Graduation Day

Della and Clay and I went to the puppy class again Thursday evening. It was graduation day and the last time they will all be together for a while.

The pups were happy to see Della and most all of them did the happy puppy submissive urination thing when they met her again. Once again I think Della was confused and perhaps a bit concerned upon seeing them all. I got the feeling that she was afraid they would all be coming home with us and she'd be responsible for them again. Della enjoyed seeing all the people more than the pups, but everyone, people and puppies, were happy to see her.

They had grown so much that she had to sniff them to be sure they were hers. The biggest of the boys are pushing 80 pounds now. The smallest of the girls are over 60 pounds. They still have a lot of growing to do too. They were 19 weeks old today. It seems like a long time ago, but it also seems like just yesterday when they were being born. We waited about 12 hours from start to finish, one per hour on average although they came out at irregular intervals. Thus began a 24 hour watch over those pups that went on for weeks, worrying about suckling ability, mastitis, weight gain, crush injuries, suffocation, and the dreaded "P" word. Later we worried about keeping them socialized, stimulated, entertained, and learning.

We assured Della that they all had good homes, and they do, but I think she was relieved when we left without bringing any with us. She loved her puppies and she did an amazing job with them, but she likes her life as it is now, and so do we. Before we left we finally signed the adoption paperwork making Della one of our pack. A mere formality, of course, she has been one of us since she first arrived.

Della's right eye has always spoken to me.
It looks directly into me and makes a connection.
It's the most expressive and communicative
part of her and it never fails to let me know
what she is thinking. Here it's saying "They
aren't all coming home with us, are they?"

Della worked the room, meeting all the people, probably
to make sure they were planning to take their puppy
back home with them.

Poppy Peroni recognized me and insisted
upon being picked up and held once again.
I was happy to oblige.

This dog made 12 very fine Great Dane puppies. Their new
homes will make them into 12 very fine Great Dane dogs.