So, our puppies turned 8 weeks old on Thursday and all 3 have gone to their new homes- one fairly nearby, one near Scranton, and one to Rhode Island.  We look forward to sharing pictures of them in their new homes once everyone is settled.

It's hard to believe that the tiny little puppies, weighing much less than a pound each at birth, left weighing 18 lbs, 17 lbs, and 14 lbs. respectively.  Mama did a good job with her puppies!

So, of course, the kids were very sad to see them leave, but, their sorrow is most likely be short-lived, especially because we have a surprise to introduce to the world!

Millie Grace entered our family today, April 27, 2019, after a long car ride from Philadelphia.  Millie was born on the same day as our puppies, so she is also 8 weeks old!   She belongs entirely to my daughter Ruth (9 years old) (who took out a loan from her parents to buy the puppy ;).)

While we could have kept a puppy from Bella's litter, we chose to try a different blood-line, just to keep some variety in the Gateway Golden dog population.  Millie's parents are both imported from Europe and both Millie's mom and dad score well on Penn-Hip, and we will work on getting the puppy her clearances before breeding in the future.

For now, the kids are enjoying their new baby!  She is a sweetie!

At 7 weeks old the puppies are running around anywhere they can get to. Elsa, our calmest puppy prefers to cuddle up and stay by her owner. Anna, on the other hand is way more active and likes to be let outside so she can run anywhere she pleases.  Brittney (not pictured) is somewhere in the middle as far as personalities go. On any day all of the puppies like to be outside in the fresh air. They are all getting big and friendly. The puppies are doing well and will be ready to go to their new homes in a little more than a week.

The puppies are 5 weeks old and are walking and playing around our yard.  They are adorable and their individual personalities are emerging nicely.  "Elsa" is our shyest girl, the last one to venture out of the puppy pen, while "Anna" is our most "lively" girl, reminding me the most of her vivacious mother. "Britney" is somewhere in the middle and was chosen by her family this week!

Here are some pictures of "Anna" below...

Our little puppies are four weeks old and have changed so much in the last few weeks.  They are definitely curious toddlers at this stage of life, eating solid food, as well as nursing, playing with toys and with each other and getting cuter every day.  They are little darlings! 

In big news this week, all three little girls have been spoken for by new families.   We are excited for their families to take them home in about four weeks, but we are also grateful that we get to have a little more time with them.  The kids, especially, are having so much fun "socializing" the puppies (i.e. playing with them whenever they get the chance!) 

If you were thinking of getting a puppy from this litter, but missed out, we will be happy to put your name on a waiting list.  Just let us know! 

So, the little girls are already two weeks old and their eyes are open!  The kids are excited because we are finally allowing them to hold the puppies, so they are spending their after school hours snuggling the pups!
The puppies can toddle around in their pool and before long will be in need of a bigger space.  But, for now, they still spend most of their time eating and sleeping, like good newborn babies.

It's amazing to see the transition in puppies from 2 weeks to 4 weeks old.  The next 2 weeks will bring big changes to the puppies, as they go from newborn babies to curious toddlers in the space of a couple of weeks.  

Here are some pictures of the puppies, who the kids are calling "Elsa," "Anna," and "Britney" while they spend their time with us.  

So, our gorgeous puppies are a week old today!  It is a smaller litter, so they are getting plenty of attention and food from Bella and are growing like weeds!  The kids, of course, are itching to touch them, but we are abiding by the "not holding them until their eyes are open" rule, which means they will need to wait another couple of weeks to begin holding the babies.  The kids can't wait!

Right now, all is calm in puppy-land as the pups spend most of their time sleeping and eating.  People are surprised how little they do in the beginning, but they are really like newborn babies for the first couple of weeks.  At about four weeks old, they start to show a little of their personalities, and after that, they really come into their own. 

I will try to update more as they continue to grow and develop!