1/7/25 - All pups are doing VERY well at 5 days old. 1st day of ENS exercises was today...with only four it was over with pretty quick. Mommy Rosie is doing very well too - eating like crazy, sleeping over night in her nest although she can get out any time she wishes. Pups are quiet for the most part - occasional squeels and wimpers of puppy dreams

1/20/23 Weve been busy cuddling and handling these pups in a structured setting. Mom is doing well - although I feel a little hardness in her boobies so we are covering them with cabbage a few times a day to stave off mastitis.   Rosies grandmom Althea had mastitis and i've noted a recurring theme with that condition in these lines. Glad we're keeping a male to further them.  I hear from Pippin the most. He's vocal in a good way. "Ash" is as stoic and serious as his dad Mithril.  Merry is just that - "Super Happy Fun time" is his mantra.  River is quiet, thoughtful, curious and confident.  3 week temp tests are on Thursday. We've decided to go with "Puppy Culture" protocols for this litter. Since there are only four, I'll have a good sense of what works and what doesn't. Heck, I might even improve an already stellar puppy-raising protocol.

1/27/25 These puppies are SOOOO much FUN!!!  After the 3 week temperament tests we started to introduce them to the world. Showing them novel objects and they've started eating solid food. Now, with a little more than 70 puppies under our belt, we are starting to notice a correlation between some of the temp test results and adult behaviors. For example those that have a low score with the "dangle", tend to not appreciate car rides. Ash was unaccepting of the dangle, being wiggly and even tried to free himself.  Ive had absolutely NO concerns about them or mom. Very healthy and self suffcient.  Quiet at night, they wake asking for mom to come feed them. She's still happy to oblige. Ash instigates the action, pouncing on his littermates when they are sleeping.  Pippin was the first one to escape the whelping box, now we can't keep him in. Merry seems to spend most of his energy finding things to eat and sleeping. River is always the quietest and least imposing. He's usually last to the milk bar and was the last one eating with the first meal. Takes his time.

​2/12/25 At almost six weeks old all four boys have a well-adjusted schedule, sleeping through the night.  We have been working with them with classical conditioning and sound proofing.  We take each puppy a few times a day and follow lessons recommended by Puppy Culture. These include coping with frustration, learning how to deal with stress and keeping their world in order.  Mom Rosie s doing exceptionally well, not having lost much of her undercoat yet.  Probably one of the most involved of all the moms we've ever had. She plays them and directs their play when one puppy gets a little rambunctious with another pup. So far, the puppies have handled a variety of treats and meats with no real reaction from either "end".

2/27/25 - Using Puppy Culture to raise these pups has been a game changer. They all retain their original personalities but I have the option of molding their coping mechanisms and behavior responses at a MUCH earlier age than I had before I started using PC.  Pups are 9 weeks old today and will receive their first round of shots as well as experience the grooming table, brushes and get to feel the blow dryer.  I expect all will do just fine. We'll make sure to take picture. Merlin is a "thinker", taking his time figuring out just how much trouble he can get into.   River is soft and wants nothing more out of life than to be petted on his widdo head.  Pippin is the adventurer - trailblazer and all round up and at em.   Merry? There'll be no up and at em is for another day.