Navy has a special corner where he is often found alone, laying on a pile of teddy bears.  Little Pink has a favorite spot opposite on the fleece bed where she is often joined by a brother or sister. This morning it is Emerald whose head rests against LP’s belly.  The remaining siblings are in an opposite corner, laying on the grate of the pen. This is Lime’s favorite spot, his head tucked again a small towel.  Finally the fourth corner, which is covered by a small fleece pad, seems to be the spot where they most frequently relieve themselves. It's time to take some individual pictures of each of them to show how they have grown these past four weeks.