We established early on that Nellie loves everybody she encounters. We can now say with certainty that includes kids.
Nellie and her puppies got a visit from 5-year-old Jack and his mom Kristen April 21. Nellie actually met Jack for the first time when the pups were just a few days old. But it almost doesn't count because at that point she was preoccupied with motherhood and didn't pay much attention to him. This time, though, he was the apple of her eye and they got along famously. She is a very gentle and sweet dog. But watch out, she does have quite the tongue and will lick you as much as you allow her to. (She does understand "enough," thankfully.)
The puppies also got exposed again to Jack and they definitely were a lot more engaged with him than the first time around, when they were tiny. They also had a visit from 10-year-old Ciara when they were smaller. It's important to expose puppies (and adult dogs, too, for that matter) to as many people as possible. The result is a confident, well-socialized dog that likes the attention of people.
Of course, such visits should be carefully supervised. Puppies are delicate and kids must be taught to be gentle. Jack has been around dogs and cats (and guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and fish, for that matter) his whole life. He's really a natural, but his mom still keeps a close eye on him and gives him pointers on how to best hold the puppy.
The pups celebrate their six-week birthday this Saturday and in honor of that, four of them will be going to live with Lucas County Pit Crew co-founder Jean Keating. They will get lots of love and attention from her daughters Ciara and Maddie. This way we can give more attention to the remaining four pups that stay with us. (And also not have quite as much poop to clean up!)
They are all eating LOTS of solid food and hardly nursing at all, so the timing is perfect. It's time for all of them to be weaned and get ready to go live with their new adoptive homes.
The Pit Crew will begin taking adoption applications this weekend, as well. Their adoption fee will be $175 which includes neutering, microchips and their first set of shots. Please email canineadvocate1@yahoo.com for an application.
I'm going to be sad this weekend when four of them leave and even sadder when they go to their new homes. But it's time for someone else to get a share of all the cuteness and puppy breath we have been privileged to have bestowed on us these past six weeks (plus one week with Nellie before the pups were born.) And I know there will be more that need help so in order to make a space for them, I must say goodbye to these guys.
My daughter and I will really miss checking in on the puppies. What will happen with Nellie? Will she be adopted out also?
Posted by: Cheryl Gazo | 04/28/2012 at 11:46 PM