Day 52 & 53 Chinook Centennial Litter Pup-date

I almost stayed asleep again without blogging - such is the life chasing 6 sever week old pups.
Day 52
Cries of excitement and commotion from the Pup-corral. Treadwell had figured out an escape route.

The problem was: how to get back in?

I really don't know why Chinooks like to "escape" their confines. They don't go anywhere once on the other side. McKenzie was the master Houdini. Throughout her life, she could open any unlocked door or closet and make her way out of any brand or type of crate. Koyuk, as a pup, was impossible to out-wit when it came to keeping her in the whelping box or pup-corral. She created and replicated step-by-step her often convoluted escape routes. Again, she has never gone anywhere other than the other side of the barrier.

"OK guys, how do I get back in?"

The human path proved futile.

 The cries not only brought me running with my camera, but Koyuk with a comforting milkbar.

I moved into the Pup-corral to see if I could discover Treadwell's route. It only took seconds after his milk snack to head right back to the weak spot in the wall. He was up and out with a few of his companions this time. More duct tape, another rope to an overhanging branch and industrial clamps later and the pups once again have a challenge.

Day 53
A beautiful day with more visitors and lots of admired puppy-breath.

 The Hoover pups provided an entertaining lunch show.

 Once again the day alternated between Eat, Play...

 and Crash

At one point Treadwell decided to test the vulnerability of the plastic fence in other places. I had placed a x-pen along the outside of one long stretch of fence I was not able to reinforce using a rope between trees. To avoid tunneling, the entire fence is secured at the bottom with 2x10 planks. Treadwell managed to get himself caught between the black plastic fencing and the x-pen. Of course he couldn't escape because of the board. Glen, a visitor, pulled him out and before I could get duct tape or clamps, three more pups had gotten trapped. The easiest solution was just to cut away the plastic leaving a wooden stake as a new chew object. I don't know if they actually knew that by removing the Velcro ties on the stake might lead to another exit or there was a great novelty in chewing them. All of the pups took turns at the challenge throughout the rest of the afternoon.

 Of course there was more play...

 Trask devouring puppy breath...

 visitors...

 Cedar too was excited to see Val.

and more visitors. Scott has been waiting three years to meet Trask ever since he stumbled upon him on-line. Note Washington seeking Scott's attention. They had not met yet.

Washington's new family (from central Washington and after a long drive with heavy traffic from everyone headed for the Oregon football game). Mr. Orange was as smitten with them as they were with him. He constantly sought Scott out during their visit.

The day was amazing beautiful. Clear skies, a slight breeze, temp in the 70s and lots of socialization and new challenges for the pups. Technically it is day 54 as I finish this but I do admit to an after dinner nap. Like the puppies, I ate, played and crashed.