Watch the videos of Stinger's puppies at 7 weeks old!!

Written by Stinger and the puppies' foster mom

Time is really flying! The little babies are now mini cairns! Slush is the largest, just over FOUR pounds, and the other three are really close to the same weight, just over three pounds. I think it's interesting that Fizz & Swizzle's ears have stood up from the beginning. They are really getting fuzzy, their coats getting longer, especially little Shirley's. Mom has decided they have too many teeth to keep nursing, so they are eating 4-5times a day a mix of puppy kibble soaked with Esbilac, Merricks puppy plate canned food, and either some yogurt or cottage cheese, all sprinkled with dry kibble. Stinger doesn't really want to be in with them for long - she prefers a peek in every now and then to make sure they're OK and then get back with our pack.

We started crate training at night, and it's been a mixed reaction. Mom was in a crate on Barney's side of the bed for her first night and did fine except for when she could hear the puppies. I started Friday night with Shirley Temple and Swizzle and left Fizz & Slush in the ex pen together, putting the two in puppy crates on the big ottoman and me on the couch. Shirley cuddled in after just a few minutes of complaining and was out. Swizzle, on the other hand, fussed about every 5 minutes until at 4:00am when I took them both back to the ex pen and was going to leave them together and head for bed. But Swizzle ran to the paper and did both jobs and Shirley peed, so I scooped them back up and back to the family room we went for another 2.5 hours. Swizzle did settle in and sleep for almost 2. Then the house dogs were ready to be up. Last night I put Shirley & Swizzle in their own crates, plus Fizz & Slush in a larger one together. After a few minutes of crying, all were asleep. They went about 4.5 hours before needing out, and at that point I put them all in the ex pen together and went to bed for a short nap.

They can all belly over the ex pen door, so when it swings open, there's a mad scramble to be the first over and get the farthest away! I think they've planned and plotted it out that if they all run a different direction and especially go under something that it takes longer for us toget them gathered back up again! I need a dip net!

Friday was our first trip outside to the dog run to play. It was breezy,and they loved the leaves scooting across the concrete! Last night we couldn't figure out what they were all crying and barking for - the ex pen was clean, there was a bowl of food down that no one was touching, we put Stinger in with them and they ignored her. Just like trying to figure outwhat a baby is crying for. Well, they were DEMANDING to go outside to play! As soon as we had them out, they were a bunch of scurrying littledark blurs across the concrete!

Here's a couple of videos we took tonight as it was getting dark. I sure am glad I've got the video camera, as getting still pics of these littlebundles of energy is just about impossible!