It has been a week and a half since the puppies were smuggled out of the harbor and deposited safely at Animal SOS. Walking through the harbor just hasn't been the same without seeing the six of them sprinting toward us at top speed. I missed them. So I called the shelter and made plans to go hang out and volunteer!
When I arrived, the puppies were still in their cage inside the clinic, above another cage containing five other puppies. I played with them inside for a long time, and also made friends with the resident one-eyed cat, Boris. Boris (a girl cat) climbs up and down the cages and loves playing with all the puppies. The puppies liked to run directly at her and then hop around her in circles, barking. For her part, Boris just looked at them and occasionally tried to rub her face on them; she even lets them chew on her ears!
That very day the puppies were scheduled to be moved to an outdoor pen. The pen is set a little ways back on the Animal SOS land and is gated off from the main pack of dogs that have the run of the property. This would allow them to be outside and have more room to run and play, plus the two cages of puppies were being combined to form their own puppy pack. Eleven puppies!!
Here's what their new home looks like from outside:
And here's the view from the inside:
Ok I'm kidding, but that is how most of my pictures turned out. Here's what it really looks like:
The puppies were very excited to have company in their new space. I sat down on the bench, which prompted the puppies to try and get up to sit next to me. They're still pretty little and needed some help. I obliged Two Spot here.
This pen has many amenities, including a tree in one corner. At the base of this tree is dirt. Very quickly, paws became muddy as they started working on digging a hole. (Very important puppy business.) Air Bud looks so innocent but the evidence is all over her feet!
The stairs were also a very exciting new feature; they enjoyed running up and down them at the only speed puppies know - as fast as they can. They're all clumsy but determined, and even a stumble down a couple stairs couldn't deter them from trying it again! Here's Three Spot, victorious at the top.
Although the puppies knew I was there, every time I stood up it was like they had momentarily forgotten. They swarmed my feet excitedly and it was hard to walk around!
Eventually it was feeding time. That was a sight to see! Three trays of food were brought out, but instead of spreading themselves out evenly, all eleven finished the first tray, moved to the second and inhaled that, and finally demolished the third. Gone at light speed!
After dinner, it was nap time. Two Spot and Skinny Brown curled up right behind me in a pile. Skinny Brown used to be the shyest and hardest to catch, but she was jumping around me for attention more than any of the others! She's become so friendly!
The stairs also make a good napping spot, as Air Bud and Big Spot can attest to. Three Spot is more interested in my camera...
... or maybe he just wanted the top step.
And now for the Coffee Black Collection. All these puppies are adorable and personable, but CB is still my favorite! She's very smart, attentive, and incredibly bouncy. She liked to lay close to me. Really close!
So cute, look at that face!
Paws make good pillows.
Eventually it was time to go. There were 150+ other dogs to play with and feed, and our puppies were tired out after their first day playing in their new, bigger pen. Animal SOS is an awesome place full of dogs who all want to sit in your lap, be held, play, or at least bark at the new person! I think a trip back may be in order. I don't think I can stay away from this...
