The puppies have found that their daytime hours spent in the kitchen with me allow them to be more adventurous and they have quickly become accustomed to a routine.
Breakfast at 7 a.m. in the kitchen affords them the opportunity to eat and then play.......play, sleep and play even more. This continues until their bedtime sometime between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., at which time they are moved back into their enclosure where they proceed to tear up the paper and have a melee of sorts prior to crashing into their bed for a night's sleep. It sounds like a mini war but it is great fun for them I'm sure.

You just haven't lived until you try to fix a meal in a kitchen with 9 rambunctious puppies underfoot.
Welcome to my world !! The smells of our dinner being prepared are just as enticing as the smells that eminate from their own food pans at scheduled feeding times so you only need imagine the dance that I do with them dashing in and around my legs. Sometimes it just isn't pretty but it surely can be hilarious to the casual observer who giggles at my "dance moves". I can be rather amazing in my ability to move quickly and land on my feet in such a way as to avoid stepping onto those tiny puppy paws and that's not easy for a person my age. It's less of a contact sport and more along the lines of ballet actually

I am seeing very clear differences in the personality traits that I suspect will change little as they mature into grown adults. Subtle body language can be a clear indicator of rank within the pack order.
Puppies that I once thought might be more sub-dued in nature have taken on a totally different demeanor while others that I had suspicioned would be bold and out there......are now more content to be in the background. Do not mistake my words in that no one puppy tends to be shy or lacking confidence but there are clearly a few who view themselves as always in control of any situation.
I must say that this litter is one of the most mellow litters I have ever raised here. They are easily made happy and quite content in every regard. They love to be held and cuddled and attention is most welcome to each and every puppy.

That said, I can assure every perspective new owner that when they go to their new homes, they will begin to emerge into the active and energy laced little creatures that every single German Shorthair is destined to be. I have no illusions that they will be couch potatoes because that clearly won't happen so don't think for a minute that it will. They are bundles of energy that run laps around the kitchen table and then joyfully pounce on their littermates whether they are prepared or not. Playtime is a time for roughhousing and the occasional ear tug and tail biting. It's all in a day's play for this little band of active 6 week old shorthairs who take great delight in an occasional ankle bite or attacking my hand as I attempt to pick up their droppings....sometimes making more mess than they did the first time around.

I am always asked if I am sad when the day comes for them to go to their new homes. The answer is that while I will always miss them and will forever love them, I know that I am placing them with wonderful families who will enjoy their antics and their aptitude for making me laugh every bit as much. Racing me for the mop as it scurries across the floor to clean endless puddles and jumping into multiple layers of paper towels laden with discarded " food no longer in use" is more than one person should claim to enjoy for weeks on end.
Why should I have all of the fun ????

But yes, I will surely miss each and every little face that looks at me at the beginning of every morning and the last thing every night as if to let me know that I am the most important being in their life right now. It really is the best and I cherish and will remember every moment of my time that I am blessed to have them here with me.

More to come .......................