Arrow Lake Let go ideas you had about nutrition and alarm clocks

"Milk incisors present at 15 days; can eat small pieces of regurgitated meat. Begin to stand and walk; vocalizations include growls, whimpering and squeaks, first high-pitched attempts at howling." Close enough to 15 days!

Dragomir's development was kicked into high gear from the moment he opened his eyes. His vision was quickly clearing up so he could perceive more than just shadows and shapes now, and he had discovered newfound strength in all of his limbs. Rather than clambering awkwardly around on the floor like a worm, he had begun to raise himself up on first his forelegs, and then his hinds had followed suit. Soon enough he was able to stand in place with surprising stability, and it wasn't long after that he attempted his first steps.

Although he could stand securely, with nary a wobble, coordinating his legs to go was much harder. Several dozen attempts saw him careening to the side when he so much as scooted a foot forward. Several dozen more saw him managing one wobbling step before somehow tangling himself up and falling over. At least fifty attempts ended in a faceplant, followed by a frustrated wail or sob. Despite all these failures and the resultant pain, Dragomir remained undeterred, and after a few long days of trying, managed to take three shaky steps toward the dark shade that was @Vercingetorix before he fell on his bottom with an excited yip.

Like many new fathers, Vercingetorix was on the opposite side of these three momentous steps, cheering his son on (though sans video camera, of course). Good job, kiddo! he exclaimed softly, beaming even as the boy lurched backward. He gave him an affectionate few licks on the dome. Look at you go. You're gonna be over the hills and far away in no time.

Actually, that was a fucking terrifying thought, so he vowed never to think of it again.

The pups' eyes were open and they were beginning the long process of weaning. The days really were flying by. Diaspora was becoming more and more familiar--if not quite home--and everyone had been decent to them. Life was good here, but it wouldn't be nearly as good without his son and daughter. They were, quite literally, his night and his day. They kept him going when he otherwise wouldn't have.

Verx flopped over onto his side with a whoomph, eyes rolling to stare at his son. Here, come climb your daddy the mountain, he offered, taking a deep breath and then letting it out, his abdomen rising and falling dramatically with the action.

It was only three little steps, but it was farther than Dragomir was able to drag himself in three wiggles, and that made it doubly exciting. Add Vercingetorix's enthusiasm to it, and Dragomir was soon awash in burbling baby giggles, with thin tail helicoptering across the ground. He leaned back from his father's lick, once again displaying a characteristic reluctance to be touched on his face, then lurched forward when Verx pulled away.

He didn't quite make it to his paws this time; the roly poly ball of somersaulted instead, a disruption that was met with an offended cry of whuuuuugh! By the time his dizziness wore off, Verx had already settled himself on his side and was beckoning. Dragomir gave his head a cartoonish shake, managed two more steps, then crawled on his belly the rest of the way to Vercingetorix's elbow.

An elbow that suddenly became acquainted with Drago's newly crowning milk teeth.

He grinned as Drago tumbled over, although with the tinge of wariness he always felt (what if he hit his head and just like, never woke up?!). He was therefore relieved when the boy got up and came to his side. All could be forgiven in that wonderful moment, even a bite to the elbow.

Ow, Verx remarked dryly at the sharp little burst of pain, knitting his brows at Dragomir. That's not very nice. What if I just came up and bit you, huh?

Well, maybe not bite, but he could tease a bit. He lifted his head and twisted his neck to push his muzzle toward the boy's belly, hoping to tickle the sensitive skin there. Emily doesn't know if he got there or not because what even is anatomy? and you can decide, how about that.

Dragomir found his way onto his side as he gnawed insistently at Vercingetorix's muscled elbow, working his sore gums and milk teeth with some urgency against the meat there. He was nowhere near strong enough to do real damage to his father yet, but it was likely a little uncomfortable all the same. Too bad, dad, Drago had a propensity for biting that would likely carry all the way into adulthood.

He squealed when Verx shifted, then dissolved into shrieking laughter when his father's muzzle pressed into his stomach. His whole figure shook with it as he flailed his legs around, attempting to grab hold of his sire's face and push it away. Damn, was his belly ever ticklish.

Dragomir's laughter was fucking contagious; Verx burst into hoarse giggles himself at the sound of it, even as the boy pummeled his face. Oh, yeah, that tickles, huh? he chuckled like a loon. If he were human, he'd blow raspberries into Drago's belly. As it was, he merely settled for licks and toothless nips, continuing to laugh and laugh and laugh.

When he'd spent himself with teasing and guffaws, he laid back, breathing a little hard, every once in a while a hysterical, strangled sound leaving his lips. His dual-colored eyes wandered to his son, brows raised in query. You wear me out, kid, he said quietly. Can't imagine when you start learning how to spar. I'm gonna need to take a lot of naps.

Fading here so you don't need to worry about this after your tech vacation!

Dragomir literally giggled little baby giggles until he peed himself, then giggled somewhere despite shrieking in protest at the damp spot between his tiny legs. Vercingetorix was unrelenting in his torment, and Dragomir was unable to beg for mercy. Before things got too bad, Verx stopped. By then, Drago was also completely out of breath and his laughter was turning to agonized gasps.

He'd never been hurt in his life, but the muscles in his little stomach strained and ached. Whining against what was surely the world's cruelest injustice, Dragomir managed to roll himself onto his side, eyes streaming with tears, and panted into the dirt. It was ineffective, but luckily Vercingetorix was also tired and couldn't resume his assault. Dragomir found himself winding down quite quickly; before long, his eyelids were drooping and his head was bobbing forward, signalling that he was about to pass out right then and there.

Which he did, flopping face-first down on the floor.