Monday, September 06, 2010

Foster puppies, week six

WARNING: The puppies in these photos are disturbingly adorable. Be sure to view them in a well-lit room, and stay back from the screen. I do not assume liability for any side effects you may experience from viewing these photos, including an overwhelming urge to squeeze a puppy.

Here are the pups' glamour shots at six weeks old. These are going on the web--the pre-adopt process begins this week. (Tell your Austin-area friends!)

Nancy, the momma dog
King Louie
Mario
Princess Peach
Princess Daisy
Bowser
Yoshi
Luigi
Well, I admit, I haven't submitted Luigi's adoption info or photos yet. I'm struggling with an inner voice that tells me he's my puppy. It tells me to write a really awful bio so that no one would even consider adopting him.

Nancy is officially DONE with these pups. She still has some milk, so they swarm her whenever she comes into their room, but it's not enough to satiate them--and Nancy runs all over the room like she stepped in a fire ant mound, so they don't have much of a chance to latch on.

What this means, for me, is a new cycle of feeding and cleaning up that takes almost all day, every day. I feed them, then I change their newspaper (which, with seven puppies, is completely soiled as soon as they finish eating), then I wipe the floor and change out towels and dishes, then I rotate through them so they each get some solo time in another part of the house or yard. That process takes 2-3 hours. Then I have about an hour to myself while they nap. Then it's feeding time, and the cycle starts anew.

Mega Thanks are owed to:
  • My cat-loving sister, who helped me do all kinds of things to the puppies today: bathe, dry, trim nails, take photos, wrangle puppies, and socialize them. Amazingly, she even kept cuddling after Peach pooped on her.
  • Byrd, who, on his birthday no less, helped me take Nancy and the pups to the medical building for their six-week vaccinations. All seven puppies AND Nancy got car sick--the result was something I can't describe in polite company. The worst part was that they got car sick within the first five minutes of a two-hour-long round trip. And in Texas this time of year, it's too hot to drive with the windows rolled down. What a birthday present.
  • My dad, who has been faithfully providing me with mounds of desperately needed newspaper. I couldn't do it without the newspaper.
  • All of you, dear readers, who are undoubtedly calling up your Austin-area friends at this very moment, and telling them to go to Austin Pets Alive to adopt the world's cutest puppies!

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Those are awesome pics - those babies should get adopted in no time!!! I will send an email out since we are in Austin and spread the word that they are adoptable through APA.

Kari

Leila said...

Those little cutie pies. Now the question is, how would Uncle Dozer and Auntie Star like Luigi? Let the mayhem ensue!

You've done a tremendous job, they are all adorable!

Kari in Alaska said...

I had to look at the pics really quick so I didn't get puppy envy!

-Kari http://dogisgodinreverse.com

PoochesForPeace said...

OMgosh they all got carsick!? My mouth dropped open on that one. You are hard core to take this on, Nancy is lucky! that poor mama looks like she has an upside down play-dough mountain range hanging from her belly!!

who wouda thunk it?? said...

poor Mama! That looks uncomfortable, she needs a sports bra!

bitt said...

adorable!

lol on the sport bra comment.

Daisy Dog said...

I am glad your in Texas, Yoshi looks like he might grab at my little heart. Love how Princess Daisy's picture has Daisy's in it!!! What about momma Nancy (what a name), has anyone stepped up to take her too? PS Daisy says HI to Dozer :)