Every snuffle and squeak of six newborn puppies snuggling together in Finland is captured by cameras monitoring their development in the first weeks of their lives—all for science, of course. Even though the puppies mostly nap and nurse, they’ve entranced millions of Finnish viewers and others around the world through “Pentulive,” a 24/7 “slow TV” livestream from Finland’s national public broadcaster, Yle, per the AP. “Pentu” means puppy in Finnish. The puppies’ mother, a 5-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo dog named Hilkka, gave birth to four males and two females on Oct. 10. “They are just opening their eyes and their ears,” Pirjo Koskinen, a Yle journalist who came up with the idea for “Pentulive,” said on Thursday. “They are taking their first clumsy steps.”
In less than two weeks, the livestream, now in its sixth season, had more than 6 million views on social media alone in the nation of 5.7 million. A naming ceremony is set for Saturday. The programming incorporates science through chat sessions with viewers three times a week, as well as a podcast and online articles detailing the dogs’ development. The audience can watch the puppies grow, as well as track their milestones. Seeing the puppies attempt to make a mad dash to their mother for milk can trigger an increase in levels of a hormone called oxytocin in a human brain, Koskinen said. This so-called love hormone can help create social bonding, as well as reduce anxiety. “It’s pretty much a sign of the times that people crave … this kind of small escape,” said “Pentulive” producer Jyri Loikkanen. The puppies will be adopted mid-December by people chosen by the breeder. More here.