Puppy Stuff (5/5/21)

Puppy News… Pups are learning to walk!

Vee’s puppies are 6 days old; Deja’s are 12 days old… There just seems there would be a bigger difference in weights? Vee’s puppies are not filled out though they are getting to be hefty puppies. Deja’s pups are like potatoes! Solid. I suspect a few will hit the two-pounder tomorrow (Greey boy, Pink and Yellow girl). The weight difference is interesting…

Blue BoyGreen BoyOrange BoyPurple GirlRed GirlPink GirlYellow Girl
1 lb 9.4 oz1 lb 14.6 oz1 lb 7.8 oz1 lb 10.0 oz1 lb 11.0 oz1 lb 14.2 oz1 lb 15.4 oz
Deja’s puppies: 12 days old
Blue BoyGreen BoyOrange BoyPurple BoyPink GirlRed Girl
1 lb 12.0 oz1 lb 5.6 oz1 lb 6.6 oz1 lb 2.6 oz1 lb 2.2 oz1 lb 6.2 oz
Vee’s puppies: 5 days old

Vee’s Blue Pawprint boy is a moose! He’s definitely an outlier! And Deja’s Orange Boy is not far behind his siblings now; he and Blue Boy (Deja’s) are about the same weight.

For some odd reason, both mom’s have decided to dig? I’ve removed the fleece pads because pups were crawling under them and getting “lost” so maybe, mom’s miss the cushioning? I’ve added extra coverings (the waterproof washable pads) but they are just digging them up making “mountains” for pups to crawl up and over to reach mom’s. I’ve spent much of today “fixing” them while mom’s are laughing at me, I know!

Pups moved to heating pad in case squeaking means they are chilled? Slams in the background… other dogs using the doggy door going in and out. THOSE dogs are quite impressed with themselves digging at my lilac bush! They’ve enjoyed our recent rainy weather and soft ground perfect for digging!

5/6/21: I was SO TIRED last night that I decided finish this today. I did manage to figure out how to make a “table” for the weights above! Keeping an eye on pups and keeping everyone updated plus working on “next steps”… something had to give… I fell asleep and forgot to put my phone in the charger. Oops!

Vee has a small lump along her mammary chain in between two nipples. Caught early (because I’m checking mom’s as much as checking pups), we started alternating warm and cold compresses three to four times/day. Lump/mass got a bit smaller but still there? I made sure pups were draining the nipple above and below the mass to keep those ducts flowing/emptying. Started Vee on antibiotics (Deja and Vee are receiving probiotics as well as the puppies; already giving pups probiotics every other day). I have visions of a major erupting mastitis that would require surgical repair… That would be my nightmare! Well… It seems milk has leaked out of the mammary chain into the Sub-Q tissue that resulted in this mass? Compressed and we were able to get that milk mass out through the skin in between those two nipples! There is a pin prick size hole that closes up immediately after expressing. There’s not a lot that bothers me but this did. Mass is definitely milk although maybe not quite as white as Vee’s milk from her nipples. Mass substantially smaller now although we are continuing the warm/cold compresses. It doesn’t seem to bother Vee; she’s not in any pain but… Just not “normal”! It can’t stay because leaving a pocket of “old milk” would not be good! I plan on keeping Vee on antibiotics a few more days and… probiotics continued for all. Might this reabsorb on its own? Maybe? But better to be aware and on top of things before it becomes a bigger problem/infection.

Vee “smiling”. She is taking her mother role very seriously; she’s being a very good mommy!

In puppy news… I’m going through my wait list and talking to folks to see if they are “still waiting”. I have several wonderful families that I would like to promise them a puppy; I’m going to run out of puppies before I run out of great homes. I’m truly sorry for the families who won’t be getting a puppy from these litters. For the most part, I’m still working on folks who’ve been waiting since mid 2020.

This gave me a fright when I was “counting puppies”. Green Pawprint boy “hanging out” under the pig rail!

For the families that I have contacted, I’m in the process of nailing down “puppy party” dates and “going home” weekends. Pups stay with me until they are 8-weeks-old; fortunately this corresponds to upcoming weekends which is always nice to have to get used to pups schedules and for pups to get used to new surroundings. I will send each puppy home with a small bag of food we’ve weaned pups onto so that won’t be a change for puppy. Fortunately, my pups go home pretty close to being house-broken and knowing how to use a doggy-door. It will be up to each family to keep close eyes on puppy and learn his/her signals he/she needs to go potty. Expect “accidents” but strive for reading signals and pups doing the “right thing” will go a long way in “house-breaking” pups. Today, I’m making those vet appointments for each litter for pups to get their first vaccinations and vet checks. I want boys to have their “family jewels” descended although these can still go “up and down” even at 8-weeks of age.

Pups are obviously NOT cold; good! But… No room for mom! I rearranged pups so mom had a place to lie down with them.

Several of Deja’s puppies have their eyes open now. Tiny little slits as they now start using visual skills and not just scent to “find mom”. In both litters, pups are getting up on all fours. After eyes, ears open next and “squeaks” turn into “barks” as they start to hear themselves for the first time. Many know I have an African Grey parrot (expert mimic ability!) Picasso, my Grey, already mimics my little dog’s barking only it sounds “distant” and muffled which is how s/he hears it. I fully expect to be hearing puppy barks “in stereo” soon, LOL!

Vee’s puppies: puppy pile!

Once pups are walking well with eyes and ears open, we will remove the whelping boxes and start more interactive toys for pups to explore. Mom’s will still be nursing; solid food introduced week three or so. Teeth should start erupting by then too.

Back to puppies… Look for an email from me with more specific information soon. I’m really looking forward to meeting and talking to folks in person at the puppy parties!

Almost Three Weeks Old…

I could sit with puppies all day!

Time seems to be flying by! It’s true… I can’t get anything done! I just want to sit with puppies and love on each and every one of them!!!

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They’ve found the toys!

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Big YAWN! (Purple Girl)

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Black Boy

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They now play with each other too!

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Up and walking albeit a bit shaky still but… they are all up!

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SWEET face! This puppy has a special place in my heart. He started off a bit smaller than his littermates but now… He is catching up quickly! 

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Pink Girl

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Puppy Pile

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Exploring their world with their mouths… Even if it is on each other!

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It didn’t take them long to figure out how to EAT (chew/lick). LOVE my starter food! 

Two and a Half Weeks Old

With their eyes open now, pups begin to explore their environment

Pups seem to grow overnight! They are beginning to notice each other and want to play together. All are walking better even if they still tend to tumble now and again. Deja continues to be a good mommy keeping close tabs on the pups although is now spending some time away from them, but never too very far away.

Looking forward to meeting everyone soon at the “puppy party”! No worries if you can’t make it, we will set another date so that everyone has the chance to play with the puppies!

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Definitely a “milk coma” here! Those are some full bellies! 

 

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Green Boy: Our First Escapee! (Panel has now been added to keep pups from falling out of the box and getting lost!)

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Aww… LOVE this shot (and this is how I found them!) So Sweet!

I love how the pups are noticing each other and beginning to “play” with each other. This is the beginning of great socialization between littermates that everyone will need to continue when puppy goes home.

 

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Puppy is thinking… When you leave this box, Mom, I’m coming with you! 

Puppy Update: Two Weeks Old

Puppies are all 2+ pounds except little orange girl (and she isn’t far behind!)

Puppies celebrated their “two week old birthday” on Monday (yesterday). Now THAT week went by in a blur!! To keep everyone updated on their development… Pups eyes are now opened/opening. They start off as little slits but you can see them blinking! At this time, their ears also start to open. The little sqeaks now turn to little barks (and then they whip around wondering where that noise came from, LOL!)

Pups have been dewormed as part of their health protocol and based on their individual weights. And their tiny little nails clipped:

  • Blue (M): 2 lbs 3.0 oz
  • Black (M): 2 lbs 4.6 oz
  • Purple (M): 2 lbs 0.4 oz
  • Green (M): 2 lbs 2.0 oz
  • Hot Pink (F): 2 lbs 5.0 oz
  • Lime Green (F): 2 lbs 2.0 oz
  • Red (F): 2 lbs 1.2 oz
  • Yellow (F): 2 lbs 1.0 oz
  • Orange (F): 1 lb 13.2 oz (although she was 1 lb 15.0 oz today)

 

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144 Little Nails Clipped

 

All pups are working on coordinating their front and rear leg movements.

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Deja and her babies

 

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I Could Just Sit And Watch Puppies All Day!

Milestones for puppies: walking and eyes/ears beginning to open up.

Yep, I could sit and watch puppies all day! I think that is pretty much what I’ve done so far today too! Just passing on some photos (and vids) taken today and yesterday.

Important things going on now:

  • Puppies eyes are “flickering”; they will be open soon (and then they will follow Deja right out of the box! Puppy area will be changed then.
  • Puppies ears are beginning to open. Puppies are crying and barking and then… they don’t know where that noise came from?! It is absolutely hysterical! I come running wondering who is making all that noise only to see a pup just making noise for no reason!
  • Walking: HUGE MILESTONE and something I am very sensitive too! I want to see all pups using their legs/building muscle strength to push off their legs as they learn to walk. They all are… YEAH!

 

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A different perspective! Pups definitely NOT cold (all spread out)! And yes, that is “Beauty and the Beast” blanket I’ve had (and used) for years with puppies, LOL! Recycle & Reuse!!

 

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Deja’s keeping an eye on her puppies but hey, a girl needs her beauty sleep too! (This area will change in a few weeks once pups are up and walking.)

 

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Just because! Sweet, sweet puppy!

 

Puppy Learning to walk (Lime Green girl)

 

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I’m pretty sure I’ve posted a photo of pups in this dog bed before that I’ve used while I change the bedding. Now, they hardly fit anymore!

 

Golden puppy (Black boy) walking and hearing his own “voice”. I think he is looking for where his noise is coming from? I would bet his ears are opening!