Happily drowning in Frenchie puppies…
The first week plus a couple of days have flown by in a whirlwind of insatiable nursing, endless puppy care, and sleepless nights. We are EXHAUSTED! But it is all worth it.
The puppies have doubled in weight since we brought them home. While they are still sleepy newborns, they have a lot more energy, can cruise around the whelping box at a pretty good clip, considering they crawl like little seals, and have become quite vocal. Their little chirps and squeaks have evolved into definitive puppy whines and yelps, and holy cow! can they make a racket when they want to! It’s even enough to rouse their ever-exhausted momma dog (and human “parents”).
Each puppy is starting to display personalities. Noëlle and Borealis are gentle and docile, Aurora is an extreme cuddler and loves to burrow under blankets, and Alpine and Gale are vocal, sassy, and on the move! We can’t wait to see how they develop as they grow!
We have started their socialization with new stimulation each day. First, by snuggling and patting them - they make the rounds of the kids. Various textures, including terrycloth, fleece, hard surface, paper litter pellets, and real grass have been introduced. They weren’t too thrilled by the cool surface of the grass in comparison to their warm blanket on a heating pad, but they are getting used to it, and the challenge will help them learn to tolerate new and stressful situations. We also have started their grooming routine, including sponge baths, nail care, lanolin on their paws and noses, oral stimulation, and a soft brush.
Violette doesn’t quite know what to make of these squeaking, wriggly little beasts who now occupy all our time and attention. Though convinced she is suffering from Neglected Snortle Syndrome (very serious, indeed!), Violette has been curious about the pups, and is getting used to the new smells, noises, and routine. The one benefit of the new arrivals is that with Bleuet sleeping in the whelping box, Violette gets to snuggle her humans all by herself at night!
