Day 18 (updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 22, 2025

I want to begin by acknowledging that difficult things are happening in our country and the world. I feel it deeply. But this space will be a break. A place to come and feel the warm fuzzies, so to speak. Because while there are challenges and conflicts happening, we all still have opportunities for joy — puppies, for example. It is okay and even necessary to feel all the feels.

The KaiBabz are settling into life in the whelping box, but they do have a tendency to gossip.

Star Garnet: “And then KaiBabz #2 told me that Jasper told KaiBabz#1 that he was going to have a red carpet and I couldn’t go because I am not pink like the Glam Lambz. They all get to go, and KaiBob and I can’t go because we aren’t glam. And when I asked Jasper about it, he just bit my nose.”

Jasper: “Well, she isn’t glam and neither is KaiBob. Also, I don’t have teeth and so it is not true that I bit her nose.”

Jasper sits in time out for inciting the Glam Lambz, and hurting the feelings of KaiBob and Star Garnet.

Topaz and Sapphire wisely stayed above the fray.

After his time out was over, Jasper attempted to run away — he didn’t get too far.

But like siblings everywhere, Jasper and Star Garnet got over their spat quickly and were back to being besties 🙄

🩷💙💙💙

Happy Sunday, Friend.

(Later)

The puppies can now hear! Their ears are perking up all the time now — so cute!

Star Garnet decided to just go over — but got stuck.

Jasper and Sapphire trying to figure out how to get turned back over.

This is Jasper and Star Garnet.

We spent some time on the deck again. This is Jasper.

Topaz.

Sapphire.

Another perfect day 🩷💙💙💙

Day 17 (Updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 21, 2025

This morning I heard what I thought was distant neighbor dog barking. Nope — it was SAPPHIRE!!!! He was doing little tiny baby puppy barks 💙 SO CUTE.

Star Garnet is a bit of a busybody these days — this is her with Capella.

I think Topaz takes striking photos 💙

This tangle of puppies makes me laugh 😂

And Jasper continues to dream of his escape.

Today’s adventures will include their first outside outing. Novel is important to normal puppy development but too much generates stress, which I want to avoid. It is not unlike training a dog — you want to focus on one new variable at a time.

Therefore, puppies will be outside but with their mom and one of the usual fleeces under them so the novel part — being outdoors — is well supported by familiar.

It should be fun 🎉

🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

The puppies had three visitors today — Cindy, Kira, and Adeline (seen here with Jasper).

They helped transport puppies for the first outside outing — it was easy and uneventful. Something interesting — it turns out Jasper is a bit of a poser.

Siblings off in every direction but not Jasper — he just sat there like a handsome little statue. I think he was practicing for the red carpet.

Star Garnet, not to be outdone by her brother, decided she could pose as well. So they both posed!

While we were outside, KaiBob was dealing with a situation.

“I have a baaaaad feeling about this,” he said to himself.

Yes, the Gems got flocked.

Poor KaiBob! He was outnumbered.

The four KaiBabz just trotted right on in like they owned the place.

They have no sense of personal space! What the heck, KaiBabz — were you raised in a barn?!

KaiBob was worried that he would be put out to pasture now that the glam lambz are in town. Nonsense, KaiBob! Loyalty is a virtue that matters.

And there is room in our whelping box for old friends and new friends ❤️

Day 16 (Updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 20, 2025

Just a reminder — all puppy eyes look blue-gray! This is Jasper and Star Garnet (with Topaz).

So much playing but only for a few minutes because puppies need their growing sleep! These next two photos capture Topaz and Star Garnet playing together.

This photo offers an explanation as to why there are rails in the whelping box. Puppies are less likely to be squished when there is a protected space for them. That is Jasper — he loves being under the rails.