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November 9, 2010 |
The second "puppy shot" was administered to all.
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October 20, 2010 |
Well, yellow girl was outside and somehow
snuck into the middle forty. "Jamie", my Gordon, was loose
and she went up to him to play, and then to nurse. He gave
me a look that only a Gordon setter can give you, and she
looked at me like "What's up with this - no milk....?
Pretty funny!
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October 20, 2010 |
Have been swamped and unable to keep progress report
updated...so sorry. Photos from week 9 candids and head
and stacks (what I could get) will be loaded shortly.
Made the mistake of putting the grooming table in big
open area where they wanted to play - so distractions
were high and stacks were difficult! Cathy and Dave
helped me with shots and Cathy tried stacking green
boy, and photos are cute as he decided to sit rather
than stack. Very precious photos of mom Sarah enjoying
the pups in the bushes.
Should be able to get better photos on next weekend.
Having major remodeling issues as dishwasher hose broke
and flooded under cabinets, so contractor central
here...asbestos testing, mold remediation, pull cabinets out,
new counter tops eventually and hardwood floors need to
be replaced. Needless to say a mess. And NO ONE seems
to understand that functioning without a kitchen with
14 dogs (8 pups and 6 adults) will be nearly impossible.
Blue boy it appears gotten bitten by something - probably
a spider on Sunday. We were at vets Sunday afternoon did
x-rays nothing (I thought maybe he swallowed something)
and as fast as symptoms appeared, after getting sub-Q fluids
and NPO, he was fine the next day.
They are into EVERYTHING. Yesterday a friend came over
to look at litter and evaluate and it was pouring down
rain....so, since the hardwood floors will all be replaced,
I figured they could run in the family room. They were
only in family room less than an hour and.....pulled the
cable TV coard out and disconnected my satellite reception,
found a dead mouse in the fireplace in trap (4 of them
stood there on point!) pretty funny....not sure who ended
up with the mouse. Blue girl and green boy LOVE the bird
feathers.
When they go back into their room, they have to go thru
master bedroom....with bad weather, I let them all run in
bedroom while I put them away one-at-a-time. Last night I
walked in the room and they were all lined up on MY bed,
laying down like, "See, we can be good dogs!" Very cute
but couldn't get a photo.
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October 10, 2010 |
Well, the linoleum in the puppy corral lasted exactly
8 weeks. They have eaten their way through 2 layers and
down to the last. The good news is they are outside in
the big lawn area more, so not as interested in the smaller
enclosed area, except to eat. Too many distractions on
the other area - none of them want to eat there.
Puppy stack photos for week 8 going up shortly.
Stacked them in the morning and again in the afternoon....got
fairly good shots between the two, except somehow I missed
blue girl and only have an okay shot - she is much prettier
than the photo.
Will try to get head shots later in the week.
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October 7, 2010 |
A big day today for the puppies. My friend Kim came
over and we accomplished so much.
1st shot given(Intervet Parvo and Distemper only),
cleaned morning box...a large task every morning, then
took headshots of each of them. They had all run
through the waterbowl and had more water on them than
in them-so we got the blowdryer out and they experienced
a brush, comb and blowdryer for the first time. All
of them were pretty good with it. We were outside in
the puppy corral for 2+hours and photos will go up
shortly. Puppies were a little tired by the time we got
to the headshots, so there are some sleeping faces,
but they all did well.
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October 5, 2010 |
Little pistols - that's all I can say. I had Pat Mack help me
in morning getting the pups outside while I cleaned the morning
box....housekeeper was here for 2nd outside feeding, and 3rd
one Sarah supervised the kids, while I cleaned the box and
carried them in and out one at a time. It takes maybe 15-20
seconds to carry one in and then go out for another-maybe
30 max. My camera was on the bench when I left to take dog
#1 inside. When I came out, it was being dragged out of the
puppy corral by three pups. Now in those 15-30 seconds,
they had to grab the camera, take it off the bench, carry it to
the bone shaped opening about 8 feet away, carry it up the
ramp, and it was inside heading out when I made it back
outside. Remarkably, the camera is fine! No, I didn't get any
photos of the event! LOL
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October 4, 2010 |
Puppies ate outside - all 8 of them this afternoon.
Red boy, who has been timid, is very comfortable now
outside. There is NOT a single timid dog in the bunch!
Two collars came off and I weighed the two boys
purple and white boy and couldn't tell by weight.
I was 99% sure I had it correct based on heads and
"overall length of body." Purple boy is longer bodied
than white boy - both boys have fabulous heads.....what
to do? Then I remembered that pink girl "tattooed" white
boy with bite marks on his you-know-what. Yep, I had
it right!
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October 3, 2010 |
Toenails trimmed. All weighed in and ranged from 11
pounds to 13.8 pounds. Red boy is now the heaviest with
blue boy in close second. Blue girl in 12 pound area and
everyone else in 11 pound+. Green boy the littlest is closing
the gap and is now only a half pound behind the pack. Suzi
and I tried to visit a little but they are very active in their puppy
corral and loved it. Suzi supervised while I cleaned up the inside
box then we re shot stacks on blue boy and pink girl. They all
slept for 4 hours after their play time and allowed me to bathe
the 6 adult dogs and groom 3 of the 6 adult dogs. We're all
exhausted!
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October 2, 2010 |
Puppy corral outside set-up complete and I'm really
happy with it. Perfect for the pups. They will get
their first Parvo/distemper shot next Thursday. Puppy
corral setup was used today while I cleaned their box.
Red boy is no longer shy outside - he was content to
have a "box" outdoors. Pups are on sensory overload
and not interested in eating outside, but are eating
well inside. Blue girl, white boy and green boy seemed
to enjoy running up and down the bone ramp the most.
Lynda and Greg stopped by in the afternoon and we got
the pups very first STACK photos. They'll be posted
under week 7 but are actually one day shy of 7 weeks.
Pups didn't like being stacked, as it was foreign to
them....will have to start working on that. More company
tomorrow and more photos.
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October 1, 2010 |
Set up the "puppy corral" set up for outside.
Once pups get their first shot, they will be spending
a lot more time in the puppy corral setup. A friend
gave me a puppy corral he had designed for his sister
who no longer needed it - I love it! It is adorable
with bone shaped opening (see photos of setup) week 6.
Put linoleum flooring in the corral and disinfected
entire area. Purchased shade cloths. Will finish set
up tomorrow.
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September 30, 2010 |
Well Blue girl loves her freedom. Twice this morning,
out of the box running up and down the hall - Wahoo!
Yippee! And I was in the box cleaning it! Fencing going up
today around the pen!
I had a root canal done today. Thank god Lynda came
over in the afternoon to help with pups. The meds knocked
me out. Poor pups and my adult dogs didn't get much
activity all day today.
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September 29, 2010 |
Too hot outside again to put pups out - put them in
foyer 2 at a time with me for a few minutes to run and
play. Blue girl, pinkie and blue boy were interested
in everything and carried a leash around in their mouths.
Everyone except red boy is comfortable out of the box
which is really interesting because he is one of the
more dominant in the box.
I put blue girl and pink girl back in the box and
went to the kitchen to make their 11AM feeding mixture.
Mind you the top board-about 7-8 inches tall was not on the
box - just the other 17-18 inches was in place. As I
carried the food down the hallway, blue girl runs out
of my bedroom saying, "okay, lets eat". Somehow she
managed to get out of the box, so from now on, all
three boards have to be in place.
They are learning puppies come.....cookies pretty quickly!
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September 26, 2010 |
Well it's week 6. Today the puppies got their nails trimmed,
their second worming and a weigh in. The pups range between
just under 9 pounds and a just under 12 pounds.
All are eating well and more and more solid food being added.
Visitors this weekend were Chuck on Saturday-(while I went
to Santa Ana KC with the puppies grandma Kelly to finish her
Rally Excellent title), Cathy and Dave and Weneta with the kids.
It was WAY too hot here-about 106-so nothing outdoors. I
improvised and cleared out the foyer(hardwood floors) and about
3 times the size of whelping box. Weneta and the kids were here
first and entertained the pups while I totally cleaned the whelping
box in the bedroom. Weneta was very busy with PPP (poop and
pee patrol). The kids held and cuddled the pups. Cathy and Dave
stopped by and Cathy and I did toenails while Dave entertained
Maggie and Sarah who were feeling neglected in the process.
Never got around to stacking pups.....hopefully starting this
week.
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September 24, 2010 |
The puppies are playing really hard. The boys are
all pretty much afraid of the girls except for the
little green boy who is FEARLESS and chases after
pink girl when she is biting everybody.
White boy has always been a pretty gentle soul and
the first to run to the edge of the box when I walk in
the room. But always patient. He was staying clear of
pink girl and I wasn't sure why...I picked him up and
inspected him and he had teeth marks and broken skin on
his pee pee. Poor little guy. Pink girl should be named
TROUBLE I do believe! She is a fiesty little thing. Momma
Sarah licked him and looked at me like "what am I going to
do with pink girl".
More cookies needed to clean box....pheasant toy a big
hit! Trying to get pink girl to play with that and leave
the boys alone.
Am glad I'll have backup help this weekend with some
visitors to tire these pups out a little bit.
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September 22, 2010 |
Needed distractions to clean the box....introduced small
pieces of dog biscuits! It was a hit. They were all quiet
and thrilled to chew on something other than my pants or toes!
Increased food consumption a little. Activity on weekend
was a little too much for them and not the weight gains I'd
like to see. Just reweighed everyone tonight. Smallest is just
under 8 pounds and largest at 11. There has been 2 pound
differential all along-now it's three. Green boy loved the
cookies so will sneak him little pieces here and there. As
suspected the girls are all food motivated and were stealing
the boys cookies. Red boy who has been somewhat laid back
and I think ended up with the most pieces hiding them under
him! Pretty smart!
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September 21, 2010 |
Puppies went outside on patio today. I turned off
the pool pump and it made a big difference - no noise
so they were okay with it. They ate and Pat M. watched
them while I was able to clean the box. Mom Sarah managed
to check on the kids without getting malled too much
for milk. She loves looking into the box and licking them
without being attacked. The weaning process is progressing
nicely.
Everyone was pretty comfortable outside today except for
red boy. Red boy is one of the more dominant males in the
box - but does not like being outdoors yet. But he was better.
As always - whether happy or unhappy he was grunting/talking.
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September 20, 2010 |
Have had shallow water bowl in box on and off for past week
or two - mostly they have sat in it....peed in it and slept in
it! Drinking was purely accidental. Today was the first day - I
put in the bowl and they all ran over to it as if it was milk.
They weren't excited about the water - but they did all drink
it.
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September 19, 2010 |
Weneta, Peter, Kasia and Stefan came over (Daniel's owner)
and we took lots of photos and did the official 5 week weigh
in. Green boy is still smallest at just under 7 (6.88) pounds,
red at 8 pounds, blue at 9 pounds and everyone else in low to
mid 7's. The kids were here for hours and the puppies got their
socializiation fix.
We managed to also get a little time in with the older dogs.
I managed to still bathe all the adult dogs, groom three and
partially groom the other three. I'm exhausted!
Took lots of photos - will download later!
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September 18, 2010 |
The puppies had a VERY busy schedule today. Toenails
trimmed, whelping box repairs, vacuuming in the room,
visitors and a trip outside.
The whelping box end panel was designed in three pieces
for ease of letting me and the mom in and out as the pups
grew. After 5 litters, we needed a few repairs. Chuck did
the repairs for me and the pups were afraid of the sound
of the drill except for blue girl. Then I vacuumed and
this strange sound was certainly terrifying to the pups.
Disinfected the small back patio area - thought it would
be a good time to let the pups out for a short time and eat
outside - so I could clean the box....NOPE -they all hated
the change except for green boy and yellow girl who boldly
went where the others refused. Several of the pups didn't
want to nurse or eat outside - so we moved everything back
into the whelping box, they ate and fell asleep.
Suzy and Tom visited and all the pups had their collars
removed washed and replaced. We all held each one and
intentionally played with the paws so they get used to
nails a LOT easier as they get older.
Big nap after Suzi & Tom left until Dave and Cathy
stopped by. We tried to get photos with all 8 pups in it -
but we'll see....they were pretty active. They ate their
full pitcher of food, played with us and then fell asleep.
The pups particularly liked Cathy's toes and one of the
pups peed on her - Thank god she was just going to an ISCSC
function this evening. The pups all remember Cathy from their
first few days of life and momma Sarah was also very
comfortable with all the visitors today.
Took lots of photos - will download later!
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September 16, 2010 |
Puppies are weighing in at just under 6 pounds for green
and purple boys with everyone else in the mid 6 pound range
except for blue boy at 7.78 pounds!
I have had to get creative cleaning the box, as three of
them have tried to climb out....I need a flap on the top
panel....in the past hasn't been an issue but with 8 they
are ganging up on me. Am using a gate to restrict them to one
side while I clean the other. I really need to get a photo as
they all have sad faces like they are in jail!
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September 12, 2010 |
Wormed Sarah and the pups, today.
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September 11, 2010 |
Daniel's family came to see the pups today. Kasia,
Stefan and Weneta helped me feed the pups and clean-up
duty afterwards. Momma Sarah was very accepting and
accomodating. I wasn't sure how she'd be since there
aren't any kids in the house. The kids had a great
time playing with and holding the pups. They helped
me wash the adult dogs and gave some needed play time
to Patrick, Sydney and Kelly in the back!
They arrived around 2PM I think and at 7:30 PM as the
pups are sound asleep after their big adventure, Stefan
advised us that he wanted to be there when they woke up.
I explained that they wouldn't wake up to be fed
until around 11PM....he said okay.
I believe that the children will be helping me every
weekend with entertaining and socializing the puppies.
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September 10, 2010 |
Room expansion....pigrails taken out! Puppies weigh
from 3.97 to 5.5 pounds. Everyone doing well.
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September 8, 2010 |
In the box with pups cleaning them up, thought I'd give
Sarah a break after her nursing and cereal....apparently Sarah's
nose was bent out of shape and she crawled back into the
whelping box and pretty much kicked me out reminding me that
they were hers not mine....she laid down nursed a little more then
cleaned everybody up. I guess I didn't do it the way she liked.
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September 7, 2010 |
Blue boy is 4.5 pounds and blue girl is now 4 pounds.
Green boy and yellow girl have passed the 3 pound mark and
are catching up. Green boy REALLY likes the supplemental
milk and went from 2.58 to 3.17 in one day! Introduced TINY
amount of finely ground kibble into supplement....pinkie, blue
girl and green boy dove into it! Literally.
I cleaned everyone up - and they went back for more and
got cleaned up a second time.
The pups at three weeks and one day are developing their
happy dances as they finish pooping. Red boy and pinkie are
pretty funny!
Teething has begun - today was first day that sitting in the
box they were all trying to chew on me. Will try a tip Suzi gave
me on weekend.....will report on that tomorrow.
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September 6, 2010 |
Labor Day! Visitors came today and the puppies got lots
and lots of cuddling and talking to. Suzi stopped by midmorning
helped with puppy photos and after breakfast clean-up. Watching
them eat is a treat although I have to say that they are now (9/8/10)
eating more and wearing less. Cathy and Dave stopped by at lunch
and we had the typical Labor Day BBQ-although very casual and
laid back. Cathy had not seen the pups since day 3! They had
grown so much. The pups love to fall asleep on my lap and I feel
guilty when I can't get in there enough to have them crawl over me
and fall asleep. These pups are very well socialized and some even
run to me before Sarah to eat.
Mega thanks to Steve Chan for the "Puppy Corral." It looks
like a little corral and I've put new hinges on it and painted "puppy
corral" on it. Need to put linoleum on floor but eventually when
pups can go outside after their first shot (not until week 8) - they
will be spending a lot of time in the puppy corral. New red covered
easy up and fencing going from back bedroom door to corral for
corralling the little wranglers into the outdoors.
It took Dave, Cathy, Chuck and I all lifting and moving this
into the desired area - not an easy task. Cathy said it will make a
PERFECT Xmas card (she is right) this year and we will decorate
in late October to take photos before puppies leave here to their
homes. Thank you Davo for figuring out how to do this!
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September 5, 2010 |
Chuck held while I trimmed nails today. Getting easier where I can
see the nails. Puppies ate cereal ...all doing well. Net used for weighing too small
and will use a leather bag that will work for future weigh ins. All pups are over 3
pounds except two - green boy and yellow girl but they are just under 3 pounds
and catching up. Blue Boy is almost 4 pounds!
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September 4, 2010 |
Puppy teeth coming in….breaking surface of mouth. Ah - that’s
why Sarah’s feedings are shorter! LOL
Visitor’s today (shoes off at the door, bleach and water bottle for shoes
at door and all hands sanitized before holding puppies…..puppies did well with
visitors Sharon and Ted. Sarah too.
Patrick has informed us that Maggie is prime for breeding. He was screaming
most of the night and was put into family room where he was still not good!
Unfortunately, showing him puppies and telling him that he would have to
support his adventures…doesn’t work with dogs. Maggie is willing
which makes it worse. She is flagging and receptive.
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September 3, 2010 |
Cereal added to Esbilac and Goat’s milk and water. Photos taken. Smaller
pups like just the goat’s milk - larger ones getting bigger and want the cereal.
Every supplemental feeding is giving Sarah a break and starting weaning process.
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September 2, 2010 |
I actually had to go to an all day meeting today and did it on 3 hours
of sleep. Friend Lynda came by and watched the puppies - in spite of all
the issues she was having with her own dogs. More great photos and I think
the pups helped put a smile on her face after a long day the day before when
her father-in-law left raisins on the counter and three dogs had raisin toxicity -
Two to the vet and kept for 2 days. Both made it through thanks to Lynda’s
quick thinking and giving them hydrogen peroxide and water within first 30
minutes of ingestion and rushing to the vet. Great photo of Sarah looking
into the mirror was taken by Lynda. Lynda’s Maggie, Rachel and Jack doing fine!
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September 1, 2010 |
Introduced milk replacer to try to give Sarah a break. Blue girl was
the first to accept it and after one did it - they all seemed to know what to do…I
need a bigger bowl. They didn’t like the Esbilac alone or the puppy gold….Goat’s
milk did the trick!
Puppies KNOW where the pee pad is and walk to it….They sometimes miss -
but are always close. These pups are much faster in the potty training department
than any other litter!
Usually as soon as the cereal is introduced….momma no longer cleans them.
Sarah is still doing motherly cleanup activities and is by far the best MOM of all
my litters….don’t tell Kelly or Roxy.
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August 29, 2010 |
Visitors today…..Suzi & Tom stopped by. Suzi brought new yarn as
the ric rac kept falling off the pups. Sarah was fine with visitors but was curious
and checking to make sure they weren’t leaving with any!
Oh joy! Sarah having the puppies has brought Maggie into season 4 months
EARLY!!!!!!!! I was going to breed Maggie on her next season as she is 5 years
old. NOT this time. So far is not acting like a true season….maybe it will pass.
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August 29, 2010 |
Blue girl decided it was time to see the world. I think most of them can hear
things today. If I walk in and talk to anyone - they wake right up.
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August 27 - 28, 2010 |
All eyes opened except for blue girl who squints and closes them…..not
ready yet - but good eater and happy to eat whenever.
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August 20, 2010 |
My good friend Lynda came over to let me get some sleep. She took
care of pups while I grabbed a few hours of rest. She got some cute photos.
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August 19, 2010 |
Pups are getting weighed daily and extra feedings with Sarah for those
that need it. First trimming of nails today. Only problem is my eyes
are not as good as they used to be to see these little nails. All went fine. Found
Natural Tummy Soother for colicky babies - works well for pups…..they are
all sleeping.
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August 18, 2010 |
Dew claws removed. My past experiences with dewclaw removals
at vet offices has been horrible. Screaming puppies, transporting pups in car to
vet trying to keep them warm, fed, etc….AND the huge risk of exposing them
at vet office to parvo, distemper, you-name-it! Donna said she could do the dew
claws. I told her I wasn’t sure I could help. After listening to the trauma
on past vet experiences and crying puppies the whole way home, I figured doing
at home with another breeder was maybe a better option. I will NEVER have dew
claws ever removed at a vet office again. Donna did all 8 in about 30 minutes. I
held them. There was one or two little cries and them we put them on momma to
nurse and they were content. It was WONDERFUL.
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August 16 - 18, 2010 |
Good friends….am grateful to have great friends. Donna until late morning
to make sure all was well. Cathy Michels arrived and stayed for next two days
to help with the 24 hour, round-the-clock care. Chuck took care of all the other
dogs who KNEW something was going on as mom had disappeared and looked
very tired. The first 72 hours are critical and typically if you are going to lose pups
that’s when it occurs. There were two smaller pups - but everybody looked
really good and Sarah was excellent mom. Donna kept checking in as did other
friends. Cathy, Chuck and I held down the fort so to speak. You know they are
good friends when they are willing to sit in a room that is 88-90 degrees for three
days! Father “Daniel” was no where to be seen…..I’m
assuming passing out cigars or dog biscuits to friends. LOL
Blue boy is like a heat seeking missile-you can put him at other end of whelping
box and without hearing, sight or smell can b-line it to momma. Amazing!
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August 16, 2010 |
Good friends….am grateful to have great friends. Donna until late morning
to make sure all was well. Cathy Michels arrived and stayed for next two days to
help with the 24 hour, round-the-clock care. Chuck took care of all the other
dogs who KNEW something was going on as mom had disappeared and looked
very tired. The first 72 hours are critical and typically if you are
going to lose pups that’s when it occurs. There were two smaller pups - but
everybody looked really good and Sarah was excellent mom. Donna kept
checking in as did other friends. Cathy, Chuck and I held down the fort so to speak.
You know they are good friends when they are willing to sit in a room that is 88 - 90
degrees for three days! Father “Daniel” was no where to be seen…..I’m
assuming passing out cigars or dog biscuits to friends. LOL
Blue boy is like a heat seeking missile-you can put him at other end of
whelping box and without hearing, sight or smell can b-line it to momma. Amazing!
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August 16, 2010 |
Puppies are here! Mom and babies doing fine. Five boys and 3 girls.
Donna and I were busy. Sarah’s water broke at 1:50 ish (AM) and first puppy
arrived at 1:55. We made it from my bedroom to the whelping room floor.
Donna arrived to help as the third puppy was being born. All 8 puppies were born
in 5.5 hours. Sarah does everything fast.
Donna said she never saw pups that were so strong running and screaming
to get out. None of my other litters had puppies this vocal and moving so much
at birth. They take after their mother!
I had Sarah on homeopathic meds prior to labor and I think it was a pretty
easy labor because of them. She had one grunt on the first pup and that was it.
Will use the homeopathics on all future litters.
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