Day 12 (Updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 16, 2025

Dear Son came over this morning so I could run some errands. I have not been anywhere except the vet in over two weeks! When I got back, Galen correctly identified that we have now entered the stage of the Drunken Dinosaurs.

They are lurching and pitching and sometimes even taking a few steps! And sitting!

In the picture above of Jasper and the one below of Star Garnet, you can see partially opened eyes.

Yesterday I mentioned that play was on the way — well, here it is! This is Jasper’s clumsy attempt at play with a sleeping sibling.

Sapphire marching over Topaz.

But they still spend most of their time sleeping — and growing 🩷💙💙💙

Happy Monday!

(Later)

Star Garnet 🩷

Star Garnet walking!

Star Garnet sitting with Sapphire 🩷💙

More play!

Sapphire sitting.

Star Garnet on my lap 🩷

🩷💙💙💙

Day 11 (Slightly Updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 15, 2025

I think the first 10 - 11 days of a puppy’s life is really just an extension of being in utero. Compared to other animals — horses, cows, and goats, for example — a new puppy or kitten is helpless and essentially still on life support, so to speak. Their engagement with the outside environment is basically nil — they eat and sleep and grow.

But now — Day 11 — we are really starting to see things change. As I mentioned yesterday, both Jasper and Sapphire have eyes that are opening. Puppies are attempting to stand and walk (okay — lurch). And this morning we have yet another emerging developmental milestone!

These open mouth photos — all taken this morning — are a sign that play is coming soon.

Mouthing will be their first play activity, and so we can see that they are developing awareness of their mouths.

Puppies — and development — are fascinating.

The next week should be action-packed with developmental milestones.

Jasper continues to be a bold adventure puppy, striking in his size, substance, head, and flashy markings.

He was the heaviest puppy at birth (17 ounces) and remains the Heavyweight Champion at 45.6 ounces as of this morning.

Handsome Sapphire, however, is gaining — literally. He is now 41 ounces; at birth, he was 16.2.

Weight gain for all four puppies is quite consistent. Jasper is 2.7 times his birth weight, Star Garnet is 2.6 times her birth rate, and Sapphire and Topaz are each 2.5 times their birth weight.

Happy Sunday ❤️

(Later)

Puppies are now sitting up and air scenting…

All four puppies now have eyeballs showing 👀 👀 👀 👀

Rosebud loves the new cat bed (aka the puppy scale).

A sweet look at all four 🩷💙💙💙

Sweet Dreams 💤

Day Ten (Updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 14, 2025

Four puppies is so easy. Well, four healthy puppies with an attentive mom is so easy.

This second week is an especially relaxed week. The puppies still spend all their time sleeping or eating. This is Jasper on Star Garnet.

But changes are happening! This is Sapphire on Star Garnet, and he has a tiny bit of an eye showing today!

Did you know the eyes do not open all at once? It happens over several days, which is for the best. Can you imagine going from darkness to EVERYTHING bright?!

Sapphire is also doing great in his practices for standing and walking — look at him! Practically a self-stacker already.