PHOEBE X DIESEL PUPS - THREE WEEKS!

We have done some minor pen changes to include a potty box in the Pup Room.  I actually watched Orange Boy take a poop in it!  :+)

The pups are just beginning to 'get up' on their legs and wobble about.  In another week they will be much more steady.  Most of their eyes are losing the 'blue eyed cast' that pups have when really young.  I would expect Orange boy to end up with hazel eyes as that is typical of most Caramels.  All the other colors will have brown eyes as they mature.

Towards the end of this week, I will begin to introduce a gruel to see if the pups are interested.  It takes a while for them to get the hang of 'slurping' a milk mix but they eventually get it.  Then I can take some of the 'feeding pressure' off of Phoebe.  She eats very well but feeding eight pups is draining!  The fatter the pups get, the skinnier Phoebe gets.  Ahhhh...if only that were true for humans, right?? :+)

Miss Ruby is such an itty bitty but that does not stop her from getting what she needs.

Miss Lilac looks like she owns this vehicle!

Green Boy barely fit in this prop.  A chunk!

Miss Black Girl just relaxed.

Mr Orange Male is hanging on for dear life!

Mr. Brown Male was looking straight at me in this shot.

Miss Teal Girl just wanted out. She has things to do, I think!

Mr. Blue Male.  'Here's looking at you, kid!'

As you can see, the pen is now along the back wall.  The left side has a gate and it is open at this time.  The plexiglass separator is on top of the back of the potty box to prevent the pups from climbing over. Phoebe has no problem jumping over it when necessary. All the pups are nestled on the right side of the pen. They no longer need the bumper pads or the heat pad that was under the bedding.

An arial view of the pups and stuffies.

WHOOPIE!!!

Miss Bellamy's mating to Duckie was a success!  Her ultra sound today shows at least five puppies. She was so cooperative at the vets and just laid there on the U/S mat with her front legs crossed.  Very sweet and laid very still.

Her guardian told me that she seemed to have 'dry heaves' and was a little less energetic and I said 'I bet we have puppies' and we do.  It certainly made the crazy day we were there to determine a breeding date worth the scurrying around and traveling back and forth before that nasty snowstorm hit the next day!   :+)

Just because....

 It is so darn cute!

Talk about over, under and in between!  Phoebe just sits there looking at me like...'how much longer
do I need to do this?'  Sorry Phoebe, at least for another 3 weeks or so.  

Yes, the pee pads are being used very well!  :+)

A change up!

It is incredible how newborn pups grow and become more mobile.  As the pic says, a couple were able to get out of the original bed they were in, so their 'room' had to be re-arranged.  The bed is now out of their area and momma has full use of it when not with pups.  

The pups immediately settled in with the new arrangements.  :+)

WEEK TWO - PHOEBE X DIESEL LITTER

Had a busy but enjoyable Friday with a welcomed visit from our daughter and grandson.  Then my son invited me to dinner and a movie so pics are being posted today.   Fun time. :+)

Phoebe's babies continue to do well - gaining and growing but not otherwise doing much.  In another week, they will become more animated and look like puppies rather than blobs!  They do seem to be enjoying the Pup Room and it won't be long before I change up their space.

Phoebe is still eating very well but getting thinner due to the enormous demands feeding eight plump puppies requires.  She is an excellent provider. :+)

This black/white parti girl continues to be the largest in the litter.

Orange Collar Male is not far behind his sister.  I believe he will be a Caramel with green eyes and liver points on his nose and footpads.

Ruby Collar keeps up with her siblings and is a whole pound!!

Blue Collar Male IS a black puppy - sorry I made the collar collar confusing.  I should have called him Black Collar Male.  Oh well.

Yes, Lilac Collar Female is chocolate but I expect she will lighten as she matures.

This guy will be an apricot with black pigment.  His 'points' are beginning to darken already.

So is Teal Girl.  Black nose and footpads on her as well.

Bookends!  Both partis are nearly identical in weight and markings!

First nail clipping!

The 'first' of many, many more.  As I was doing their early neurological stimulation exercises this morning, I realized that those nails were really picky!  Poor Phoebe having to endure those tiny needles kneading her teats for milk.  :+(. None the worse for the wear - all were quite tolerant of the mild procedure.  It will be a weekly thing moving forward!

Pic because I finally got one that you can actually see ALL of them!  Miss Ruby has her head on Miss Lilac.  Too cute!

All fed, exercised, warm and content.

We have moved! (Phoebe x Diesel)

This morning as I was doing their exercises, I noticed two pups beginning to open their peepers - Brown Collar Male and would you believe both peepers open on little Miss Ruby! Hmmmmm... I thought, should I move them today?

I had to do some errands and when I got back, made the decision to prepare the Pup Room.  They are now settled in.  It is nice to have a bit more room and some sunshine!  The pups will continue to adjust to the light and the rest of the group will open their eyes on their schedule.

A snapshot of their permanent quarters.  As they grow, the pen will be adjusted to accommodate their needs.  Eventually, the 'dog bed' will be removed and they will have a bigger space to move about.

COMMENTS

If anyone reading this AnnaBlog wishes to comment, feel free to do so but I humbly ask you put your name at the end of your comment so I know who it is.  Okay??  Thanks.  We finally got the darn thing working again!  :+)

Anyone for a snuggle??

Pups are notorious for wanting to stay close and in touch with one another.  Today, I saw three groups somewhat separated but still snuggling!

PHOEBE & DIESEL LITTER - ONE WEEK YESTERDAY!

At one week old yesterday, this litter has begun Early Neurological Stimulation exercises, have had two car rides (one more to go to curb nausea) and have gained numerous ounces of weight from the loving care of their mommy, Phoebe.  

You might be thinking about those 'car rides' - well, I read an article years ago, that if you provide three car rides to a puppy BEFORE they are ten days old, you can greatly reduce the possibility of dogs being nauseous in the car.  I have done this to all my litters over the years and have had only one report of car sickness! Those are darn good odds!  :+). As they age, we go for more vet exams and a temperament test so my pups have several car rides before ever going home with you.

Although I did put up some pics previously, I like to keep to a schedule, so I did not think you would mind pics of them at a full one week of age (well technically, tonight between 11 and 1:30 ish) :+)

At one full week, Blue Boy weighs 1 lb. 3 ozs.

Lilac Girl weighs 14 3/4 ozs. I think she is drinking Phoebe's  'skim milk'! Ha!

Brown Male Parti weighs 1 lb. 4 ozs.

Green Boy is 1 lb., 2 ozs.

Ruby Girl has really well from her birthweight and is now 9 1/2 ounces!

Teal Girl is 1 lb., 2 ozs.

Black Girl weighs the most at 1 lb., 6 ozs.

Orange Boy is 1 lb., 4 ozs.

All comments and pics will be posted weekly on this AnnaBlog as this litter grows.  Check often! :+). By the way, I think we finally got the 'Comments' working!  Feel free to make a comment and please sign your name after typing otherwise it will be 'anonymous'.

SURPRISE!!!!!

I know everyone is salivating to see individual pics of the pups, sooooo.........does this take the edge off????  :+). They are really beautiful!!

Two of these pups are available for homes at this time!  Please read my website for details on our program before applying.  Thank you! :+)

Brown Collar Male - Full Chocolate and White Parti pattern.

Lilac Collar Girl - Solid chocolate.

Blue Collar Male - Solid Black with a touch of white under his chin.

Green Collar Male - Solid cream.

Ruby Collar Girl - An Extreme Parti - mostly cream with some apricot markings.

Black Collar Girl - Full Black & White Parti.

Teal Collar Girl - Apricot but I do see some white feet!

Orange Collar Male - Also an Extreme Parti in white and apricot.

Early Neurological Stimulation.

Early Neurological Stimulation is a series of short, gentle exercises that I do to each pup for 16 days beginning on their third day of life.  It was developed by the military to help improve the ability of a dog to handle stress better as they mature.  Of course, this was based on dogs in military service but is also useful application for any dog. 

I also weigh each pup daily and wasn't I surprised that there are already three 'porkers' in the group! Blue Boy, Orange Boy and Black Girl are ALL (1) pound in weight on Day 4!  Sheesh - Phoebe is producing cream for milk! Typically, the normal gain is that each pup would be a pound at a week of age - guess this group are high achievers.  :+)

Vet visit for mom and pups.

Wow am I happy that my visit to the vets with Phoebe and her babies was yesterday!  We had a great trip and all did well.  Phoebe was examined to make sure she was in good shape after her delivery and the pups were checked for clefts and a general once over.  Then I took Phoebe out for some fresh air while the pups had their dew claws removed.  I have this done so there is no chance of them ripping them off.  Also, lots of groomers forget about dew claws and nip them with clippers.  :+(

I am just going to post a couple of pics.  The ride to and from the vet was uneventful.  Of course, as they get older, it generally gets 'louder' in my car.  :+)

They are gaining daily - even the tiny one who is now over 6 ounces and nurses with her siblings who are all double her weight.  Good job Ruby girl!

All of them had a rectal check for temperatures.

All of them were weighed in this cute bowl scale.

And ALL of them did very well!

Pile up!

 Unfortunately, they would not 'pose' so Mr. Green Collar is under the pile up but nice and warm!  :+)

I am very thankful that my little pipsqueak (extreme right) is doing well and gaining daily.  She has a lot of catching up to do but holds her own with her chunky siblings at the nursing bar!  I also offer her a bottle every now and again and sometimes she takes it but most times she is full and comfortable.  Very happy about her gains and strength.  Feisty little thing.  :+)

Phoebe & Diesel Litter - a couple of pics.

What a wonderful, attentive, and easy whelper Phoebe is.  Not one peep as she pushed her 8 pups into this world.  Her motherly instincts were spot on and she eagerly welcomed each and every pup!

After a few hours of sleep, I was happy to see Phoebe and pups doing well.  Indeed, there are 8 puppies!  Albeit, a tiny female is among the eight.  She seems to have a strong will, so the next few days will tell her story.

• Blue Collar Male - first born and Phoebe really struggled with him.  The largest in the litter at 9 7/8 ounces.  He appears to be solid black.
• Ruby Collar Female - This tiny thing was right behind Blue and was only 4 5/8 ounces!  She has an Extreme Parti pattern of white and creamy apricot.  Mostly looks white with a few spots of light apricot.  Holding her own so far!
• Brown Collar Male - A full Parti of chocolate and white. 9 1/4 ounces.
• Orange Collar Male  - Another Extreme Parti but in white and apricot - 9 1/2 ounces.
• Lilac Collar Female - is solid chocolate and weighs 7 5/8 ounces.
• Green Collar Male is cream and weighs 8 7/8 ounces.
• Teal Collar is a female and a solid apricot.  She might have some white on her but not easy to see yet.  She weighs in at 8 1/2 ounces.
• Black Collar is a female.  She is a black and white full Parti and weighs 9 1/4 ounces.

Please don't hold me to 'gender' status as I am still under a bit of a fog.  As days progress, a correction will be made if necessary.  A couple of pics below.  :+)

Momma & kids all snuggled, warm & happy.

Phoebe is whelping her litter!

 Looks like a long night ahead.  I will update with a litter pic tomorrow when I am functioning.  :+)

Phoebe had her x-ray today!

 My vet said there are eight pups - so a good size litter!  Phoebe is quite large but doing well.  She has settled down here wonderfully.  Looking forward to her delivery day to welcome her babies into this world and soon into their owners homes.  :+)

Bellamy and Duckie were bred today!

 It certainly was a crazy day as I brought Bellamy in to get a second Progesterone test and did not think her numbers would be at the 'ready to breed point' but she had other ideas!  So a call to Duckie's guardian was made and he arrived with tail wagging and left wagging with a bigger smile on his face.  :+). 

Now it is the waiting game. If successful, these will be minis (under 25 lbs.) in mostly chocolate, caramels and apricots.  Be aware all my chocolate pups lighten up to a 'cafe' color.  There could be some Phantom patterned pups - as well as some black.  Quite the assortment!  :+)

BELLAMY WAITED PATIENTLY FOR HER DATE.

                            

 DUCKIE SAID 'HERE I AM'!!!