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KB's Pups, Part 5: By Sam and Shawnie Burdette

© Judy A Tomlinson

Week 5 in the lives of KB's pups brings more surprises for the pups. I must tell you at this point that Pete and I have been to the Burdette's and seen the pups! I will write about our trip later. for now continue to enjoy the Burdette's story of the lives of the pups.

Week 5 brought a big change into the lives of KB's 8 puppies. At the end of Week 4 they had been moved to an inside stall leading to an outside shortrun. During Week 5 they were introduced to the outside world.

Up to the beginning of Week 5 they had not been very adventuresome. When we moved them, wife physically placed them outside. They were fun to watch. Some just froze. After a while they would slowly take a step or two and then turn and run back inside. Some would stretch their necks and smell, then adventure a few steps. Then they would turn and run back inside. After a short time they would build up their nerve and adventure back outside the dog door and repeat their routine. Some would stay close to another pup. As time went on they followed KB outside. By the end of the week they had ventured halfway down the run (run is about 40' long). The puppies are now climbing in and out of the whelping box like old timers.

KB has started the weaning process. Within two days after moving, she started allowing her puppies to only nurse while standing up. It's interesting to watch. When KB first enters the stall they come running, plowing, bumping, and fighting to get to her. Some puppies are big enough to set on their rear haunches in an upright position and nurse with their front paws reaching KB's belly. Other puppies stand on their rear feet with their paws against KB's side or belly and nurse. Some struggle and lose their suction only to come back up real quick before another puppy gets its faucet. At the end of Week 5, KB started nipping at the puppies when she doesn't want them to nurse. Talk about hurt feelings. Some yell and squall so loud that husband and wife drop whatever they are doing and run to see if a puppy has hurt itself or got caught in something. Usually they stop squalling just when one reaches them.

During Week 5 we cut the grass and sprayed Roundup in the vicinity of the shortruns. We keep one stall and outside shortrun open for KB, and the three other roaming housepet supremes, to go do their business. One night wife