The ZinKuties

Five months old and growing up quickly -- tails first, apparently

Craig reports that Maya's tail is three inches longer than Teaka's. So I had to measure, and found the same thing: Faith's tail is two inches longer than McKenzie's. (Teaka, by the way, is McKenzie's sister, so I've always wondered if Maya (formerly Miss Pink) recognized the resemblance and thought Teaka was kinda McMommy to her.)

It is very strange -- to me, anyway -- raising a puppy who has been here all her life. Faith is so bold and comfortable, a resilient problem-solver who acts as if she owns the place. The only one of the dogs who informs her that she does not is her mother, although in general they are so adorable and sweet with each other, their wild play in the yard punctuated by extremely loud rounds of bitey-face. 

OK, the latest pictures. Top: Keen (formerly Miss Purple). Middle: Dooley (formerly Blaze Orange Bob, a/k/a BOB), and Faith, a/k/ FayBee (Faith plus Baby) the former Miss Red with McKenzie.

Got more? Send 'em. I was talking about the puppies to a friend of mind, and how glad I am for the experienced, loving homes they're in, and how I can't help but to wonder how they're doing. She isn't a dog person -- or a pet person at all, really -- and she thought that was somewhat strange. It never occurred to her that the kind of breeders we long to be and to work with NEVER stop caring about the dogs we bring into the world! -- Gina

. . . .

Things I never told you about McMommy

1) She has been sleeping on the bed since she was 10 weeks old.

2) She can lift a heavy mixing bowl off the counter and set it on the floor without spilling the contents -- which she then consumes.

3) She can tell time, and knows what day of the week it is.

4) She can jump six feet straight up from a sit. 

5) She claims to have been in a coma from February  until June, and has no recollection of any events that happened during that time. She claims, furthermore, that Faith is her sister.

6) She is so tennis-ball obsessed that I have to keep them in a box behind a door in the hall closet. She can fit four of them in her mouth at once.

7) She wakes me up in the morning by sitting on my head.

8) She shrieks with delight when she first sees or scents one of her friends, human or dog.

9) She knows how to drink from a straw.

and

10) She is the most utterly devoted dog I have ever known. I love her! 

The Big D rolls with The Iowa Gang

Dooley, the Former Blaze Orange Boy (a/k/a BOB) with his peeps Bix, Sam, Bogey, Cousin Otter and Sonnet: 

We're mighty Keen on getting pictures!

Here's Ronnie's girl Keen, the former Miss Purple. Like the water, do you sweetie?

Otterly beautiful: An update from a cousin

I have pictures of Keen, Dooley and Faith to share. But first ...

This is Windfall's Otter Chaos JH, who lives with Penny's family in Iowa. Why am I posting Otter's picture? Because: 1) She's the daughter on McKenzie's sister Mikaela, and therefore a cousin to the ZinKuties; and 2) She was raised here. Mary sent her here when she was eight weeks old for me to keep her until she was six months old, giving her some basic spoiling and socializing. (My specialty!).

I knew Otter was never staying, but the parting was still very hard. She was such a bright and funny puppy, and she just lit up the house. I will never forget my Otter Pop, but fortunately she is in a great family, and she has everything I could ever ask for her, including regular visits from her cousin Dooley.

She is Otterly Beautiful!

Dooley: Scheming? Me? Ah c'mon!

Dooley, the former Blaze Orange Boy.

Hey Zin, I think you left your genes in California

Because I can't imagine this sort of thing could possibly be attributed to my darling McKenzie, who has always been such a good dog.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Our mom is a bitch

And Nice Lady isn't very bright.

It true, I'm sorry to report, but I have to be honest with my sibs!

Mom went away on Thursday, after complaining about not getting any breakfast. Very confusing and upsetting to me, especially since I was very worried that the "no food" phenomenon would spread to puppies, too. (It didn't ... whew!)

She comes back the next day, but she smells like that place we visited a couple times, remember? Once with grandma Katie? I've been back there twice by myself since you all left, and the people are still really nice, give me cookies and everything while poking me with a needle. OK, I don't like that last part but everything else is nice.

But it's not just the smell. I go to her and her belly is all shaved, and she says she just wants me to leave her alone because she is in pain. I figure I misunderstand, right? I mean, our mom wouldn't tell me to leave her alone! And maybe with the shaved area the milk bar is open again, never hurts to check I figure.

Oh, was I wrong! I nosed her and before Nice Lady could grab me our mom -- OUR MOM! -- pins me to the floor and screams at me. "I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" she barks. "I'VE JUST BEEN SPAYED!"

Whatever. I mean, wow, what a bitch. Seriously.

Now, she is in a crate to protect me from her grumpy self. Serves her right, I say. She also said she was GLAD she was spayed because she doesn't want any more puppies.

That kind of insulting, don't you think?

Yours most sincerely,

Faith

P.S. Nice Lady says Grandma Katie is going to start blog a little soon, as soon as NL has a couple minutes to figure out how to add authors.

But I promise not to hurt the chickens!

Faith, 14 weeks old. She wants to "help" with the chickens. I don't think so.

Keen checks in!

From Utah, pictures from Keen (formerly Miss Purple):