Puppies, meet the family...
Out of the nursery, into the living room...
This week I moved the pups into the living room, starting to integrate them with the other dogs. I did it very slowly and gently, to keep Maddie from getting stressed, and the transition went very smoothly. Maddie was getting bored upstairs, and wanted to particpate in the family activities, but she also wanted to know the pups were safe. The pups were also ready to meet a larger world.
It's gone great so far, the pups are starting to notice the environment around them, and all the adult dogs are delighted with the pups; we all lie on the couch and watch "puppy t.v." Occasionally they even get to sniff them through the bars of the ex-pen, a privilege they all fight over.
I also get to sprawl on the lazy boy with a tiny puppy sleeping on my lap, one of the sweetest pleasures of having puppies in the house. Yay.
I am using the t.v. to sound desensitize them. A couple of times I have switched on "Ellen" for them, to get them used to loud cheers and clapping (my goodness, the woman has an enthusiastic audience). Today was the classic old movie "Zulu"... um, in case they ever have to defend the house with a bunch of British officers, I guess. They heard lots of manly shouting and gunshots, anyway.
BTW, the picture above is of dad Hogan, intently watching the puppies, and disappointed I won't just let him dive in there.
