My squishy squashers are turning into little romping, roaming, bellies off the ground, vocal little little big kids.. or at least they think they are. The volume of their voices this week has cranked up and I can hear them calling before I even call back to them "Puppy, puppy, puppy!" I call back to test out the moment their hearing of the outside world has taken place. They bodies stop, they head tilts to the side and I say "hello my darling little one, welcome to the big loud world. Let's get busy"

Music gets turned up, soundtracks of city noises, fireworks, white noise, brown noise and everything in between gets playing continuously as their hearing is definitely starting to change. Their daily stroller walks are filled with nature sounds, birds, dogs barking, horses talking, cats saying hello and the odd car passing down the driveway. Outside time with the wind blowing by is spectacular for these little ones. Going outside to meet Daddy and the other dogs has taken place multiple times. This will soon transition this week into playtime in the puppy yard as the pups get bigger.

More water exposure was continued this week, potty trays and water bowls got introduced and plenty of sunbathing was had by everyone. What a glorious week we've had!

Everyone is doing absolutely fabulous. Personalities are not only starting to surface but behaviors are starting to repeat which is so intriguing and so fun to watch blossom. Some are content to just lay back and sleep, some are just as content to sit back but they are observing. Others are rodding around seeing what is new and what they can explore next. While others are slowing walking around saying hello to everyone. I've spent countless hours everyday sitting with them this week watching their antics and noting everything each one has up their sleeve.

Sleeping is still the all time most favorite pass time around here. All this growing at an extremely rapid rate requires sleep sleep and some more sleep. Cayenne is totally off my radar now as she has not only caught up to everyone but is now 5th out of 11 on her litter weight chart. She is now living back with her Spice siblings. The Beach Babes are gigantic, big, fat and beautiful. My biggies in that litter are leading the pack for the 'littles' next to them even though there aren't really any littles in that group. This photo shows the Bug Babies mixed in with the Beach kids for a couple of hrs. to start the transition in combining these litters which will take place completely by the end of this week. The Bug Babies need motivators to get them up and moving. Since there are only 3 Bugs, they are topping the scales and trying to pass everyone which isn't always the best for their growth. They are doing great at getting their legs under their fat bellies but aren't very motivated to do so. Combining the litters will push them past their comfort level, give them some higher motivation to fight for the milk bar(s) and give them the chance they deserve to socialize with more litter mates.

The baby Bug Box got broken down just yesterday opening up their nursery. Soon the middle partition will also be removed and these 2 mamas can tag team on these 10 babies. These girls are perfectly content to do so and are extremely happy mamas.

Solid food was introduced to the Spice & Beach kids yesterday. The second their noses picked up the scent of food the golden in them kicked into full force and off they went! No hesitation whatsoever at diving in with noses, front feet and shuffling around the bowl. Group feedings in this fashion will only take place for a few days until they get used to this introduction. We will then transition over to individual feedings in crates so each pup gets exactly what they need and they don't feel the need to fight and race through their food. What fun was had!

I hope everyone had a grand, safe and happy 4th of July. Ours was a bit rough around here. The puppies did fantastic but the big dogs were challenged. Regular fireworks were going off in our neighborhood which they were handling very well, but by the time the sun was going down the M80 bombs came out and completely sent the dogs (and myself for that matter) into hysterics. Everyone grouped up together in the nursery space and we spent our evening hanging out together trying to soak in each others comfort as the 'bombs' continued outside. I spent the next few hours into the wee hours of the morning laying with them, under them and around them until everything died down. The next morning, the energy had settled, the sun was shining and we embraced a whole new day ahead.

This upcoming week will be filled with food, exercise, sleeping, playing, food, more sleeping, exploring, sniffing, singing, food and well .. more food!

I'm hoping to see so many of you at the Grand Reunion on Sat.! More than a few handful of you have let me know you are coming and can't to have their 'cream puff' reunite with their brothers and sisters.

Haller Dog park - This upcoming Sat. July 12th 12 noon - 3pm. Come together to play, run, visit, swim in the water and more!

1100 West Ave. Arlington

The Arlington street fair is also taking place in town that day so come early as the traffic getting into town is going to be slower than usual. Walk the street fair before or after our get together and make a whole day out of this event. It's going to be an extraordinary day!

Here's some photos to help guide your way in.

Surrounding this grand reunion is also my 1st group of puppy visits for families. So if I don't post another update here until Mon. ..or Tues. of next week, please grant me grace as things are picking up pace around here!