Can't believe how time is flying by with these guys...how is it possible they are already 2.5 weeks old?!
Every day they get a bit more coordinated and are beginning to focus their eyes and track movements. They also appear to be hearing more, and are responding to sounds as their little ears open up.
"Zombie Play" has begun! This is our affectionate name for their attempts at play - which mostly involve staggering around and gumming each others' heads, legs, and butts...and of course, gnawing on mama dog, too! We're even getting some little growls and barks...they're starting to become little dogs.
They'll start to be weaned to solid (raw) food in the next week or so, as they are already showing some interest in nosing around in mama Dots' bowl. Lots more info. on food coming in another post, so stay tuned!
You'll notice in the upcoming pics and videos that we've left dewclaws on, as we've done with our last 3 litters. After a lot of research, and keeping 3 pups with them on, we agree that they are actually a useful, vital digit. There are multiple ligaments that run from dewclaw to wrist, and those help support the dog's entire wrist when turning and running fast (a whippet specialty). Add to that, it's starting to be shown in the agility world that dogs without their dews have a higher incidence of arthritis in their wrists - even at young ages!
Here's more info. on dews in general - check out the pictures in the first one - pretty amazing:
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/documents/dewclaws-injury.pdf
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-things-you-need-know-about-dog-dewclaws
https://www.rescuedogs101.com/dog-dewclaw-removal/
Ok...I know after all that reading, you're all anxious to get on to the good part - the pics!
A bit softer focus on most of these, as we're flash-free for those newly opened peepers:
They are getting so big!! Their little legs are so tiny compared to their big bodies. Soooooooo cute!
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