Day Ten, Morning - In which I continue to devise ways of keeping the puppies confined to the kitchen at night. During the day, the pups are outside with the resident four, of course with complete access to the doggie door, which each of then know how to use now. They are growing! I probably ought to crate them at night, but given my first night's experience with that idea, I think I'll just keep them confined to the kitchen. Sullivan has become quite an accomplished climber. He wedges himself between the barricade and the refrigerator, and works his way over the barricade. Garrison watched once, and has attempted the same maneuver, with some success. Warren is more interested in the treats on the counter than he is in escaping. All three boys are snuggle monsters, and love to be held. I cleaned Garrison's ears, and for all the whining, struggling and whimpering, he finally settled down and actually LIKED it. Warren and Sullivan's ! ears are amazingly clean. I am considering tackling nail clipping next, as I made the mistake of wearing shorts on one trip into the kitchen. I look like a huge tom cat used my legs for a scratching post.

Day Ten, Evening - In which Garrison meets a toad. I knew there were toads in the back yard because I saw one the day I mowed the lawn. Garrison gave chase to this toad across the yard toward the fence, hopping along as it hopped along, and trying to catch it in his paws. The toad was just a bit too fast for him, though. The toad executed the most perfect long jump through the chain link fence just when Garrison was about to pounce on him.

The kittens continue to be a source of fascination, although only from a distance. We are keeping them separated, as the kittens have been traumatized enough already, and the dogs don't need sliced noses!

Sullivan and Warren are practicing the fine art of hole digging. I almost broke my ankle by stepping into one of their most recent projects while watching Garrison with the toad. The most interesting thing is that none of the dogs digs at the fence. This may be because the residents know they can't dig out under the fence, so they've somehow told the puppies not to bother. I'd love to know what the dogs are thinking. Paging Dr. Doolittle!

I block the pups into the kitchen, where hopefully they will stay for the night. They settle down almost immediately, which is a first. This also means that they will be up at o'dark thirty, wanting food.

I take the residents for their walks, and finally, at about 11PM, I sit down for the first time since I got home. I am the last one to bed again, but this time, I remember to bring a blanket, so tonight, at least, I have some covers.