Sunday is the traditional day to receive visitors. Aurora likes tradition!
Charles noticed that Aurora was more hesitant to come up to him than she was during his initial visit. We’ve been told that puppies her age go through a shy stage, and we need to keep her meeting people so the shyness doesn’t become a character trait.
As it is, she looks dubious coming up to a visitor’s hand. We think she’d think it’d smell better if there was a treat in it!
The girls decided that they needed to improve their under-the-butcher-block look recorded in an earlier post. Geoffrey summoned me to snap the pack when they were satisfied with their pose.
If anyone wonders if dogs are den animals, this photograph should help them make up their mind. All four girls are squeezed into a hide-a-pet which is pushed under the butcher block in the kitchen. Comfortable, and safe from falling objects in an earthquake!
About 2:30 most of the pack was sleeping, but puppy energy kept Aurora wandering the back yard and coming up the stairs. (She can only go UP the stairs herself. Going down is too confusing and she requires a ride.)
Overall, we decided it was a comfortable, if very energetic day at home!
Today was filled with more business for the humans, and the camera didn’t start recording Aurora’s adventures until the 7:45 play session and dinner. The fortunately, Aurora is still being offered lunch, so the later dinner doesn’t weaken her too much!
She played some with the pack and carefully watched Apex’s ball playing from the back door.
Then when dinner was being prepared she showed Aunt Apex how much she appreciated the attention.
For a Thursday, we took a lot of mid-day photographs!
But, we had to. The girls were inspiring comfortable!
Of course, once the girls woke up for the morning nap, Aurora took out to the way back to sample the greens growing there.
Apex is definitely Aurora’s outdoor guide and caretaker. Zenith usually stops at the back doorstep and watches Aurora wander outside… but, just for a while. Then Zenith retreats to her comfort in the kitchen. Apex, on the other hand, guards Aurora in the back wilds and engages her in jungle play.
Five of us are exhausted and our patience is worn thin.
Apparently Aurora slept very, very, very well last night. During the day today she’s been in non-stop motion.
She started the day by challenging other pack members for Geoffrey’s robe while he showered.
Day 80 — Starting out Feisty
She did briefly nap while I had a business conference call around 9 (thank you, Aurora). But, she she perked up and decided to taunt her pack mates and me from about 11 on.
She was especially whiny around noon, and I took that as a hint that she might be hungry. She ate 1 1/4 shots of puppy kibble in her bowl.
But, instead of being slowed down and sleepy with the full stomach, she seemed to convert the food into immediate energy. After terrorizing the other dogs, she’d bound to me and say that she had to go out right then.
Since I don’t want to discourage any housebreaking breakthroughs, I dutifully got up (about 100 times) and took her outside.
Where she enjoyed the smells and tastes in the backyard.
Day 80 — What do These Taste Like, Daddy?
This went on mostly constant until about 4. Her next to the last trip in she was all innocence and smiles.
Day 80 — She only LOOKS Cherubic
Just don’t let her fool you. After this picture, she ran inside and peed on the bathmat… after having been outside and told to do doggie things for about 10 minutes.
Puppies are so cute!