10-23-05 -- Pineapple gave birth to four large, noisy puppies on Saturday, October 22nd. There are two males (one tri, one red) and two females (one tri, one red). Pineapple is a great mom; she and the puppies are doing just fine. 11-03-05 Update -- Puppies are now 12 days old, and growing rapidly; they've roughly doubled their birth weight. Kiwi's eyes are fully open now, and we have one eye partially open on the others. Mango is almost walking. Pineapple continues to be a perfect Mom. 11-04-05 Update -- Everybody went to visit the Obstetrician this morning, and were all pronounced in great health. All the puppies have their eyes open now, and are becoming more mobile and less dependent on Mom (who's enjoying some time off). 11-06-05 Update -- Puppies were 2 weeks old yesterday, and are starting to walk and explore the whelping box. The boys seem to be a half-size larger than the girls. 11-09-05 Update -- Kiwi & Papaya are now over 4 pounds; Mango & Pomegranate are nearly 4 pounds, and are both getting supplemental feedings to ensure that they're getting plenty to eat. They were all just over one pound at birth. 11-12-05 Update -- Pups are 3 weeks old today. Kiwi & Papaya are 4¾ lbs, Mango & Pomegranate are 4½ lbs. All are quite mobile and sitting up more. They had their first taste of baby cereal this afternoon. Yum yum!     Their ears are really starting to grow now...as you can see in the new photos below. 11-19-05 Update -- Pups are 4 weeks old today. They're now eating baby cereal (with occasional baby veggies) four times per day; they devour 2-2½ cups (total, not each) at every meal. Everyone but Mango is now over 6 pounds (she's a dainty 5lbs 10ozs); you can track their weights on the new "Puppy Weights" graph -- just CLICK. They've become quite alert and playful, sleeping a little less each day. Small stuffed toys are almost as much fun to chew on as siblings. We're going through old newspapers at an alarming rate. They'll be climbing out of the whelping box in just a day or two. 11-26-05 Update -- Pups are 5 weeks old today. They're fully weaned, and devouring 4 huge meals each day (baby cereals, canned puppy meat, puppy kibble, misc. baby foods). Mom visits them several times per day wearing her T-shirt to prevent nursing. Kiwi & Papaya are over 8 pounds, Mango & Pomegranate are almost 7½ pounds; you can track their weights on the "Puppy Weights" graph -- just CLICK. All are rambunctious and noisy, but still sleep about 18-20 hrs. daily. Sherlock's Mom brought them each a new squeaky toy -- big hit! They enjoy daytime in their heated playroom in the garage, but still spend the night in their whelping box (with the door slide in place to prevent escape).   See their 5 week portraits below (note luncheon residue on ears). 12-3-05 Update -- Pups are 6 weeks old today. They're set free to romp in the kitchen every morning after breakfast; Mom grooms and plays with them during this long romp. Kiwi, taking after her Dad, is 10½ pounds; Papaya is over 9½, Pomegranate at 9 lbs even, and our delicate flower, Mango, is a dainty 8¼ lbs. You can track their weights on the "Puppy Weights" graph -- just CLICK. They are really enjoying their soft toys, and relish their rawhide chew sticks. Their play, accompanied by much growling and snarling, is very entertaining to watch.   See their 6 week portraits -- their first time on the grooming table, attempting to stack. 12-5-05 Update -- Puppies went for their first vaccinations and checkups this morning; nobody cried and everybody was in perfect health. Everyone at the Vet's office instantly fell for them. 12-10-05 Update -- Puppies are 7 weeks old today, and distinct personalities have developed. They each devour more than two cups of puppy kibble each day (plus some canned meat), and their weight gain reflects it: Kiwi now 12½ lbs, Mango 10, Papaya 12, and Pomegranate 11¼. Several times per day they have playtime with Mom, Aunt Sugar & cranky old Aunt Lizzie on a big blanket in the heated garage; everything is a toy (eg, empty paper towel roll, paper grocery bag, foil pie pan); visitors are common at playtime. This is entertainment at its finest! 12-12-05 Update -- The pups have outgrown their whelping box and are now sleeping overnight in the heated garage. This morning, they were still asleep (and toasty warm) when breakfast was served at 7AM; previously, they were quite vocal by that time. Large bags of puppy kibble are diappearing quickly. 12-17-05 Update -- The puppies are 8 weeks old today. The girls (Kiwi & Mango) each gained 2 pounds this week; the boys a bit less. They're not quite as ravenous at each meal, sometimes taking only a "light" snack. Their individual personalities have really blossomed; Mango & Papaya remain the lovers while Kiwi & Pomegranate are still the fiestiest. Their ears are down to the point of being stepped on regularly, and will continue so for several weeks. Four-way tug-of-wars are the most humorous events during out-of-playpen frolics. 12-24-05 Update -- The puppies are 9 weeks old today. They had their 2nd vaccinations yesterday and are now ready to venture out into the world. Tomorrow, Mom and the pups will travel to Albuquerque for a Christmas frolic on a nice, grassy lawn. The boys (Papaya & Pomegranate) each gained more than 2½ pounds this week; the girls just a bit less. Individual personalities are now quite distinct...and highly entertaining! They've almost outgrown their large playpen, preferring to practice unrestrained pillaging and looting in the garage. They're sleeping a good bit less now, preferring to spend their time playing, yapping at one another, and just looking around.