The Daily Report (Updated)

One good thing about the temperature being below zero is that I do not have to rush to get the frozen raw food that was delivered yesterday in the house in a big hurry…

This is helpful because things have been a bit hectic and crowded in here as we transitioned the Bright Stars out of the whelping box.

Consider how one takes down a whelping box and puts up an entire pen in the same space — while managing ten puppies and their mom. Enter Suzanne — she did not just help with the photos!

The additional space allows us to use some of the wonderful things we have been gifted — like this structure that Lori made and sent to us a few years back…

And just wait until you see what Nova Sr. in Minnesota made and sent to the puppies!

We also have some really great toys that have been sent and will be coming out soon. So much gratitude to everyone in the Bright Stars/Moonshadows community — for your gifts, your texts, your emails, your good thoughts, and your laughter imagining what it must be like to have 10 + 10 puppies in the house. It all matters.

Three weeks is a magical age. Hearing is emerging and vision gets better and better. The puppies are mobile and interactive. This means it is time for them to start expanding their experiences and their minds with safe, manageable novelty.

You will begin to see a constantly changing assortment of experiences offered to the Bright Stars — things that they can successfully master at their own pace, thereby promoting competence and confidence.

When the Moonshadows hit three weeks, they will be engaging in the same processes.

For now, the Moonshadows are doing what they need to do — getting ready to take on the world.

Potty pads are in the center of the Bright Stars puppy paddock because when puppies wake up or stop eating, they drift away a bit and potty; having the pads in the middle maximizes hitting the target.

We use spendy human incontinent pads because they stay dryer than puppy pads when used. Since smell helps puppies know where to go (literally), there is a used one under the new ones to help support success.

And so all is both well and changing here as the puppies’ developmental needs and capacities change.

Life in fast forward.

Have a lovely day.

Evening Report & Photos

Congratulations to the Bright Stars’ Auntie Ruthie on her first Novice obedience leg. First trial, first leg — well done, Team Ruthie! Being a star runs in the family :)

Our Big News is that Claire ate an entire meal from a BOWL!!!! This is literally the first time in about two months that she has done that. Dare I hope that we are turning a hormonal corner?!