Yesterday we had the Marchstone Labrador Reunion, it was a lot of fun inspire of the weather forecast predicting horrendous conditions – with wind up to 60mph.

I had cancelled the reunion based on the forecast but some people still expressed interest of going – so we went along and was rather pleasantly surprised to see six dogs waiting for us (yes, I was late – nothing new there).

So we had present from the class of 2013 – Maggie, Scrumpy, Milo and Maverick.

From the class of 2015 – we had Luna and Harvey with Honorary Labrador Cola.

In addition to our dogs Charlie, Molly, Archie, Stanley and Melvin.

(Stanley and Melvin being half brothers to the class of 2013 and Uncles to Class of 2015.)

I will be uploading a photo gallery soon. – it was lovely to see the dogs in action.

For the puppies it has been a busy time with visitors giving them plenty of cuddles.

We have made a start on the toilet training, the good news is that the pups are becoming more settled in the garden so they will hopefully get the hang of what they need to do quite quickly.

We have also made good progress with the weaning whereby they are now on three meals a day.

We have made the puppy “pot” bigger so they now have double the space to stretch their legs in.  We have also introduced more toys for them to play.

Since having so many visitors on yesterday they decided they would save their little party trick for us (sorry guys!) but they suddenly started to skip around the pen in a really sweet way – they have gone up a gear (again!).  The developmental phases do seem to come in leaps and bounds.  You blink and all of a sudden they have passed another stage!

I have updated the puppy gallery!

The puppies are definitely becoming more active as each day goes by.  They are playing more frequently and the sleeping pattern is changing.

I have given them some toys to play with or snuggle up to.  It has been wonderful to watch them playing with the toys.  They are also very tactile with each other, nibbling each others noses and tails.  They do have their deciduous teeth (first set of baby teeth) now, so it can become a little painful for the recipient! They will soon start to learn how to read the other puppies signals.  This all takes time to learn as it is all about body language and clearly they won’t be looking for the signals just yet.

The puppy weaning is going well and most of them are tucking into the liquid food immediately.  A couple are taking a little while getting used to the idea.  It can sometimes be hard for them to learn how to lap as they are so used to sucking.  Mainly because Maggie’s milk has been so good.

I have been giving Maggie a lot of supplements during this time of feeding the puppies as I am trying to avoid.  Maggie has nutriplus gel, calcium supplements and some cheese along with her usual dog food.  I have just started to give her coconut powder…… first time I have given this supplement and I think there is a “teenie” chance I have over done it as Maggie’s coat has gone incredibly shiny!  (I have only given it three times so will reduce the quantity!).

Photos have been added to the gallery.

Playful Puppies

Plotting to escape! (I have my eye on Miss Pink and will be betting she is the first to pop out of the puppy pot!)

The puppies have had a few minutes in the garden, they always cry as it is so very strange for them.

I felt so mean – as I then wormed them before I bought them in, but I put them straight on to Maggie so it wasn’t all bad!

Click here for their video of the puppies first time in the garden.

The Puppy gallery has also been updated.

The puppies turned three weeks old yesterday and it marked the day for them to start having puppy food!

The puppies enjoyed their first taste of food and took to it like a duck does to water – but like a labrador to food!

Here are some photos of them tucking into a little bit of puppy food.

Miss Pink

Mr Red

Miss Yellow

Mr Purple (needed a tiny bit of encouragement!)

Mr Blue

Miss Pink

Some videos from yesterday:

Puppy Antics

Mr Blue loves him Mum (featuring a role poly puppy).

More puppy antics

Today is worming day – so another busy day at Marchstone!

Im having a few technological issues with my pc – namely memory (too many photos!) so I was unable to download my photos yesterday which is why I was unable to do a puppy diary update.  I need to delete photos (agh – never a good job!)  this has taken me over an hour to sort out so far! eek!

Our days begins with cleaning out the pen.  This requires putting them into a box of some sort (the Marchstone Labradors Crate or the blue tub).  I then remove all the newspaper, clean the base,  replace the newspaper and put in clean bedding.  All puppies are put back into the pen.

At this point Maggie will normally feed them.  Once they have finished their breakfast I will weigh them.  Checking they have put on a reasonable amount of weight from the previous day.  I make a note of any puppy that may need keeping an eye on.

I then check all the collars.  They grow so rapidly that the collars need checking twice a day.

I give them all a cuddle, giving them a look over generally and then they are put back into the pen.

At this stage they sleep a lot, so much of the day is spent sleeping or having time at the milk bar.  When they have periods of activity it is so lovely to sit and observe them.

In the afternoons I like to have a sit in the “pot” this however is under strict supervision from Maggie!  She likes it to be known that she is in charge of them and not me! I think the reason for this is down to yesterday when I clipped their claws, but still had Miss Yellow to do, so again, I am trying to do it when she is asleep.  So many little claws to clip it can be a lengthy process!  I think because a couple of them have squealed (not because it hurt) Maggie seems to believe that I am out to hurt them, hence my strict supervised visits!

When Im in the pot with them, the puppies like to lick your toes or nibble them!  They will try and nuzzle into you which is just adorable.  I can’t get enough of their cute little mannerisms.  BLISS

Here are a few of todays videos… warning there is an overload of cute!

Playful puppies take one

Playful puppies take two

Playful puppies take three

Photos have been added to the gallery.

The puppies are finding their feet and their voice.  So sweet hearing their little woofs.  They are all having early play movements.

I have had to clip their claws again – already, it isn’t my favourite job as the puppies do wriggle even though I try to do it when they are asleep!

I have added photos to the photo gallery.

We have had plenty of time cuddling the puppies today – having all the puppies in our arms at once is simply the sweetest thing.  They will remain sleepy on your lap for a period of time, then after a few minutes they become quite wriggly!  Having six bundles of fluff squirming around in your lap is just so lovely.  One of my favourite things about having a litter of pups is enjoying a cuddle with all of them, all at once.

The pups are becoming more and more active so I have a couple of videos from today.

Miss Pink and Mr Purple have managed a bark today!  So funny hearing them, the puppies seemed shocked too!  “where did that come from!”

I have added photos to the gallery

Playful puppies

Active Puppies

We have had a few visitors today, so lots of cuddling took place!

Katherine came home and got to see her puppies after being away for a week.  A week is such a long time in the development of pups.  When she left they couldn’t walk, they didn’t have their eyes or ears open.  She returns to them being able to walk (albeit wobbly) their eyes are open and their ears are opening up!

Mr Blue

Miss Yellow

Miss Pink (apologies tried to change the orientation of the photo)

Miss Pink (our girl Tilly).

Mr Purple

Last but not least… Mr Red

I have take a repeat photo of the puppies in the Marchstone Labrador Crate,  this photo was taken today after the pups were weighed earlier.

See how much room these chubsters are taking up!

The second photo was taken a week ago!  Look at the space that was available!

I have added photos to the gallery

video 1 Feed Time

video 2 Sweet Dreams Puppies!

video 3 Puppies with early play movements – check out Mr Red wagging his tail at the end!

I love seeing the new little developments with the puppies and seeing Mr Red wag his tail is a delight!

The puppies are all developing well and fascinating to watch.  I have added a few photos to the gallery and will endeavour to have a catch up on “good” photos of the black puppies.  They are harder to get good pictures of.

The puppies are making progress every single day, with the muscles getting stronger and stronger and the walking is becoming more established!

Im still sleeping with the puppies – this is my little make shift bed, which Bunty and Archie seem to think is for them!

Maggie with her puppies

Miss Pink, Mr Red and Miss Yellow demonstrating their walking abilities!

Maggie checks in on her puppies

Im not sure if you are going to cope with the videos – but you have been warned!

Tottering Toddlers

Puppy Pile of Cuties!