Our Morning Routine (Pics)
So some people have been asking me how I have been managing with having a litter here, 2 adult dogs, kids(one a toddler) AND being pregnant. Well it is not easy so don't let me fool you that way. But I thought I would let you in on a bit of our routine around here. And I have some pictures to help describe it.
When we get up in the morning everyone here knows that the first priority is the animals. We do not eat till they have. I find this can teach a child a lot in putting someone or something before themselves. So the kids first job with the pets is to distract the pups to the potty end of the whelping box so I can vacuum the carpet(sleeping) end. The vacuum is a toy to them. They are not the least bit scared of the noise and will come check it out and get in the way if the kids don't distract them. So I vacuum and the pups get attention. After all is cleaned up then I check the water and clean out the dish while my 8yr old gets breakfast for her brother and her self. This takes her about 10 minutes so by then the pups are already eating. So I wash out the water and put the dish back and add fresh water. I do this 3 times a day to make sure it is always fresh and clean. Then I make up the puppy food and call them to teh clean carpet area to have breakfast. While they eat I then feed the dogs. This is usually Dedricks chore but since mornings are so rushed with all the pups we decided to let him feed the cats till the pups go to their new homes. Until then hubby and I do it. Then while they eat I vacuum the livingroom. I am having to do that 3 times a day as well. Worth it though.
By the time the dogs are done their breakfast the pups are as well and this is the picture that usually greets me when I check on them to take the dish away:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10A.jpg
After I take the dish away Sheena then goes in to feed the thirsty boys. She rarely lays down anymore. She seems to find it much easier to sit to feed them:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10B.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10C.jpg
After she thinks they have had enough she will stand up and clean up their crumbs from their breakfast. But as you can see that does not mean they stop feeding:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10D.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10E.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10F.jpg
Once the carpet is all clean then Sheena leaves. She is feeding them a lot less now and staying in there less as well.
That is when it is time for the pups to get thier group playtime out of the box. And they KNOW it. But I do not let them out till they go pee. So I sit by the door and watch. As one goes then as soon as they are done I lift them out for them to run around and play with all the puppy toys and kids. We do this about 2 times a day. Once in the morning and once at night. But as we wait patiently for them to potty some of the more stuborn ones come to the door area to try and beg me with their eyes and whines and even howls(yup dark blue knows how to howl) to let them out without having to potty. I never give in but it is cute to watch. So here is what I usually see as I wait.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10G.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10H.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10I.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2003/FA10J.jpg
