The puppies now have access to the whole back garden with the exception of the pond, so when I let them out the whole litter troop to the bottom of the garden to use the area they have chosen for their toilet. I am amazed at how good they are, and some of them ask to go out, which means that I have very little clearing up to do in the kitchen.
The fine weather this week has meant that the puppies have been able to enjoy being outside, and they have made themselves hidey-holes in the gazebo and underneath the upturned kayaks. I am constantly doing a head count, but one day only nine came when called, then I could hear frantic whimpering from indoors, and realised that one of them had followed Bear the kitten through the cat-flap. Bear plays with them, patting their bottoms, then running off, and deals them a slap with sheathed claws if they push the limits of her tolerance.
Clare and Lauren from Bourne Vets proved an efficient team when they came to the house on Thursday to give the puppies their first vaccinations and microchips, and they were both very complimentary about my standards of cleanliness and the condition of the puppies. I will worm the puppies again before they leave me, but apart from that, everything is in place for them to leave for their new homes next week.
