8-5-09:  The pups are now 3 weeks old.  Their eyes have been open for about a week now and they are walking all over and playing with each other.

They bat at each other and, of course, there is chewing since their puppy teeth have come through. 

They are also trying to bark and growl.  Pretty funny stuff because they look like they wonder where the heck that sound is coming from!

They are showing interest in their surrounds and will investigate new objects.  Since they can now climb on the whelping box rail, we've put the barrier up since one pup has already escaped. 

Pups are eating well and gaining weight nicely:  Puppy Weights at 3 Week: (lbs/ozs)

Pup #1 Male - 4/1/2
Pup #2 Female - 3/1
Pup #3 Female - 3/7
Pup #4 Male - 3/7
Pup #5 Female - 3/9
Pup #6 Male - 3/0
Pup #7 Male - 4/4
Pup #8 Male - 2/15 1/2
Pup #9 Male - 3/13 1/2

The pups were introduced to puppy gruel tonight.  Messy stuff but they dived right in.  Just a hoot to watch. 

SEE VIDEO BELOW AND PREPARED TO LAUGH.

(Click on picture to begin play - Windows Media Player)
 

YUMMMM!

Messy Face.

Slippery...but good stuff.

Good puppies...cleaning each other up...before Momma Tess had a turn.

Several of the pups are already showing their independent sides.  Instead of sleeping in the typical puppy pile, they'll find rather unusual sleeping positions.

This pup actually crashed with it's head and paws on the whelping box rail.

They also are showing interest in us human creatures.  They love to look you in the eye and crawl right into your lap for some snuggling and play time.

This is Jeff...all 6'2" of him...IN the whelping box!

There is nothing sweeter than a puppy kiss...puppy breath and all!