Our book trailer!

We've just released our book trailer. You should check it out. Isn't it amazing? - Michaela

It is very adorable.

The Great Outdoors

Since we've had our vaccinations we get to go outside all the time now. We spend quite a few hours in the yard each day. The spring air is lovely and warm, the grass is green, and there are so many areas to explore in our large backyard. We are having tons of fun - Humphrey, Jean-Luc, and Michaela.

Our Surprise!

Remember how a few posts back we said we had a surprise for you? Well, we do.

The Awesome Six are stars! Their book was just released today on Amazon. The cover is gorgeous. The inside of the book is beautiful. I am very pleased with it.

Soon there will be a preview feature where you can look inside and see the first couple of pages.

Hope you enjoyed our surprise!

Vaccinations!

So, we found an affordable way to give Humphrey, Jean-Luc, and Michaela their vaccines. Since Mom is a nurse she gave the shots at home.

We did a little bit of research and found some great instructions for giving dog vaccines on Dr Fosters and Smith's website. It was really easy for her to apply what she already knew about giving shots to humans to giving shots to the dogs.

So, today we are homebound. I am monitoring their behavior and making sure they do not become ill.

Humphrey (top) and Jean-Luc (bottom) after a bout of rough housing.

They are growing up beautifully. Even at eleven weeks old, I can tell they are going to be gorgeous. My biggest wonder is how big are they actually going to be?

They are about a foot high right now but heavy, especially in their stomachs. They feel like they must weigh ten pounds but I'm not sure. I need to get them weighed. I'm going to be looking into getting a scale for them as well as some other necessities.

It's going to be hot so I am going to get them a pool for the summer. One of those $8 deals from the dollar store and let them wade in it. 

Pictures of that will definitely be posted!

Jean-Luc (left) and Michaela (right) fight over a slinky.

Potty Training 101

As much as I hate "potty training" I knew it would have to happen eventually.

Yep, it's that time.

Michaela is the first. Nine weeks old and completely potty training. No, I am not kidding. She pees on the paper. She poops on the paper. She also pees and poops outside. 

Humphrey is about halfway there. We had a bit of a rough start because Humphrey started peeing in the middle of the floor, right around the time I decided we were in serious need of Potty Training 101. I would grab him and run to the paper and he would be finished.

Jean-Luc refuses to go on paper at all, he doesn't like to be watched. He was prone to going under the bed, and only under the bed before I decided to block access to that location and put a stop to that.

Back to the books. I did some research and studied some potty training guides on the internet, not for the first time. It was the same thing I read when I tried to potty train my Michi, seven years ago.

Either put them in a kennel or put paper over the entire floor. I do not own a kennel. I own a playpen. If you follow my blog you know this. So, I put Humphrey and Jean-Luc in the playpen. I laid fresh newspaper across the "potty area." Yes, I only want them going in one area.

When they wake me up in the morning, which inevitably is every morning, I rush each of them in turn to the paper. Humphrey first because when he says he has to go, he means it and there is no time for delay. He won't pee in the kennel if he can help it.

 Michaela second because I can set her on the floor and she will take herself to the paper.

Then Jean-Luc, who has made almost zero progress.

The problem with Jean-Luc, I think, is that he will only potty when no one can see him because he is shy. I am not sure what I can do about this. He will potty in the playpen rather than waiting to be "taxied" to the paper. The playpen has paper across it. 

The original plan was for the playpen to be covered in paper, except for a sleep area since they do nap in there, but they rip it up, get it wet, and just move it around in general, so I don't know how this is going to work.

Anybody who's been through this stage have tips?

Michaela is good at keeping secrets!

Today, we're working on a surprise for all of our lovely fans.

The "we" is Michaela (that little girl is a genius mastermind, I tell ya!), Jean-Luc, Humphrey, and myself. And of course, it will be in memory of little Alistair.

So, I just realized that a surprise means that we can't say what it is.

Does that mean I have to write a whole entire blog post that's actually about something.

She thinks keeping secrets from you is hilarious!

You have probably figured out by now that the puppies are back to good health. Although, Humphrey did get a little sick today. I'm not sure why. It may have been the antibiotic. He and Jean-Luc are still taking it.

Michaela bit my face this morning. This is how she wakes me up every morning. So, I decided to turn the tables on her.

I kissed her so fast that she didn't even have a chance to open her mouth! You have no idea how fast that means you have to be.

Wasn't it yesterday that she looked like this?

Blast From The Past: Michaela, 2 weeks old

New pictures of The Awesome Six coming soon!

Don't forget.

We have a surprise for you!

Maggie and Marilyn

Maggie and Marilyn

Our friend updates us on Maggie and Marilyn.

Marilyn, she says, is back to bouncing around like a crazy dog.

Maggie lost some weight. She is doing better, though. She ate half a can of wet dog food.

Michaela, Jean-Luc, and Humphrey are playing like there is no tomorrow.

We have to decide between cremation and burial for Alistair.

I think we are going with cremation and a lovely memorial stone for the garden.

We will always think of him.

Outtake from Alistair's 6 week profile picture.
"Picture? I thought you said it was play time!" - Alistair