Move in day at the Puppy Palace

Saturday was move in day. I did some final preparations early Saturday morning, stapling up electrical cords out of reach, switching out air conditioners, and putting up fencing. Then Jan and Paul came over to help carry Della's Dozen from the upstairs guest bedroom out to the new Puppy Palace. It didn't take very long at all for the pups to settle in and start enjoying the new space. There was more room to run and play and they took advantage of it. After an active play session, they crashed, predictably, unaware that even more space, more toys, more excitement awaited them outside.

Clay, Jan, and Paul carrying the puppies
out to the Puppy Palace

While puppies slept off the morning's excitement we did some final things with the outdoor play space. I completed the enclosure with some additional kennel panels and fencing and in the afternoon Erika and company arrived and we opened the big doors to let the puppies out to the yard. It won't be long before they are rushing the doors to get out, but this first time it was new and they didn't even know what they were supposed to do. There were two scary steps at the entrance and these pups had never seen stairs before. We ended up carrying them out but it didn't take too long before they were exploring the space on their own. There were lots of toys out there and new things to climb in, onto, and through. There were kids to play with and adults to snuggle with.

They enjoyed the new space immediately.

It was their biggest, longest, most energetic play session to date. They began to crash, crawling under the steps looking for a cozy place to sleep it off. We got them back inside for a good sleep but then took them out again in the evening. They've become more confident already, playing with the toys and moving around in the space on their own. Della seems to enjoy the new space too. She's been in to nurse them and also sort of playing with them, although I'm sure it's teaching them something they need to know.

Of course, after the initial excitement, it was time for a
group snooze in the new bed.

The pups were exhausted last night and so was I. Della wanted to get up at 3:00 a.m. to check on them, and we did.

Della came out to check on them and even fed them some.

How do you hide a 100+ pound Great Dane?
Cover her in puppies.

We got them all in the ball pit for a fleeting
moment.

They will soon be too big to go through these
but they are there for climbing.

Paulaner gets a ride.

The tunnel was a big hit.

My feeding trough idea didn't work out quite
as expected. Instead of lining up nicely to eat,
some of them climbed into it and brought it
down. Will need some modifications.

Della is actually spending more time with them now.

The puppy mobile has lots of toys hanging from
it. It's in use inside the shed now.

Modelo doing his best "sit."

In the evening they all came to the door when it was opened
but were still hesitant about the steps. They are better at going
up the stairs than coming down.

Della feeding her puppies.