Puppy Update
Pluto & Mars are doing just great. We adore them.
Pluto is going to be HUGE. They are both growing fast, but Pluto is getting bigger than Mars at an astounding rate and he isn't anywhere near grown into his feet yet.
The Planet Boys (as we call them) spend most days in the pen with the boy Alpacas who no longer regard them as much of a thing. This arrangement gives them more space to run around in than their pen affords and they are getting used to being with the Alpacas.
They like to help us round up the Pacas when we move them into the shelter or barn to work with them... they are so bouncy clumsy-stumbly they don't do a very good job yet, but they are valiantly trying! They will get better at it.
They will get rabies shots on Tuesday as our vet is coming for a ranch visit with the Pacas. We've been doing their other booster shots. Haven't had a chance to register them yet but will do that. They are healthy and beautiful and smart.
Boy are they smart! Pluto watched me open the gate latch to the Paca pen the other day so intently and carefully that I believe if he had thumbs, he'd be opening it for himself now. Since the latch is Paca-lip proof, it is also puppy proof fortunately. Thank goodness only monkeys have thumbs!
They know "BARN" and "HOME" (their pen) as commands and will happily accompany you to either location sans leash fairly reliably. They play tug and Pluto fetches. Mars is more attentive and obedient than independent stubborn Pluto. Both will walk fairly nicely on a leash now... not heeling, but no stubborn tugging or stopping either. They LOVE to go with you.
I introduced them to baby Opal the other day, and they licked all over her face. She is very curious about them, but she is still so little I'm not comfy leaving them in a pen together unattended yet. I'm afraid the puppies will bounce her... they are all made of springs and rubber bands and teeth. When the younger pacas get to running around and kicking up their heels, the puppies bark and bounce on their side of the fence and want to go play. It is going to be hard to teach them not to nip... Pacas being prey animals just don't understand dog games. They'll outgrow this eventually, but it will be another year or so before they do.
I need to take some more pics of the Planet Boys.
Pluto is going to be HUGE. They are both growing fast, but Pluto is getting bigger than Mars at an astounding rate and he isn't anywhere near grown into his feet yet.
The Planet Boys (as we call them) spend most days in the pen with the boy Alpacas who no longer regard them as much of a thing. This arrangement gives them more space to run around in than their pen affords and they are getting used to being with the Alpacas.
They like to help us round up the Pacas when we move them into the shelter or barn to work with them... they are so bouncy clumsy-stumbly they don't do a very good job yet, but they are valiantly trying! They will get better at it.
They will get rabies shots on Tuesday as our vet is coming for a ranch visit with the Pacas. We've been doing their other booster shots. Haven't had a chance to register them yet but will do that. They are healthy and beautiful and smart.
Boy are they smart! Pluto watched me open the gate latch to the Paca pen the other day so intently and carefully that I believe if he had thumbs, he'd be opening it for himself now. Since the latch is Paca-lip proof, it is also puppy proof fortunately. Thank goodness only monkeys have thumbs!
They know "BARN" and "HOME" (their pen) as commands and will happily accompany you to either location sans leash fairly reliably. They play tug and Pluto fetches. Mars is more attentive and obedient than independent stubborn Pluto. Both will walk fairly nicely on a leash now... not heeling, but no stubborn tugging or stopping either. They LOVE to go with you.
I introduced them to baby Opal the other day, and they licked all over her face. She is very curious about them, but she is still so little I'm not comfy leaving them in a pen together unattended yet. I'm afraid the puppies will bounce her... they are all made of springs and rubber bands and teeth. When the younger pacas get to running around and kicking up their heels, the puppies bark and bounce on their side of the fence and want to go play. It is going to be hard to teach them not to nip... Pacas being prey animals just don't understand dog games. They'll outgrow this eventually, but it will be another year or so before they do.
I need to take some more pics of the Planet Boys.