growing up puppies

In only a week the Tuisku puppies will be one year old and no longer puppies at all. I've had some updates here and there - and it is perhaps needless to say that we got to see one or two of them when the last bunch were receiving visitors.





Minna and Taika just a tad muddy after a walk during their visit.
















Usko also came to visit and we had a bit of a challenge to get him calm enough for a photo as he was rather excited to be here seeing us & his granny Neka.













Kallio had his first ever bath.












Lana went skiing in Scotland with sis Ellie & the rest of the family.







"You can't catch me!"







While Kesa enjoyed the snow down south.

it's all in the details

Finnish Lapphunds are beautiful in their details




Lappy bottoms! 2 of Taika's puppies getting wet














Keskiyo's snow nose












Kesa showing off her brand-new teeth














Tiny toes & noses - Honey, Marilyn, Kuusi, Vee & Junior












And in close-up










Tomorrow the puppies will be 2 weeks old already and there will be photo updates and, of course, the poll result. Oh, the suspense!

almost 6 months old

Two days ago marked the Tuisku puppies' 6-month birthday - happy half-birthday, puppies!

This weekend will be the very first show for the boys Usko and Kallio. Minna has been excused as there is a human birthday party at which her presence is required. But I'll be taking Keskiyo & Neka and picking up Taito on the way for the looong drive to Darlington to see the puppies in their debut. I've heard that they both have a bit of a naughty streak but I don't believe it for a second and I'm quite confident that they'll behave like little angels and show like pros. Yes I am. I am.

The latest photo updates have been trickling in and some lucky pups have been having their very first visits to some amazing beaches over the summer.



Taika & Minna
















"Race you to the birds, mum!"

















Sandy knackered puppy














Here's another sandy puppy - Jonna










Jonna & Ellie with what looks like the entire northwest coast of England to themselves










Kallio having his first of many, many subsequent forays into the water












Having fun with his friends














Causing trouble with his housemate (again)

















And, finally, here is Kesa getting a different kind of wet. She doesn't need the beach - she's quite happy "helping" with watering the garden.






In the meantime, Usko is being very grownup and dry

teething & other life-changing events

Well, perhaps life-changing is a bit dramatic.

But the Tuisku puppies will be 5 months old in a couple of days, well into the chore of growing those adult teeth. It can be a trying time, the teething period, for puppy & owner alike. There's all that chewing, for starters. The puppies need lots - I'll say it again - lots of things to chew on. Different textures, different sizes, different tastes. New and exciting different things each day. Or at least new since, oh, 4 or 5 days ago. And hopefully none of those delectable chewables include the table legs. Or the tv remote control. Or your favorite shoes. Or the corner of the fire hearth, book case, or any other handy nose-height corner. Or, in Neka's case, the camera lens cap.

In addition to all the chewing, there's likely to be a bit of grumpiness. Yes, ok, the humans are allowed to be grumpy from time to time too. Especially if someone has just chewed the corner off their brand new and expensive leather handbag. But actually, I was talking about the puppies. They're in pain, it's frustrating, and so a bit of irritability is to be expected. Not to mention floppy ears, upset stomachs and a very short attention span.

But if you're lucky you find 1 or 2 of their little baby teeth on the floor (or in your arm, in the case of some puppies, right Keskiyo?). And then when your little puppy has grown into a big galloot you can look at these tiny teeth to ooh and ahh and try to remember just how tiny they used to be. When Usko visited a couple of weeks ago he left a canine tooth behind.

These are Maija's.












The major life-changing event for these puppies at the moment, though, would be the onset of puberty. Ah, hormones! And what goes with all those hormones? Apart from the obvious. Obviously. Well, more mood swings, a bit of independence and teenager-ness. Pushing to see what they can get away with, that sort of stuff.

But for now let's concentrate on the cute photos, shall we?

First, the "twins" Kallio & Kesa. Can you tell who's who?



































Ok, make that triplets. Here is Jaana with big sis Ellie in the new car bought especially for them. (Yes, you have to make a big commitment to become a 2-or-more-Lapphund family. The car is usually the first change.)














And, finally, here is Usko camouflaged in the wheat.
















If I could just find some time I'd take a drive up Bath way to acquire some photos of Minna. Well, any excuse for a puppy visit...

visit

Liz & Ian dropped by with Usko for a visit yesterday as they were passing. There was much joyful greeting between puppy, auntie & granny. So sweet to see Neka and Usko remembering each other. I'm not quite so sure about whether or not Maija specifically remembered him as she tends to treat all newcomers with the same degree of elation.

They had a wonderful time playing and it was typically difficult to get any photos - I got mainly blurry noses too close to the camera, random bottoms/tails and, of course, the classic empty floorspace shot. However, the girls did eventually tire him out.

















Settling down for a chew on a bone generously relinquished by granny Neka.

pupdate

The puppies are 17 weeks old today. Is that all? Doesn't sound like much, does it? Around 4 or 5 months of age Lappies tend to go through a gangly stage. They have a growth spurt... of ears, muzzle and legs, anyway, and the coat can't keep up. They tend to be, um, cute-challenged. Not these puppies, they're cute all the way. (Um, mostly. So far.)

Note the fuzzy tufts of lighter fur behind the ears - a classic feature of the wolf sable puppy as the coat colour changes.

No new pics of Usko, but he's coming to visit in a couple of days, so stay tuned.

Jaana has been on holiday in Cumbria.




"Where'd they go?"













A perfect seat for two... Lapphunds.










Minna has also been on holiday - camping with the relatives! I've been assured she was a complete angel the whole time. No, really!







Snoozing with auntie Kaija in the foreground.







Kesä illustrating the play-bow. And looking very much like Kallio.







Kallio looking quite grown up... well, sorta.








He hasn't yet learned you can't out-stare a cat.






And, finally, in honour of Jay's recent birthday, Inko sent this greeting:

11 weeks old

I cannot believe these puppies have only been in their new homes 3 or 4 weeks. It seems like an absolute age. I'm sure it also feels to the puppies' new families that they have always just been there.

With apologies for the missing Kesä, here are the gang's 11-weeks-old photos.





Jaana out for a stroll among the fallen blossoms

















Kallio has a new bear









Getting very good at his show stand already!










Minna having a cuddle with Jay under protest
















A rare still moment posing with her mum












Usko helping out with a bit of weeding in the garden










Chatting with some pigs

what a difference...

...a week makes!

There we were last weekend bundled up in fleeces and waterproof jackets. This weekend? Summer arrived a couple of days ago and suddenly it's too hot to walk the dogs anytime other than very early or very late. So on Sunday, very early, we set off to Bovey Valley for a long walk along the river and through the bluebell woods.

Within the woods was a bit dark for very clear photos, although the dogs had a great time playing in the river and it meant that they were able to keep cool in the shade. Outside in the fields the sunlight was so hot & bright that it was difficult to get the gang to sit still for a photo. But here they are anyway.




Happy Lappies Maija, Keskiyo & Neka












With their friends the Border Collies Maddie & Kye











Keskiyo having a paddle in the river







In the meantime, the Tuisku puppies turned 10 weeks old and I have these photos to mark the occasion.




Jaana & Ellie having fun











Usko sporting the cute one-ear-up-one-ear-down look and learning to walk nicely on his lead.






Perfecting the Lappy pounce.








Kallio looking quite pleased with himself after - presumably - finishing the gardening. Just judging by the empty watering can next to him.

















Big grin.