Krinkle Kids - just shy of 5 weeks

 Well, since the Colorado weather threw us a curve ball for an attempted puppy meet & greet, it's definitely time for a blog update.

The Krinkle Kids gained a bit more freedom this week.  They had their first exploration of the 'big' training room at the dog training facility, as well as being cut loose into our living room.

In both cases, they were rock stars - no fear!  They were content to explore for a bit, stretch their legs and try some sprinting (hilarious to watch as they discover what speed is...and in typical whippet fashion - they have no brakes!), and then collapse together in their typical puppy pile snuggle puddle.

This darn cold & wet weather will prevent them from exploring our outside world in the form of our backyard for a few more days, but they'll be all the more ready for that freedom when the time comes.  They have been outside in the dog run/kennel at Jen's office a few times to do their business, and they also show no fear in that environment.  

Old-timey breeders have a wives' tale called the 'Rule of 7's':  Basically, for well-rounded pups, by the time they are 7 weeks old, you want them to have at least:  met 7 new people, met 7 new dogs (other than their mom & dad & each other), eaten 7 different foods, walked on 7 different surfaces, etc.  They've already hit one of their 'rule of 7's' milestones (walking on 7 different substrates/surfaces).  

They all continue to gain weight and be chunky monkeys.  Just for comparison:

Average puppy weight at this age is 2058 grams (about 4.5 lbs).

Today's weights for the Krinkle Kids at 9am weigh-in:

Spinner:  2414 grams (5.32 lbs)

Tommi:  2379 grams (5.24 lbs)

Randolph (still our 'little' guy):  2256 grams (4.97 lbs)

Buggy Ding Dong:  2535 grams (5.58 lbs)

Smoochy:  2390 grams (5.26 lbs)     

And...on to the pictures!

Honorary Grandma Dog, 13.5 yr-old Bella - posing in our warm weather!

She has no idea what's about to happen to her warm, sunshiney yard.

Puppy Line Up like Sardines in a Can.  Front to back: Buggy, Randolph, Smoochy, Spinner, Tommi

Spinner re-enacts the giant squid scene from "20 Thousand Leagues Under the Seas".

"Arrrrgggghhhhh!!!  It's eating me!  Tommi, save me!"

"Just kidding."

Mama Dots takes a nap with Smoochy and Spinner.

Smoochy snugs.

Easiest weigh-in ever...when the normally-active Smooch sleeps right through it.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Attack of the whippet puppies!  Shortly after weigh-in, they mobbed me.

First day out in the living room - in typical whippet fashion, they played for a bit, and then gravitated toward the softest spot available.  From left:  Buggy, Tommi, Spinner, Smoochy.  

Where's Randolph?

Oh!  There he is - looking for trouble under the litter box!

Spinner & Tommi snuggles.

Smoochy & Buggy snuggles.

Randolph - 'the fox & the hound'

What a change from one day to the next - our view of Horsetooth Mtn. off our back deck, shrouded in fog this a.m. before it began to snow.

What better way to spend a cold, wet day than snugged up to your favorite purple dinosaur?

The black & white boys - Buggy, Spinner, Randolph (posing dramatically)

Tommi - wanting those sleepy headed siblings to wake up and play with her!