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

. . . .

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?

But I promise not to hurt the chickens!

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

Parker and Presto check in from Minnesota

Parker (formerly Green Boy) and probably Presto (formerly Blaze Orange Boy) weren't at all upset by flying across the country.  They got to hang out together a little longer with Grandma Katie and Daddie Zin. Presto will head home to Iowa today.

Click here for the slideshow.

It's sooooooo quiet here

I got a nap, and even the two remaining puppies were pretty tired after yesterday. I'm so happy all the puppies and people traveling today made it just fine, and I hope we get pictures soon.

In the meantime, here are the pictures from the afternoon testing yesterday.

That first picture is of Mr. Green and Heather wrapped up after their baths. That last: McKenzie gave everyone "one for the road" at the milk bar. Good mommy!

Compare and contrast: What a difference 3.5 weeks make

First meal ever, three weeks:

Third meal of the day, six weeks:

You want pictures? Here you go!

Boys:

Girls:

Dozens of pictures of them all, slideshow here.

Their eyes really ARE open ... honest!

But they're sleeping now. Click on the picture for the slideshow:

A little test, and another message from Zin

This morning I put each of the puppies on the tile floor, just off the low dog mat where they nurse on McKenzie while I write. Each was set down facing McKenzie, with my stockinged feet just a little behind them. I gave each a few seconds and watched what they did. The result:

Yellow Boy: Shivered a little, then crawled onto the mat, rested.
Green Boy: Tried to stand up, then crawled onto my foot, rested.
Blaze Orange Boy: Immediately crawled onto the mat and headed for the milk bar. Ate.
Purple Girl: Thought about it a minute, then tried to crawl onto the mat. Couldn't make it up.
Pink Girl: Cried, them crawled towards the mat, got up on it, rested.
Red Girl: Crawled towards my foot, then turned and headed towards the mat. Couldn't make it up.

Mr. Blaze Orange seems so very laid back, but maybe still waters run deep.

Update: While I was in the garage briefly switching pup laundry from the washer to the dryer, Ms. Purple crawled off the mat, scrambled four feet across the tile floor to McMommy and latched on! The other puppies never even woke up! I guess my easy days of containing them to a dog bed are coming rapidly to a close.

Another message from Dad: "Be nice to your mother, What'sHerNameIDon'tRemember. She can seem nice but then not very, in my experience.  I'm told DNA testing is available, otherwise I'd be blaming the whole lot of you on that other guy. Don't ask for pup support. I ain't got nothing to share because the bitches here take everything, you know how they are. OK, gotta go. You be good, I mean it!"