5/18/2018 0 Comments First SocializationPuppies had their first socialization Friday evening and this afternoon. They took turns leaving 2 at a time so as to not unsettle mom.
Each puppy met at least 4-5 new people, getting pet or held for about an hour at Urfer Family Park. It takes a village to raise a puppy and they have my thanks. Brown parti slept through most of it. Black white face was very active. Black tri howled a bit in objection at being disturbed. Black white nose was active and ended up peeing while I had helpers(kids) do early neurological stimulation. Buff stayed calm. Black male howled a bit on the way over then settled. They did very well(not afraid at all). We'll see how that holds up after their ears open(which should be any moment now and I keep clapping to see if they react); when that happens, it's a whole new(scary) world out there!
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5/16/2018 0 Comments Standing!Mother's Day was celebrated by mom with half of a rotisserie chicken.
Today, buff was caught standing fairly upright on all four legs! Tricolor is working on standing upright in the front legs. While still very shakey, it all counts as "baby steps" towards walking. Puppies had their first deworming and nail trims(no more needle sharp claws!) and second sponge baths. They still fuss or cry at being picked up unless their rear feet are touching a surface, but their hearts aren't pounding as much. The pudgey ears are starting to thin and the ear canals are getting closer and closer to opening. They are getting combed about twice a day. Mom got a hamburger patty for dinner. Weights (highest to lowest) 2 lb 0.1 oz Brown parti 1 lb 14.5 oz Black female (white face) 1 lb 12.6 oz Black tri 1 lb 11.9 oz Black female (white nose) 1 lb 7.8 oz Buff 1 lb 2.7 oz Black male Runt is slightly up from half of the largest, but still clearly holding his status as runt. 5/12/2018 0 Comments Big EatersMom has eaten 4.5 cups of food since 3am. It's only 4pm.
When not pregnant, she gets about 1.5 cups (she's active). In full swing(puppies are still pretty young) nursing moms eat 5 times their usual, so that's 7.5 cups. 5/11/2018 0 Comments Puppy Observations (1)Black with white marks(white nose) Female
"Active" being relative, such as scooting around to chase down mom fairly quickly and not being as sleepy when woken up "Jeepers, creepers, where'd you get those peepers!" Delightful surprise: all eyes opened yesterday, however brown particolor barely opened one eye. Puppies are making lots of noises, between lip smacking sucking sounds, a long twirly bird-like sound, "nnwrr wer wrr wrrrrrr" and a soft short call, "AH-ur-errrr". Ears are not yet open so they can't hear. 5/8/2018 0 Comments Introducing the litter!The litter has made it through their first week.
Mom has been leaving the litter for up to an hour. Dad still bolts at the sight of a puppy in my bed, where he prefers to sleep, but will check them out in their den. They have 3 modes: FEED ME! I NEED MOMMY! and Sleeping: Do not disturb -- or the mode cycle resets to FEED ME! Photos are getting harder as the puppies are getting very squirmy and disturbing nap time for photos is an instant "On" to start looking for food. They can cry very loudly. 5/3/2018 0 Comments Milk Buffet"Now serving puppies 24/7."
The decision to leave the puppies to go potty is well debated and mom is only going out when necessary, then, fast as lightning, she's back to her puppies. The smell of cooking left little debate and mom came out to enjoy her steak meal. 5/1/2018 0 Comments Puppies are comingAfter a 4 hour nap falling asleep next to me, active labor began at 7AM.
First time mom is being attentive and not liking me taking them a foot away for drying off and weigh ins. 4/27/2018 0 Comments Almost? But then no.Mom, an avid eater, did not eat breakfast.
This is a major sign of labor. I offered it to her 3 hours later and she ate it, plus seconds. She ate all her dinner, plus a carrot. So, there goes the puppy expectation. One more week until puppies are due! Suspense! Cooked pork ribs as a treat. Time to defrost the whole turkey. Nomnomnom. I will not be surprised if there are at least 6 good sized puppies. Hoping all are born healthy and strong. Hoping first time mom is a good mom. I can totally do without pregnant dog farts. (More food = more farts.) 4/24/2018 0 Comments Puppies kicking in mom's tummy!On mom's left side, there were 3 distinct kicking points last night. The middle one was particularly forceful. Puppies can arrive up to 5 days before the due date, so, if they come early, they could be here in just seven days!
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July 2018
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