Kate’s “Z” girls, Zoe and Zelda are seven weeks and four days old. They’re learning many new things at once: to climb on a series of low steps in the garden when they can’t yet navigate the high ones, to steer clear of their aunties’ and grandmother’s nipples – there is no milk and their relatives aren’t going to accommodate them, and that sitting quickly will yield privileges like petting, holding, and outdoor play.
They’re learning to hold their heads still while children gently pet their sides and backs, and to roll lightly to their backs for belly rubs from everyone. They’re already pros at car rides and they last for five hours of sweet peace in their closed individual crates at bedtime, and they know that I really will get up and let them relieve themselves at four in the morning. They are thoroughly reliable on their potty pad, although they don’t know how happy this achievement makes my family and me.
They’re practicing with increasing amounts of dry kibble mixed with their softened food, and they realize how useful their teeth can be. They meet several new people each day and they know that that’s worth a full-body wag for joy. We’re in the home stretch!
Here is Zelda.
And Zoe.
And my view pushing our puppy stroller through the neighborhood on a beautiful Boise afternoon this week.
