Happy Birthday Wee Ones! They celebrated the way they celebrate each new day - drink, play, sleep, repeat
They are starting to stay awake longer and play a little harder each day. And, unbelievably become cuter each day. Against all odds, I forecast they'll be even cuter tomorrow ;-)
I've sort of settled on a combination of sleeping in the real bed with the monitor and then sleeping on the ottoben bed for the second 'half' of the night. It would appear that after I've gotten the minimal amount of sleep necessary to stave off exhaustion. I lie there listening to the monitor and worry about it going off so it's more restful to sleep beside the puppies.
We brought the outdoor play stuff up today (and put away the extraneous fish tanks - now that the temperament issue rescue fish have mostly died (the ones that killed hte other fish and therefore had ot be separated), I have managed to be down to 2 tanks (and neither of them has to have a plexiglass divider!). So I've been doing a lot of fish tank cleaning in the recent warmer weather (it was too cold for me to want to fool with the hose for a while there) while puppies sleep on the other side of the glass door.
I'm excited to take the babies out to play but it'll wait for a sunny, warmish afternoon (sun doesn't come over the hillside until mid/late morning) to begin. It looks possible this week though. I'll be sure to document it when it happens.
Dog CIndi is putting pictures from this weekend on the link this evening so you may be able to observe the puppy cuteness there.
LeAnne said the latest weight watchers graph isn't very interesting so I'll report the old fashioned way: Mayor Bumble is the largest at 5.6lbs; Vespula is not too far behind at 5.2; Buzz E. is at 4.6; Little Green Hornet gained a lb and is 3.8; Bizzy and Honey are 4.8 lbs each. Good growing pupsters and good job Bela! With the exception of 1/2 cup (total) formula that they wore more than ate a week ago, that's all from Bela nursing them. Good thing I feed her well, even if she does often insist that I spoon it up for her. She's not picky, she's spoiled. Her other human told her the other day, she was going to be in for a rude awakening when she goes back to her house when she's done with the babies. (I do it as much to keep her from putting the food all over the floor as to cater to her whims.) Today I fed her while she fed the babies - she went in to clean up after them when I had ust gotten her food ready and they all wanted to eat too so I fed her while they ate.
The last couple of days, we've noticed Bela will nurse the puppies while she's holds one of her toys in her mouth. That's so very Bela. She once napped on me for a couple of hours (she was upside down). After we both woke up, I noticed that she still had a piece of rope in her mouth ;-)
Puppies approved of their newest toys today and B no longer bats an eye at the paino toy making noise. They are getting better at grabbing and carrying toys, too. It won't be long before they are stealing Jack's monkey paws.
Bela and Jack both want me to stop typing and the puppies are drawing me in so I'm going to wrap this up earlier tonight. Anything exciting that happens from this point on will have to wait for tomorrow ;-) Puppy breath to all, Nighty, nighty nighty
Monday, March 30, 2015
March 29, 205 Pupdate
The puppies are starting to come over to the 'fence' to ask for attention so we need to start rewarding for sitting. All of my puppies end up leaving iwth a case of the sits (only causes any difficulty in conformation ring but it can be trained NOT to happen there easier than to cure jumping up later. They will try that later anyway and havign a good default sit really helps work through that.
Aunt CIndi came to visit today and we had big fun. She got to wrangle the puppies in the pool while I changed out their linens. B kept vaccillating between helping her (by riling up the puppies) or me (by inspecting what I was trying to do. I was surprised that she was the only big dog helping me most of the time.
When the puppies took a happy nappy after that, we held a weight watcher meeting. I knew they were growing (I worried about ther day of gastrointestinal unpleasantness) because their collars need loosened again. I had the collars fairly loose last weekend because their hair covers them if they are very snug so I couldn't tell day by day if they were still growing and weighing them is a 2 person job according to our shop rules;-)
The puppies continue to be surprisingly cute. I really do not have any idea hwo they keep getting cute but somehow they manage to do it. They seem to like the new toys each day and they definitely like the vtech piano toy. I turned it off at bedtime last night and they were visibly annoyed They kept smacking at it and chewing on it trying to get it to make noise again. Eventually they gave up and went to sleep.
Their first kids visitied today. They got to meet 3 kids under 10, a girl and her two younger brothers. I'd forgotten how much Jill (and SammeiDoodlebug) LOVE kids. Bela and Indy knew the kids from Aunt Debbie's and were happy to see them again. The boys were mostly interested in my talking clock/thermometer and things like that but they did interact with the puppies and big dogs some as well.
We had a photo shoot but it was more active shots than posed. It's hard enough to keep them in the box when they are little, they are more active more often now.
They are making more intentional trips into the potty box and some near misses. Occasionally, one will run over there, through it and potty on either side but they are almost always getting off of the sleepytime fleece blanky.
I think I'm going to get my sleepytime blanky ready, cuddle a few puppies (6 to be precise) and then say nighty, nighty, nighty. Puppy breath to all and to all a good night!
Aunt CIndi came to visit today and we had big fun. She got to wrangle the puppies in the pool while I changed out their linens. B kept vaccillating between helping her (by riling up the puppies) or me (by inspecting what I was trying to do. I was surprised that she was the only big dog helping me most of the time.
When the puppies took a happy nappy after that, we held a weight watcher meeting. I knew they were growing (I worried about ther day of gastrointestinal unpleasantness) because their collars need loosened again. I had the collars fairly loose last weekend because their hair covers them if they are very snug so I couldn't tell day by day if they were still growing and weighing them is a 2 person job according to our shop rules;-)
The puppies continue to be surprisingly cute. I really do not have any idea hwo they keep getting cute but somehow they manage to do it. They seem to like the new toys each day and they definitely like the vtech piano toy. I turned it off at bedtime last night and they were visibly annoyed They kept smacking at it and chewing on it trying to get it to make noise again. Eventually they gave up and went to sleep.
Their first kids visitied today. They got to meet 3 kids under 10, a girl and her two younger brothers. I'd forgotten how much Jill (and SammeiDoodlebug) LOVE kids. Bela and Indy knew the kids from Aunt Debbie's and were happy to see them again. The boys were mostly interested in my talking clock/thermometer and things like that but they did interact with the puppies and big dogs some as well.
We had a photo shoot but it was more active shots than posed. It's hard enough to keep them in the box when they are little, they are more active more often now.
They are making more intentional trips into the potty box and some near misses. Occasionally, one will run over there, through it and potty on either side but they are almost always getting off of the sleepytime fleece blanky.
I think I'm going to get my sleepytime blanky ready, cuddle a few puppies (6 to be precise) and then say nighty, nighty, nighty. Puppy breath to all and to all a good night!
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Visitation Protocol (or what I believe are "Best Practices" for visiting anyone's puppies)
I've been sending this/variations of this to people about puppy visits so I thought it might be useful information for visitors and potential owners (or entertainment for people to laugh at the crazy dog lady)
Puppies are ready for visitors and they especially need to meet children and men. Just not on a day/in clothes you've worn to a shelter/dog park/around a sick dog.
If you want to prepare for 'the rules' or our procedure:
We take off shoes (don't wear white socks because the rubber floor, even when freshly steamed can discolor white socks);
wash hands thoroughly (sing the abc song twice while we rub the soap between our hands vigorously) and
put on a smock (an old men's shirt I keep for such purposes).
Then we come quietly out into the dog room and greet the big dogs (especially the Mama so she doesn't feel like she needs to protect the babies) before we go over to see the puppies.
The puppies are in a play area and we go carefully in and sit down to let puppies come to us or an adult hand them to you. You can make lots of noise with your voice - as long as it doesn't look like it worries the mama dog (probably wait until after you've been here for a little while).
When you are ready to get out, tell us and an adult will help you (don't want to trip over a puppy and hurt you or it). They have some neat toys that you can helpt show them but remember they are BABIES so they are fragile (careful quiet hands and feet but we will want you to make some loud, funny, or silly noises for them eventually.)
You might want to remind them I can't see so they need to use words (I can't hear them shake or nod their head),
Thanks!
Puppies are ready for visitors and they especially need to meet children and men. Just not on a day/in clothes you've worn to a shelter/dog park/around a sick dog.
If you want to prepare for 'the rules' or our procedure:
We take off shoes (don't wear white socks because the rubber floor, even when freshly steamed can discolor white socks);
wash hands thoroughly (sing the abc song twice while we rub the soap between our hands vigorously) and
put on a smock (an old men's shirt I keep for such purposes).
Then we come quietly out into the dog room and greet the big dogs (especially the Mama so she doesn't feel like she needs to protect the babies) before we go over to see the puppies.
The puppies are in a play area and we go carefully in and sit down to let puppies come to us or an adult hand them to you. You can make lots of noise with your voice - as long as it doesn't look like it worries the mama dog (probably wait until after you've been here for a little while).
When you are ready to get out, tell us and an adult will help you (don't want to trip over a puppy and hurt you or it). They have some neat toys that you can helpt show them but remember they are BABIES so they are fragile (careful quiet hands and feet but we will want you to make some loud, funny, or silly noises for them eventually.)
You might want to remind them I can't see so they need to use words (I can't hear them shake or nod their head),
Thanks!
Saturday, March 28, 2015
March 28, 2015 Pupdate
I should've written blog notes throughout the day but I was busy having fun with the babies! So I'll try to remember what happened (I did try to post a video from my phoen but apparently, I have to put it on youtube or google plus for that to work and I didn't stop to take time. Dog Cindi put some on Facebook though.)
I attempted to sleep in my real bed with the monitor on last night (after the 2 am meal service to the MamaDog) but I didn't do much resting. First, I couldn't hear them through my pillow speaker and I didn't want to wake up the MSU to make him look. I finally ascertained that I didn't hear anything because they were sleeping quietly ;-) So from about 3 until 5 something, I sort of slept but also woke up and checked on them. At a little after 5, I woke up and the app/ipadiphone had lost the connection and I had a few moments of panic. I think the alarm for them disconnecting woke me up. The MSU was awake so he checked on them and I eventually went back to sleep after 6. Then I had to get up to serve first breakfast to B at 7 so not a lot of sleep.
The vet came by to drop off some medication in case their icky poop or puking comes back and to give Aunt Bug her legally required rabies vaccine. I also gave her the protocol for the Georgie program because I won't want to have to do that in the event anything happens to one of the old dogs. I'll be focused on making everything as comfortable as possible for whichever dog it is. I had dog Cindi put a copy on her phone today, to and she's going to send a copy to LeAnne (who is my OCD paperwork backup person.) We both got a little teary talking about it so I know I will be a basket case when the time comes (hopefully not for a long time but Jack will be 13 in May, Jill in November and they probably won't live forever - although I am hoping they both make ti to ancient Mariner status at least.) And whiel it's sad to think about that, the Georgie progam is important to us.
The puppies all seem to be fine (they never acted sick) and nobody has hurled since around 3 pm yesterday - not even me ;-) Their poop is much improved as well (it's a little difficult to check puppy poo unless Bela is distracted and I happen to be right there when they go but Dog Cindi helped look today)
I tried something a little different this morning when it was time to change their linens. I rolled them up from one side and put down clean (there wasn't liquid soaked through or I'd have cleaned the rubber underneath). The puppies being true PWDs, came over to help me almost immediately but I did get the new ones down before they got over the hump. They were a little quicker to the other side but I moved thes and snatched, and moved and snatched until I had the dirty piled in the middle. Quickly got the puppies off to the sides and grabbed up the dirty. Putting the fleece in the middle was a little more difficult but I did get it in place if not perfectly neat. It'll be nice when they can go outside and I can take care of it while they play. Weather may be improved enough this week to start having outings.
Today, I put the yellow plastic stool in the pen upside down for them to explore. They climbed all over it and but we flipped it back over to use. They nap under it when it is upright and do a little chewing on it either way.
I also added some new toys, including the piano toy from our first litter. They are really funny with the toys. Mayor Bumble already pickes things up and they've all been trying to rearrange the fleece for me.
We are getting some teeth breaking through but so far, they are back teeth but it won't be too long now especially since they are gumming on everything they come across (siblings, fingers, clothes, toys, etc.)
I put some of the alfalfa pellets in a box lid that I cut access spots into. They were not too amused if I scooped them up and put them in their mid potty, it is a very differnt surface and very unstable so I quite doing that and just let them find their own way. They were very interested in it but a lot of that interest was in chewing on the edge of the box and the contents. And, I remembered to put most of the pellets into and old pillow cover so the surface is more stable to start with (and the mess is slightly more contained.) It's fairly small so I don't expect tons of success but I'll start putting them in when I'm pretty sure they need to potty (several of them are developing their potty dance) and soon, I'll use the bigger one and provide fewer options in the rest of the pen.
I rearranged the totes of dog/puppy stuff on my shelves so I can more easily change out the toys and add in new things. I had that stuff on the top shelf but that requires a step ladder so not currently the best plan.
We didn't do a photo shoot or a weight watcher's meeting. We had good intentions and did take some candid pictures but didn't send the card with CIndi (that reminds me, I should charge the camera tonight) so they aren't on the site yet. We had intentions of doing the weight watchers but waiting for the puppies to sleep, time just got away from us. It's on the agenda for tomorrow.
I wish I knew what upset their little tummies but it's awfully hard to tell in wee ones. I did give them pyrantel (wormer *) but that hasn't made puppies sick before (and at least one of them puked first.) * Even though the Mama has never had worms and neither has her mama (at least in the almost 10 years we've had her), there are likely some encysted in her tissue somewhere and the physical stress of pregnancy/whelping/nursing lets them become active. If the pupipies do have them in their systems, it wouldn't show up on a fecal (it takes longer than they've been alive for parasites to become detectable) so we go ahead an treat all of the dogs in the house to make certain. But mostly, I am thrilled they are feeling better.
Puppies are currently napping as are the big dogs so I think I'll sneak in another nap (I slept for about an hour and a half this evening - I'm a late afternoon/evening napper) although maybe this is pre-sleeping (like pre-eating when one is going somewhere that one isn't certain will have food that meets one's wacko deitary requirements and picky likes/dislikes). Anyway I am going to call if a day. Puppy breath to all and Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
I attempted to sleep in my real bed with the monitor on last night (after the 2 am meal service to the MamaDog) but I didn't do much resting. First, I couldn't hear them through my pillow speaker and I didn't want to wake up the MSU to make him look. I finally ascertained that I didn't hear anything because they were sleeping quietly ;-) So from about 3 until 5 something, I sort of slept but also woke up and checked on them. At a little after 5, I woke up and the app/ipadiphone had lost the connection and I had a few moments of panic. I think the alarm for them disconnecting woke me up. The MSU was awake so he checked on them and I eventually went back to sleep after 6. Then I had to get up to serve first breakfast to B at 7 so not a lot of sleep.
The vet came by to drop off some medication in case their icky poop or puking comes back and to give Aunt Bug her legally required rabies vaccine. I also gave her the protocol for the Georgie program because I won't want to have to do that in the event anything happens to one of the old dogs. I'll be focused on making everything as comfortable as possible for whichever dog it is. I had dog Cindi put a copy on her phone today, to and she's going to send a copy to LeAnne (who is my OCD paperwork backup person.) We both got a little teary talking about it so I know I will be a basket case when the time comes (hopefully not for a long time but Jack will be 13 in May, Jill in November and they probably won't live forever - although I am hoping they both make ti to ancient Mariner status at least.) And whiel it's sad to think about that, the Georgie progam is important to us.
The puppies all seem to be fine (they never acted sick) and nobody has hurled since around 3 pm yesterday - not even me ;-) Their poop is much improved as well (it's a little difficult to check puppy poo unless Bela is distracted and I happen to be right there when they go but Dog Cindi helped look today)
I tried something a little different this morning when it was time to change their linens. I rolled them up from one side and put down clean (there wasn't liquid soaked through or I'd have cleaned the rubber underneath). The puppies being true PWDs, came over to help me almost immediately but I did get the new ones down before they got over the hump. They were a little quicker to the other side but I moved thes and snatched, and moved and snatched until I had the dirty piled in the middle. Quickly got the puppies off to the sides and grabbed up the dirty. Putting the fleece in the middle was a little more difficult but I did get it in place if not perfectly neat. It'll be nice when they can go outside and I can take care of it while they play. Weather may be improved enough this week to start having outings.
Today, I put the yellow plastic stool in the pen upside down for them to explore. They climbed all over it and but we flipped it back over to use. They nap under it when it is upright and do a little chewing on it either way.
I also added some new toys, including the piano toy from our first litter. They are really funny with the toys. Mayor Bumble already pickes things up and they've all been trying to rearrange the fleece for me.
We are getting some teeth breaking through but so far, they are back teeth but it won't be too long now especially since they are gumming on everything they come across (siblings, fingers, clothes, toys, etc.)
I put some of the alfalfa pellets in a box lid that I cut access spots into. They were not too amused if I scooped them up and put them in their mid potty, it is a very differnt surface and very unstable so I quite doing that and just let them find their own way. They were very interested in it but a lot of that interest was in chewing on the edge of the box and the contents. And, I remembered to put most of the pellets into and old pillow cover so the surface is more stable to start with (and the mess is slightly more contained.) It's fairly small so I don't expect tons of success but I'll start putting them in when I'm pretty sure they need to potty (several of them are developing their potty dance) and soon, I'll use the bigger one and provide fewer options in the rest of the pen.
I rearranged the totes of dog/puppy stuff on my shelves so I can more easily change out the toys and add in new things. I had that stuff on the top shelf but that requires a step ladder so not currently the best plan.
We didn't do a photo shoot or a weight watcher's meeting. We had good intentions and did take some candid pictures but didn't send the card with CIndi (that reminds me, I should charge the camera tonight) so they aren't on the site yet. We had intentions of doing the weight watchers but waiting for the puppies to sleep, time just got away from us. It's on the agenda for tomorrow.
I wish I knew what upset their little tummies but it's awfully hard to tell in wee ones. I did give them pyrantel (wormer *) but that hasn't made puppies sick before (and at least one of them puked first.) * Even though the Mama has never had worms and neither has her mama (at least in the almost 10 years we've had her), there are likely some encysted in her tissue somewhere and the physical stress of pregnancy/whelping/nursing lets them become active. If the pupipies do have them in their systems, it wouldn't show up on a fecal (it takes longer than they've been alive for parasites to become detectable) so we go ahead an treat all of the dogs in the house to make certain. But mostly, I am thrilled they are feeling better.
Puppies are currently napping as are the big dogs so I think I'll sneak in another nap (I slept for about an hour and a half this evening - I'm a late afternoon/evening napper) although maybe this is pre-sleeping (like pre-eating when one is going somewhere that one isn't certain will have food that meets one's wacko deitary requirements and picky likes/dislikes). Anyway I am going to call if a day. Puppy breath to all and Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
Friday, March 27, 2015
March 27,2015 Pupdate
So I noticed this morning that the puppies DO play before sunrise but they tend to do it quietly which is very considerate of them, IMO. I went back to sleep for a few minutes after making that discovery, thank goodness.
Puppies' fecal is negative for coccidia which is good but they still don't have great poop. And we've had a few more incidents of vomiting but I THINK they are all different puppies. I KNOW they are all eating so I'm trying not to worry overmuch. It's just very disconcerting to all of a sudden find some cottage cheesy stuff on the fleece - and all over puppies. I've given them sponge baths but I think they are getting better baths tomorrow when Dog CIndi will be here to help cuddle wet puppies in a warm towel.
This morning, I put them in the pool so I could change their linens and clean their pen. They woke up on the way and Bela came over to 'help.' The problem was, she was looking over into the pool at them and they were climbing over the edge. I had to keep getting puppies and putting them back into the pool. When I finally got her to move away, they quit going over the side.
They've done very well with going off the fleece bedding area to potty. I'm not certain they are 100% successfulcompliant with peeing but they have been with pooping. They seem to try most of the time for peeing, too. Such good little puppies. I really think we are ready to put the pellets in, I'm going to have to get the tray out even if it is bitter freaking cold outside again (it's with the outside puppy items)
I cleaned the dirt from Bela's excavation project and the muddy pawprints from the floor today. Poor old big dogs weren't thrilled that I spent another day cleaning the room and then I capped it off with giving them a bath they didn't get to go out and earn. But, with the exception of the puppies and the windows, the whole room is clean. I just ran out of steam before I did the windows.
In case you are wondering what the latest cute thing the pupsters are doing is, I'll be happy to tell you. When it is time for their probiotic,I used to rub their cheek to get them to yawn (the same manever I use to get a whiff of puppy breath) and then wipe it from my finger into their mouth. Now, when I put it on my finger, they lick it off. I have to pick up one puppy at a time so there aren't multiples licking it off my finger. I'll kind of miss it when they start eating (I'll mix the powder in with their food at that point.)
The plan is to sleep in the bed with the monitor on tonight but if I lie awake listening very long, I'll just come back down and sleep beside them again. I need to get SOME sleep. Especially since the vet is coming back in the am to follow up so I can't just go back to sleep after I feed Bela first breakfast and start more puppy laundry. Puppy breath to all! Nighty, nighty, nighty!
Puppies' fecal is negative for coccidia which is good but they still don't have great poop. And we've had a few more incidents of vomiting but I THINK they are all different puppies. I KNOW they are all eating so I'm trying not to worry overmuch. It's just very disconcerting to all of a sudden find some cottage cheesy stuff on the fleece - and all over puppies. I've given them sponge baths but I think they are getting better baths tomorrow when Dog CIndi will be here to help cuddle wet puppies in a warm towel.
This morning, I put them in the pool so I could change their linens and clean their pen. They woke up on the way and Bela came over to 'help.' The problem was, she was looking over into the pool at them and they were climbing over the edge. I had to keep getting puppies and putting them back into the pool. When I finally got her to move away, they quit going over the side.
They've done very well with going off the fleece bedding area to potty. I'm not certain they are 100% successfulcompliant with peeing but they have been with pooping. They seem to try most of the time for peeing, too. Such good little puppies. I really think we are ready to put the pellets in, I'm going to have to get the tray out even if it is bitter freaking cold outside again (it's with the outside puppy items)
I cleaned the dirt from Bela's excavation project and the muddy pawprints from the floor today. Poor old big dogs weren't thrilled that I spent another day cleaning the room and then I capped it off with giving them a bath they didn't get to go out and earn. But, with the exception of the puppies and the windows, the whole room is clean. I just ran out of steam before I did the windows.
In case you are wondering what the latest cute thing the pupsters are doing is, I'll be happy to tell you. When it is time for their probiotic,I used to rub their cheek to get them to yawn (the same manever I use to get a whiff of puppy breath) and then wipe it from my finger into their mouth. Now, when I put it on my finger, they lick it off. I have to pick up one puppy at a time so there aren't multiples licking it off my finger. I'll kind of miss it when they start eating (I'll mix the powder in with their food at that point.)
The plan is to sleep in the bed with the monitor on tonight but if I lie awake listening very long, I'll just come back down and sleep beside them again. I need to get SOME sleep. Especially since the vet is coming back in the am to follow up so I can't just go back to sleep after I feed Bela first breakfast and start more puppy laundry. Puppy breath to all! Nighty, nighty, nighty!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
March 26, 2015 Pupdate
The puppies are starting to have big time wrestling throwdowns when they play. And fortunately, they don't start any of those play sessions before daylight because they can pretty loud about it. They are absolutely adorable even if they are LOUD
Bela wanted me to wake up at 1am, when her next scheduled meal wasn't until 2:30. I tried to sleep through it but wasn't very successful so I fed her a few minutes early but I was awake for at least an hour and a half. I should've taken a nap today but I was waiting on the vet to come.
One of the puppies threw up and they all have some not very good poop today but they seem to be feeling fine otherwise. They are still eating with gusto and peeing fine, no fevers but I've never had puppies vomiting before so I wanted her to check just in case since things can go downhill quicky if they do get something. They aren't dehydrated and hearts sounded good so everything seems fine but I won't hear about the fecal until tomorrow. I offered them a little liver water and they enjoyed that a lot. They aren't showing any sign of feeling badly so hopefully there won't be any more of this. Bela had a nice titer for parvo and distemper so I at least probably don't have to worry about it being one of those (not that the symptoms match anyway.)
We also had her check Bela's eye, one of them is a little goopy but the stain showed no ulcer. She is squinting a little so we got some medicine to put in in 4 times a day for the next few days. I'd do it at mealtime but she eats more than 4 times a day ;-) And since, Jilly seemed a little sore after she sort of fell off of the couch last week, we had her bring some more meds for her in case she hurts again. She seems much better but I worry (I realize I am stating the obvous. While I am doing that, the puppies are about the cutest thing ever.)
Not that I'm paranoid but everytime one of the big dogs got a drink, I immediately thought something was horribly wrong with one of the puppies and then I realized what it was. I'm hoping we have an uneventful night. The puppies have been resting quietly since their last play session so maybe we will.
Bela is asking for cuddles and keeps hitting my arm while I'm trying to type so I think I'll say: Puppy breath to all. Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Bela wanted me to wake up at 1am, when her next scheduled meal wasn't until 2:30. I tried to sleep through it but wasn't very successful so I fed her a few minutes early but I was awake for at least an hour and a half. I should've taken a nap today but I was waiting on the vet to come.
One of the puppies threw up and they all have some not very good poop today but they seem to be feeling fine otherwise. They are still eating with gusto and peeing fine, no fevers but I've never had puppies vomiting before so I wanted her to check just in case since things can go downhill quicky if they do get something. They aren't dehydrated and hearts sounded good so everything seems fine but I won't hear about the fecal until tomorrow. I offered them a little liver water and they enjoyed that a lot. They aren't showing any sign of feeling badly so hopefully there won't be any more of this. Bela had a nice titer for parvo and distemper so I at least probably don't have to worry about it being one of those (not that the symptoms match anyway.)
We also had her check Bela's eye, one of them is a little goopy but the stain showed no ulcer. She is squinting a little so we got some medicine to put in in 4 times a day for the next few days. I'd do it at mealtime but she eats more than 4 times a day ;-) And since, Jilly seemed a little sore after she sort of fell off of the couch last week, we had her bring some more meds for her in case she hurts again. She seems much better but I worry (I realize I am stating the obvous. While I am doing that, the puppies are about the cutest thing ever.)
Not that I'm paranoid but everytime one of the big dogs got a drink, I immediately thought something was horribly wrong with one of the puppies and then I realized what it was. I'm hoping we have an uneventful night. The puppies have been resting quietly since their last play session so maybe we will.
Bela is asking for cuddles and keeps hitting my arm while I'm trying to type so I think I'll say: Puppy breath to all. Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
March 25, 2015 Pupdate
The little ones are starting to have a little more varied routine. They play for about 15 minutes and then they sleep again. They seem to be making somewhat of an effort to potty off of the sleepytime fleece but they do sleep and play on the pottying pads. Bela and I keep it pretty clean so it's not that big a deal. And I have no illusions that they won't sleep in the alfalfa pellet area either. It's a progression, Rome wasn't built in a day after all. I would almost swear that Bizzy did the potty dance a couple of times today though.
They have a bucket in the pen today. So far, they aren't old enough to try to play King of the Bucket but they did move it around. And they are starting to run. It's more of a few fast steps and a little lurching but they are definitely moving faster towards their intended target, animate or inanimate.
They are pretty good at nursing while Bela is standing now. She still goes in to nurse them but they also manage to latch on when she goes in to clean up. They aren't quite a swarm yet and often at least one or two of them is asleep when this happens but they seem to be doing well with their snacks between meals.
I think I felt a tooth in the back of Honey's mouth. They actively chew on fingers or toes now so I have the opportunity to feel what's happening in their little mouths. They are really cute when they do that, too. SO far, they are always cute.
The eyes seem to be working more and more and they are expanding their horizons a little. They definitely notice things outside the pen. At times, I think they are trying to find a way out but right now, they are just into exploring whatever they encounter. Hopefully, we have a little longer before they are going over the ferret ex pen.
It was very warm here today (in the 70s) so I had the windows open. The MSU was making a racket outside with the trimmers, the tractor and various machinery. They didn't flinch but they could hear it. I thought we were supposed to get a thunderstorm but it never materialized. We even got some sun and a lot of gusty wind - enough to make my chimes tinkle, they've never done that from the wind since they are hanging inside in front of a window. They've done it from being knocked into but not from the wind.
I was in the pen playing with them today (shocker, I know) and I had on a loose scrub top over my tank. While I was leaning over getting kisses from Green Hornet, Bizzy climbed into the neckline and was hanging inside. She wasn't struggling, I think she was just snuggling in for a nap (sometimes I carry them around inside a jacket). I'm running out of synonyms for adorable here so insert your own version ;-)
It's hard to get much else done because the big dogs need some attention when the puppies are sleeping but I have a few things I need to get done. Including cleaning the floor AGAIN because Bela decided she'd dig beside the spot I covered up already. She's bound and determined to have access to under the deck for those puppies. I'm bound and determined that she NOT, especially since she dig up the river rock and the weed barrier and into the dirt. She's definitely got the scouting gene from her Mother. And she's not a but repentant about it, she's very pleased with her handiwork so it's hard not to laugh (except when I am scrubbing the floor again.)
She's doing pretty well at consuming her nearly 5,000 calories a day but she is unwilling to eat kibble that has not been dressed up. She eats kibble at Dog Cindi's but here, she expects something that requires a little more effort apparently. At 2am, I don't feel too much like prepping her a fancier snack so I've been making it earlier and just giving it to her then. Other than having to feed it to her with a spoon, that works. (She will eat it herself, it's just much faster if I spoon it up so she doesn't have to chase it around the bowl while I try to keep the other 3 entertained. They eat their much smaller snack much faster than she eats her 1,000 calorie one)
Everyone else is napping right now so I think I'll take this opportunity to send puppy breath to all and say Nighty, nighty, nighty.
They have a bucket in the pen today. So far, they aren't old enough to try to play King of the Bucket but they did move it around. And they are starting to run. It's more of a few fast steps and a little lurching but they are definitely moving faster towards their intended target, animate or inanimate.
They are pretty good at nursing while Bela is standing now. She still goes in to nurse them but they also manage to latch on when she goes in to clean up. They aren't quite a swarm yet and often at least one or two of them is asleep when this happens but they seem to be doing well with their snacks between meals.
I think I felt a tooth in the back of Honey's mouth. They actively chew on fingers or toes now so I have the opportunity to feel what's happening in their little mouths. They are really cute when they do that, too. SO far, they are always cute.
The eyes seem to be working more and more and they are expanding their horizons a little. They definitely notice things outside the pen. At times, I think they are trying to find a way out but right now, they are just into exploring whatever they encounter. Hopefully, we have a little longer before they are going over the ferret ex pen.
It was very warm here today (in the 70s) so I had the windows open. The MSU was making a racket outside with the trimmers, the tractor and various machinery. They didn't flinch but they could hear it. I thought we were supposed to get a thunderstorm but it never materialized. We even got some sun and a lot of gusty wind - enough to make my chimes tinkle, they've never done that from the wind since they are hanging inside in front of a window. They've done it from being knocked into but not from the wind.
I was in the pen playing with them today (shocker, I know) and I had on a loose scrub top over my tank. While I was leaning over getting kisses from Green Hornet, Bizzy climbed into the neckline and was hanging inside. She wasn't struggling, I think she was just snuggling in for a nap (sometimes I carry them around inside a jacket). I'm running out of synonyms for adorable here so insert your own version ;-)
It's hard to get much else done because the big dogs need some attention when the puppies are sleeping but I have a few things I need to get done. Including cleaning the floor AGAIN because Bela decided she'd dig beside the spot I covered up already. She's bound and determined to have access to under the deck for those puppies. I'm bound and determined that she NOT, especially since she dig up the river rock and the weed barrier and into the dirt. She's definitely got the scouting gene from her Mother. And she's not a but repentant about it, she's very pleased with her handiwork so it's hard not to laugh (except when I am scrubbing the floor again.)
She's doing pretty well at consuming her nearly 5,000 calories a day but she is unwilling to eat kibble that has not been dressed up. She eats kibble at Dog Cindi's but here, she expects something that requires a little more effort apparently. At 2am, I don't feel too much like prepping her a fancier snack so I've been making it earlier and just giving it to her then. Other than having to feed it to her with a spoon, that works. (She will eat it herself, it's just much faster if I spoon it up so she doesn't have to chase it around the bowl while I try to keep the other 3 entertained. They eat their much smaller snack much faster than she eats her 1,000 calorie one)
Everyone else is napping right now so I think I'll take this opportunity to send puppy breath to all and say Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
March 24, 2015 pupdate
It's been a big day in the puppy room today. The not so wee ones had a few breakfasts, a lunch or 2 and some dinners. They slept and played and cuddled lurched around. They watched me clean and rearrange furniture for visitors. They mostly slept but they did watch some.
They interacted with the new additions to their world. I am adding at least one new item to the pen each day. Today it was a cat tunnel with crinkly fabric on the inside and a couple of plush toys. I am sure they will see some of them again but they will get a new item, too.
Then they had company, some people they already knew and 4 brand new people. Those 4 people are the first on our new unduplicated count. I hope they can meet at least 100 different people by the time they are 12 weeks old. Their cousin Trek came to see them, too (his mama was one of the new visitors.) I did keep the 3 'old' dogs out of the puppy room for the visitors. Jill and SammieDoodlebug would've been pretty protective of the puppies and Jack would've wanted them to throw his toy the whole time so he could retrieve for them. With the way I arranged the furniture, he didn't have a lot of room left. I love that the ottoben bed is on wheels, we are planning to put the couches on wheels as well but that will take some measuring. That might even make it easier to clean. Bela 'helped' by curling up on the couch I was trying to move. The old dogs know the drill and generally lie down on the couch on the side of the room I am not doing at the moment. Jack has been staying right with me while I vacuum though, I'm not certain what's up with that.
LeAnne made graphs as promised. She says this one isn't as visually interesting but I think it has very re-assurng information:
Although there is a somewhat large variation in the amounts the smaller ones and the larger ones are gaining, it is proportional so I am not going to worry (at least not about that, I’m certain I’ll find something else.)
The pupsters are all napping and I’ve pretty tuckered so I think I’ll take a pre-midnight snack nap. Puppy breath to all…
Monday, March 23, 2015
March 23, 2015 3 Weeks Old!
March 23, 2015 3 Weeks Old!
The puppies celebrated their 3 week with assorted bursts of puppy activity and a lot of sleeping. They had a few bar crawls, their mama keeps moving the bar around, sometimes in the middle of a feeding.
They intereact with very definite intentions, even if their chosen playmate is still asleep. Sometimes, the other puppy will awaken, sometimes not. As I type, Bizzy barked and walked across the pen (with her tail up and wagging) to her brother Green Hornet. He wasn't awake so she did some growly biting and actually got a pretty decent grip on his ear with her gums which she followed with a wallowing. He woke up and they are playing a lying on their side wrestling, paw slapping, bitey mouth game. After about 2 minutes, they and one of their nearby siblings have piled up for a nap. And yes, the poor puppies do get to play some when I am not touching them but if I want to know exactly what's going on, I have to stick my hand in there.
I plan to introduce the alfalfa pellet litter area tomorrow night or Wed. (It depends on when I get an appropriate box lid) Let the puppy brainwashing begin! I've already been giving them an area without the fleece where I plan to put the potty pan and they often (but not always) make an effort to go there to potty. It was on 3 sides of the pen (I never do it in the front because I don't want them to get used to standing where they potty and the front is where they come to see people) and now it is just on the back and the side away from the door Bela will use when they are too big for the ferret ex pen to contain them. The alfalfa pellets smell more like grass (the brainwashing) and since they are rabbit food, it won't hurt if they ingest some (they are puppies and PWDs at that, it's a given they will ingest some so I feel better using something food grade)
Mama Bela is absolutely bound and determined to create a den for them under the deck. I blocked off her previous attempt with a planter and she spent some time today working on the area beside it. She likes to go outside and bark at things that may or may not be in the area, including the MSU when he is working outside so I gave her a few minutes (she could come in the dog door at any time, she wasn't locked outside). She tracked dirt all over my floor so I went to see what she'd been doing and found the new hole. I'll have to find something to cover that area since she can obviously move the river rocks that were already there. She seems very proud of her resourcefulness.
Mayor Bumble is currently streaking. His collar was too tight and when I was trying to fix it, his mother decided that she'd 'help.' In ture PWD fashion, she put her big ol head right in the way which got him way too excited to cooperate with me.
In honor of National Puppy Day, we are sending puppy breath to all and saying Nighty, nighty, nighty!
The puppies celebrated their 3 week with assorted bursts of puppy activity and a lot of sleeping. They had a few bar crawls, their mama keeps moving the bar around, sometimes in the middle of a feeding.
They intereact with very definite intentions, even if their chosen playmate is still asleep. Sometimes, the other puppy will awaken, sometimes not. As I type, Bizzy barked and walked across the pen (with her tail up and wagging) to her brother Green Hornet. He wasn't awake so she did some growly biting and actually got a pretty decent grip on his ear with her gums which she followed with a wallowing. He woke up and they are playing a lying on their side wrestling, paw slapping, bitey mouth game. After about 2 minutes, they and one of their nearby siblings have piled up for a nap. And yes, the poor puppies do get to play some when I am not touching them but if I want to know exactly what's going on, I have to stick my hand in there.
I plan to introduce the alfalfa pellet litter area tomorrow night or Wed. (It depends on when I get an appropriate box lid) Let the puppy brainwashing begin! I've already been giving them an area without the fleece where I plan to put the potty pan and they often (but not always) make an effort to go there to potty. It was on 3 sides of the pen (I never do it in the front because I don't want them to get used to standing where they potty and the front is where they come to see people) and now it is just on the back and the side away from the door Bela will use when they are too big for the ferret ex pen to contain them. The alfalfa pellets smell more like grass (the brainwashing) and since they are rabbit food, it won't hurt if they ingest some (they are puppies and PWDs at that, it's a given they will ingest some so I feel better using something food grade)
Mama Bela is absolutely bound and determined to create a den for them under the deck. I blocked off her previous attempt with a planter and she spent some time today working on the area beside it. She likes to go outside and bark at things that may or may not be in the area, including the MSU when he is working outside so I gave her a few minutes (she could come in the dog door at any time, she wasn't locked outside). She tracked dirt all over my floor so I went to see what she'd been doing and found the new hole. I'll have to find something to cover that area since she can obviously move the river rocks that were already there. She seems very proud of her resourcefulness.
Mayor Bumble is currently streaking. His collar was too tight and when I was trying to fix it, his mother decided that she'd 'help.' In ture PWD fashion, she put her big ol head right in the way which got him way too excited to cooperate with me.
In honor of National Puppy Day, we are sending puppy breath to all and saying Nighty, nighty, nighty!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
March 22, 2015 Pupdate
Big day here in the holler. Puppies continue to be absolutely adorable and are growing like weeds. Dog Cindi and LeAnne came to play with the babies. We did a little grooming n between puppy cuddling. The puppies had an introduction to formula, they ate some and wore some and then ate it off of each other. Their mama cleaned up the rest in the pan and then their Aunt SammieDoodlebug cleaned them up again. I know you'll be surprised to hear they were extremely cute doing that.
They are starting to get good at playing with each other and are playing with toys and people, too. They watch what's going on outside the pen some, too. They don't have any teeth yet but they are starting to gum on people and each other. They make little growly and barky sounds and lurch at the intended target. They also attempt to use their paws. Sometimes, they lose their balance and flop over but that doesn't seem to bother them much. They either waller back up or roll over and find a new target.
LeAnne and I took the dogs who aren't nursing puppies for a little jaunt to the pond. Bela was NOT happy with that turn of events at all. It was time for her to eat her chicken but she wasn't having any of that until we came back. She was fine as soon as we came in the gate. I don'think she'd have been interested in going with us, she doesn't even want to go out of the gated yard to potty (the puppies might need her) but she wasn't happy that they went without her. They all went in the pond - even JillyBean swam a little (she's usually more of a wader unless she's swimming to me out in the boat) and fortunately the geese appear to have moved along. I don't mind them stopping here as they migrate but I don't like it if they try to nest. I think the pond was still pretty chilly but they didn't mind. Hope it warms up enough for the baby dogs to swim in a few weeks. There is always the pool but it's a little easier to make sure the pupsters can get out of the pond.
We held a weight watcher's meeting, those little suckers are definitely sucking. They've gained an average of 20% of their body weight from last Tuesday. Some of them have gained a little more - Vespu gained a pound! We have 24.86 percent more puppy goodness than at the meeting last Tuesday. LeAnne is going to make us some charts/graphs to make the weight watcher's reports more interesting ;-)
I changed the pen a little again while they were here to guard the puppies in the whelping pool. Dog Cindi had a little trouble containing them but they weren't attempting to get out of the pool everywhere, they were just trying to come out to her ;-) It's a pretty sweet problem to experience, I highly recommend it.
We each took a turn in the freshly changed pen. That's another experience I highly recommend. Even if the puppies are sleeping, they are sweet but there is usually at least one or two awake and interacting with you. They nuzzle and lick and chew and cuddle. Plenty of puppy breath to be had.
Speakng of puppy breath, we're sending virtual puppy breath to all and saying Nighty, Nighty, Nighty (after a little more cuddling)
They are starting to get good at playing with each other and are playing with toys and people, too. They watch what's going on outside the pen some, too. They don't have any teeth yet but they are starting to gum on people and each other. They make little growly and barky sounds and lurch at the intended target. They also attempt to use their paws. Sometimes, they lose their balance and flop over but that doesn't seem to bother them much. They either waller back up or roll over and find a new target.
LeAnne and I took the dogs who aren't nursing puppies for a little jaunt to the pond. Bela was NOT happy with that turn of events at all. It was time for her to eat her chicken but she wasn't having any of that until we came back. She was fine as soon as we came in the gate. I don'think she'd have been interested in going with us, she doesn't even want to go out of the gated yard to potty (the puppies might need her) but she wasn't happy that they went without her. They all went in the pond - even JillyBean swam a little (she's usually more of a wader unless she's swimming to me out in the boat) and fortunately the geese appear to have moved along. I don't mind them stopping here as they migrate but I don't like it if they try to nest. I think the pond was still pretty chilly but they didn't mind. Hope it warms up enough for the baby dogs to swim in a few weeks. There is always the pool but it's a little easier to make sure the pupsters can get out of the pond.
We held a weight watcher's meeting, those little suckers are definitely sucking. They've gained an average of 20% of their body weight from last Tuesday. Some of them have gained a little more - Vespu gained a pound! We have 24.86 percent more puppy goodness than at the meeting last Tuesday. LeAnne is going to make us some charts/graphs to make the weight watcher's reports more interesting ;-)
I changed the pen a little again while they were here to guard the puppies in the whelping pool. Dog Cindi had a little trouble containing them but they weren't attempting to get out of the pool everywhere, they were just trying to come out to her ;-) It's a pretty sweet problem to experience, I highly recommend it.
We each took a turn in the freshly changed pen. That's another experience I highly recommend. Even if the puppies are sleeping, they are sweet but there is usually at least one or two awake and interacting with you. They nuzzle and lick and chew and cuddle. Plenty of puppy breath to be had.
Speakng of puppy breath, we're sending virtual puppy breath to all and saying Nighty, Nighty, Nighty (after a little more cuddling)
Saturday, March 21, 2015
March 21, 2015 Pupdate
I'm worn out. All of the big dogs (even Jack) and the pupsters are asleep at the moment as well but they would all be ready to go at a moments notice and I'm only ready to go to bed ;-)
The puppies are turning into little dogs at 2 1/2 weeks of age! This morning (about 5 am morning), after she fed and cleaned the puppies, Bela got ibed with me for a little cuddle. And she even cuddled up without having to stand on my neck having her neck scratched. In very little time though, she looked out the window and saw a deer* in the landscaping next to the house. She was having none of that and commenced barking. SDB and Jill joined right in and even though the deer retreated they were quite adamant about the need to bark a few moments. The part I found most interesting was one of the puppies was barking too. I thought it might've been coincidence but later today, it happened again and Dog Cindi and Colleen witnessed it.
We did some grooming on all of the big dogs; toenails, baths and clipping. The puppies were unimpressed but at least they get to hear the dryer and the dremel.
The pupsters are starting to intreeact with each other, they are even starting to play a version of hungry hungry hippo. Cindi got some video of it today but I can't get it to post here. They walk with purpose aand are even holding their tails up (and wagging) when they traipse aroun the pen. Cuter and cuter, I tell you even though it doesn't seem possible.
I thnk I'm going to give the puppies a cuddle and take a nap. We have big pans for tomorrow: a photo shoot, a weight watchers meeting, maybe even a little cuddling, Puppy breath to all and Nighty, ngihty, nighty.
* assuming a deer, can't swear to it but it stands to reason that's what it was based on behavior and sightings by MSU.
The puppies are turning into little dogs at 2 1/2 weeks of age! This morning (about 5 am morning), after she fed and cleaned the puppies, Bela got ibed with me for a little cuddle. And she even cuddled up without having to stand on my neck having her neck scratched. In very little time though, she looked out the window and saw a deer* in the landscaping next to the house. She was having none of that and commenced barking. SDB and Jill joined right in and even though the deer retreated they were quite adamant about the need to bark a few moments. The part I found most interesting was one of the puppies was barking too. I thought it might've been coincidence but later today, it happened again and Dog Cindi and Colleen witnessed it.
We did some grooming on all of the big dogs; toenails, baths and clipping. The puppies were unimpressed but at least they get to hear the dryer and the dremel.
The pupsters are starting to intreeact with each other, they are even starting to play a version of hungry hungry hippo. Cindi got some video of it today but I can't get it to post here. They walk with purpose aand are even holding their tails up (and wagging) when they traipse aroun the pen. Cuter and cuter, I tell you even though it doesn't seem possible.
I thnk I'm going to give the puppies a cuddle and take a nap. We have big pans for tomorrow: a photo shoot, a weight watchers meeting, maybe even a little cuddling, Puppy breath to all and Nighty, ngihty, nighty.
* assuming a deer, can't swear to it but it stands to reason that's what it was based on behavior and sightings by MSU.
Friday, March 20, 2015
March 20, 2015 Pupdate - Finally Spring
I forgot to write the blog last night. i went to sleep earlier, set an alarm to get up and feed the dogs instead of staying up and just didn't get anything written. The puppies were still adorable. And, big surprise, they still are ;-)
We have finished up Puppy Yoga (early neurological stimulation) so we'll have to find something else to do for fun. I've been carrying individual puppies in my jacket a little bit, I miss Armada being my jacket puppy. They just cuddle right in unless their mother or aunt come up to see what's going on, then they get a little feisty.
They are definitely starting to see and they go to the front of the pen and look through the ferret ex pen. They also vocalize more. I can't tell if they can hear it yet or if they just make noises btu they definitely have a little bark in amongst their repertoire. It's pretty cute (but everything they do is cute IMO)
Dog Cindi put more pictures up yesterday but we had to create another place for them. Apparently, we are taking a lot of pictures - even with her editing out the ones that are almost exaclty alike. Apparenlty, the burst mode is fast enough that you can watch puppies breathe in and out in the pictures. I'll try to post the link with the other one. And I'm sure we'll get lots of new pictures this weekend to add to it. It's supposed to be a beautiful day tomorrow and it's spring now so maybe the weather will stay warmer and we can get the outside stuff set up for the babies and then they can go out and enjoy it (when they are old enough.)
I'm going to get in a last cuddle, feed the dogs and go Nighty, nighty, nighty.
We have finished up Puppy Yoga (early neurological stimulation) so we'll have to find something else to do for fun. I've been carrying individual puppies in my jacket a little bit, I miss Armada being my jacket puppy. They just cuddle right in unless their mother or aunt come up to see what's going on, then they get a little feisty.
They are definitely starting to see and they go to the front of the pen and look through the ferret ex pen. They also vocalize more. I can't tell if they can hear it yet or if they just make noises btu they definitely have a little bark in amongst their repertoire. It's pretty cute (but everything they do is cute IMO)
Dog Cindi put more pictures up yesterday but we had to create another place for them. Apparently, we are taking a lot of pictures - even with her editing out the ones that are almost exaclty alike. Apparenlty, the burst mode is fast enough that you can watch puppies breathe in and out in the pictures. I'll try to post the link with the other one. And I'm sure we'll get lots of new pictures this weekend to add to it. It's supposed to be a beautiful day tomorrow and it's spring now so maybe the weather will stay warmer and we can get the outside stuff set up for the babies and then they can go out and enjoy it (when they are old enough.)
I'm going to get in a last cuddle, feed the dogs and go Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
March 18, 2015 Pupdate
The little ones are definitely developing their eyesight, they have started fussing at the bars of the ferret ex pen. Mayor Bumble has been grumbling and barking and talking at it. Sometimes, it gets his mama. Other times it brings his Aunty Doodlebug and soemtimes, that lady pcks him up and cuddle. Occasionally, it just gives him a chance to exercise his lungs and practice making dog sounds.
Their human Nana and Granddad came by this afternoon to meet and cuddle them. Their mama decided it was time to open the bar not long after they arrived so we interrupted cuddle time for feeding time. After they fnished eating, we completed the rotation. The bar opened again later and they all ate again. Mayor Bumble almost slept through that time but he made up for it at the end.
I prepared some formula to to have on hand for when they are ready to have a liitle drink here and there. I need to get the satellite bowls ready for them, too.
Bela has started to take toys into the pen and leave them for hte puppies. So far, they aren't overly impressed by them but they do climb over them and a few of them were napping on the pink and purple baby blankie with squeakers in the squares that has been a favorite toy since SDB's first litter.
She's also had a little more time for cuddling. This morning, I went back to sleep after I fed them breakfast and, after she fed and cleaned the puppies, she cuddled with me. The only space left (Jack, Jill and SammieDoodlebug were all on the ottoben bed with me) was across my shoulders and chest so when I woke up (the phone rang) I couldn't get up until she decided to move. That's my Bela, if you don't have the sense to spoon her (you need to be the big spoon), she'll waller all over you (and then bitch slap you when she thinks you are - or should be - waking up.)
We send virtual cuddles and puppy breath to all. Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
Their human Nana and Granddad came by this afternoon to meet and cuddle them. Their mama decided it was time to open the bar not long after they arrived so we interrupted cuddle time for feeding time. After they fnished eating, we completed the rotation. The bar opened again later and they all ate again. Mayor Bumble almost slept through that time but he made up for it at the end.
I prepared some formula to to have on hand for when they are ready to have a liitle drink here and there. I need to get the satellite bowls ready for them, too.
Bela has started to take toys into the pen and leave them for hte puppies. So far, they aren't overly impressed by them but they do climb over them and a few of them were napping on the pink and purple baby blankie with squeakers in the squares that has been a favorite toy since SDB's first litter.
She's also had a little more time for cuddling. This morning, I went back to sleep after I fed them breakfast and, after she fed and cleaned the puppies, she cuddled with me. The only space left (Jack, Jill and SammieDoodlebug were all on the ottoben bed with me) was across my shoulders and chest so when I woke up (the phone rang) I couldn't get up until she decided to move. That's my Bela, if you don't have the sense to spoon her (you need to be the big spoon), she'll waller all over you (and then bitch slap you when she thinks you are - or should be - waking up.)
We send virtual cuddles and puppy breath to all. Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
March 17, 2015 Happy St Patrick's Day
Another day packed full of puppy goodness. I actually slept a good part of the night, I only needed a little nap today. I put them in the pool whie I changed out their linens in the pen and, since they were asleep, there were no escapees. Hopefully, that will last until they can go outside when I clean. If not, I'll have to crate them but that's at least a week or so off. Bela seems to enjoy having the additional space to be nearby but not necessarily touching the puppies. She no longer has to resort to lying next to the pool with her chin on the edge.
Dog Cindi and Debbie came this evening to visit with the puppies, Bela and the big dogs. They cut toenails; we had a photo shoot, and a weight watchers meeting. We have just over 17.5 lbs of puppy, just about treble their birth weight. Bela's doing a good job and she's doing a nice job keeping them cleaned up as well. Auntie SammieDoodlebug likes to give them kisses but she lets Bela do the rest. Bela seems to like this arrangement. JillyBean trusts Bela and me to take care of the babies but she isn't so sure about Dog Cindi, Debbie or other visitors. She keeps an eye on them just in case.
We also changed the collars out for the full length ones. Buzz E. and the Green Hornet hadn't quite outgrown theirs but I changed them out, too. And they had some good cuddles.
I am really enjoying the pen, too. Bela is right about there being more room to lie down and cuddle with the puppies. The puppies are good cuddlers but it tickles when they nuzzle and lick my leg. Not enough to make me get up though. ;-)
Everyone was very docile during puppy yoga last night. I guess it doesn't hurt that they had full tummies but nobody fussed even when we did the cold towel part. And they are perfectly willling to have a little snuggle when we are done, too. I'll snag a little extra puppy breath for all of you. Nighty, nighty, nighty
Dog Cindi and Debbie came this evening to visit with the puppies, Bela and the big dogs. They cut toenails; we had a photo shoot, and a weight watchers meeting. We have just over 17.5 lbs of puppy, just about treble their birth weight. Bela's doing a good job and she's doing a nice job keeping them cleaned up as well. Auntie SammieDoodlebug likes to give them kisses but she lets Bela do the rest. Bela seems to like this arrangement. JillyBean trusts Bela and me to take care of the babies but she isn't so sure about Dog Cindi, Debbie or other visitors. She keeps an eye on them just in case.
We also changed the collars out for the full length ones. Buzz E. and the Green Hornet hadn't quite outgrown theirs but I changed them out, too. And they had some good cuddles.
I am really enjoying the pen, too. Bela is right about there being more room to lie down and cuddle with the puppies. The puppies are good cuddlers but it tickles when they nuzzle and lick my leg. Not enough to make me get up though. ;-)
Everyone was very docile during puppy yoga last night. I guess it doesn't hurt that they had full tummies but nobody fussed even when we did the cold towel part. And they are perfectly willling to have a little snuggle when we are done, too. I'll snag a little extra puppy breath for all of you. Nighty, nighty, nighty
Monday, March 16, 2015
March 16, 2015 2 weeks old
Happy 2 week birthday pupsters. We set up the monitoring system (apps on iffen and ipad) last night and I went to lie down around 12:30. I was still fiddling with the monitor when Bela was barking, I thought she was barking at the deer outside (she had been barking at them at potty time rght before bed) and I came downstairs to go help her scare them off so she'd rest. She was not barking out the doors though, she was barking for ME to 'come get this puppy!'
Vespu had come over the wall of the pool. I'm pretty certain that previous puppies were in the pool at least until their eyes were open but I'll have to check to be certain. I'm glad we rearranged instead of shaving butts and muzzles or it would've been a lot more work to set up. As it was, I had to bring the next stage totes out today and pack up the '0-2 weeks' stuff. I guess that's a slight misnomer for that tote now.
Needless to say, I spent another night on the ottoben bed. At least it is very comfortable.
I think is it safe to proceed as if we are almost completely out of the neonatal period and into the transitional period. And it's time to increase Bela's calories again.
The puppies seemed to like their new digs just fine and I don't have to worry about them getting out. I'm sure I'll find something else to worry about soon enough ;-)
It was another lovely day, I'm excited for spring and for taking the pupsters outside. It's nice to have springtime puppies. We should get thunder and rain and hopefully the pond will be warmish for swimming so we don't have to put on all of our neoprene.
There's only a few days more of puppy yoga but puppy breath and cuddles will continue. I'm going to get things ready and see if I can start getting my days and nights back on track a little more.
Bela must have the same idea because she just opened the bar early. The puppies bellied right up to the bar so I'll have to wait a few minutes to do nighttime feeding (of the big dogs), puppy yoga, and cuddles. Then we'll send puppy breath to all and go Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Vespu had come over the wall of the pool. I'm pretty certain that previous puppies were in the pool at least until their eyes were open but I'll have to check to be certain. I'm glad we rearranged instead of shaving butts and muzzles or it would've been a lot more work to set up. As it was, I had to bring the next stage totes out today and pack up the '0-2 weeks' stuff. I guess that's a slight misnomer for that tote now.
Needless to say, I spent another night on the ottoben bed. At least it is very comfortable.
I think is it safe to proceed as if we are almost completely out of the neonatal period and into the transitional period. And it's time to increase Bela's calories again.
The puppies seemed to like their new digs just fine and I don't have to worry about them getting out. I'm sure I'll find something else to worry about soon enough ;-)
It was another lovely day, I'm excited for spring and for taking the pupsters outside. It's nice to have springtime puppies. We should get thunder and rain and hopefully the pond will be warmish for swimming so we don't have to put on all of our neoprene.
There's only a few days more of puppy yoga but puppy breath and cuddles will continue. I'm going to get things ready and see if I can start getting my days and nights back on track a little more.
Bela must have the same idea because she just opened the bar early. The puppies bellied right up to the bar so I'll have to wait a few minutes to do nighttime feeding (of the big dogs), puppy yoga, and cuddles. Then we'll send puppy breath to all and go Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
March 15, 2015 Pupdate - the eyes of March
I forgot to post yesterday that Bela and Aunt Doodlebug started licking the puppies' faces instead of Bela just cleaning up after them. It continued today, too. Sammiedoodlebug was warned (by humans) that if she persists, these puppies will get teeth and eventually may grab her tongue like the other puppies have done. She says she'll worry about it when it happens, and it'll be worth it if it does.
Groomapalooza didn't completely happen today. I ended up setting up the flooring and part fo the ex pen for hte next stage since their about to open eyes coupled with them already nosing up the edge of the pool indicates, they'll be out of it soon. We did give the big dogs baths and Dremeled their toenails. I bathed Bela first during one of the times she wasn't caring for her puppies. She kept sitting in the shower but otherwise enjoyed it as much as ever. She didn't make the babies wet (and cold) afterward but I closed the windows beforehand just in case.
Several of the puppies were up on all 4 feet walking around a few times today as opposed to just wriggling, crawling and lurching around. They didn't end up anywhere different this way but it is still pretty neat to observe.
Jack is insistent on helping me to type this tongiht. I'm unsure why as he is rarely THIS kind of demanding (he's more a throw the ball, throw the ball kind of dog) so I am going to give up for now. I'm going to try to get some sleep tonight, too. We'll see how that goes. First puppy yoga and changing their linens (and maybe a few cuddles here and there.) Puppy breath to al and Nighty, nighty, nighty
Groomapalooza didn't completely happen today. I ended up setting up the flooring and part fo the ex pen for hte next stage since their about to open eyes coupled with them already nosing up the edge of the pool indicates, they'll be out of it soon. We did give the big dogs baths and Dremeled their toenails. I bathed Bela first during one of the times she wasn't caring for her puppies. She kept sitting in the shower but otherwise enjoyed it as much as ever. She didn't make the babies wet (and cold) afterward but I closed the windows beforehand just in case.
Several of the puppies were up on all 4 feet walking around a few times today as opposed to just wriggling, crawling and lurching around. They didn't end up anywhere different this way but it is still pretty neat to observe.
Jack is insistent on helping me to type this tongiht. I'm unsure why as he is rarely THIS kind of demanding (he's more a throw the ball, throw the ball kind of dog) so I am going to give up for now. I'm going to try to get some sleep tonight, too. We'll see how that goes. First puppy yoga and changing their linens (and maybe a few cuddles here and there.) Puppy breath to al and Nighty, nighty, nighty
Saturday, March 14, 2015
March 14, 2015 Pi day pupdate
They just keep getting cuter and cuter! I didn't feed them pie and surpisingly enough they weren't very cooperative when we tried to arrange them into the symbol for pi for a picture. We did get some other pictures and they are on the site. Which we have almost filled up already I'm going to have to find something that will hold a LOT of pictures and is easy for everyone to upload/edit.
Eyes are starting to slit open. Growing, growing, growing. Sweeter and sweeter. They don't know their names yet but they do drunkenly ramble over to me in the pool.
We have a grooming party planned for tomorrow. Big dogs need some haircuts, pedicures, etc. We thought about doing toenails today but my head took forever to lighten up on the weather headache so we decided to wait until tomorrow.
I'm getting things together for the next stage of development. I am afraid that once their eyes open, they are going over the wall so I'm going to have to secure their perimeter a little more until we are ready to take them out of the pool altogether. I am trying to figure out if I should move the one of the couches to make it easier for visitors to interact with the puppies but I don't want to cut down on Jack's open area for retrieving.
I know a lot more happened today but this is one of those days that all I remember is that all of the puppies are still alive and well and growing.
So we are going to call it a day. We'll do puppy yoga, feed the big dogs, sing the three songs and go nighty, nighty, nighty. Puppy breath to all and to all a good night.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Eyes are starting to slit open. Growing, growing, growing. Sweeter and sweeter. They don't know their names yet but they do drunkenly ramble over to me in the pool.
We have a grooming party planned for tomorrow. Big dogs need some haircuts, pedicures, etc. We thought about doing toenails today but my head took forever to lighten up on the weather headache so we decided to wait until tomorrow.
I'm getting things together for the next stage of development. I am afraid that once their eyes open, they are going over the wall so I'm going to have to secure their perimeter a little more until we are ready to take them out of the pool altogether. I am trying to figure out if I should move the one of the couches to make it easier for visitors to interact with the puppies but I don't want to cut down on Jack's open area for retrieving.
I know a lot more happened today but this is one of those days that all I remember is that all of the puppies are still alive and well and growing.
So we are going to call it a day. We'll do puppy yoga, feed the big dogs, sing the three songs and go nighty, nighty, nighty. Puppy breath to all and to all a good night.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 13, 2015
March 13, 2014 Pupdate Friday the 13th
It was a busy day in the puppy pool today. Unplugging phones worked for me, not certain if it still forwarded to the MSU's iffen (for anyone curious, iffen is how my screen reader pronounces iPhone so that's what I named my cell phone - you may have noticed I name things) but it didn't wake me. And there was another good news text about their cousin Mila in Louisville. Winner's Bitch and Best of Winner's for another major today.
And speaking of naming things: I have nicknames for the babies. In birth order: Mayor Bumble (yellow collar boy); Bizzy (bright pink collar girl); Buzz E (blue collar boy); the Green Hornet (bright green collar boy); Honey (purple collar girl); and Vespu(la) (Orange collar girl) Can you guess the common denominator in the names?
Dog CIndi came by this evening and toenails were trimmed, puppies were cuddled and we held a weight watchers meeting. they are indeed gaining weight. In honor of Friday the 13th, we have 13 lbs of puppy. And they all have lots of puppy breath. All but one of them opened up for Dog Cindi to give them a little dab of their probiotic paste. He was pretty sound asleep and didn't even do it for me until I actually rubbed his gum. They are usually pretty good about opening up/yawning when I rub their cheek. And their little tongues licking and licking it away.
Their hair is growing and I think they are starting to grow whiskers. I love little puppy whiskers - as opposed to all of those things I don't like about puppies ;-)
Bella got some time on the grooming table which she thoroughly enjoyed, as usual. She wasn't ready to be done after we took her stitches out so I brushed her and we cleaned her ears. She's never had an ear issue but she had a little gunk in one so I'll montor it to make sure it doesn't turn into anything.
There should be some new pictures up soon , if not already. I'll warn you they are awfully cute puppies and if the pictures reflect that, you'll just want to stare at them all of the time. ;-)
I need to clean the floor so I am going to post this. Puppy breath to all and Nighty, Nighty, Nighty.
And speaking of naming things: I have nicknames for the babies. In birth order: Mayor Bumble (yellow collar boy); Bizzy (bright pink collar girl); Buzz E (blue collar boy); the Green Hornet (bright green collar boy); Honey (purple collar girl); and Vespu(la) (Orange collar girl) Can you guess the common denominator in the names?
Dog CIndi came by this evening and toenails were trimmed, puppies were cuddled and we held a weight watchers meeting. they are indeed gaining weight. In honor of Friday the 13th, we have 13 lbs of puppy. And they all have lots of puppy breath. All but one of them opened up for Dog Cindi to give them a little dab of their probiotic paste. He was pretty sound asleep and didn't even do it for me until I actually rubbed his gum. They are usually pretty good about opening up/yawning when I rub their cheek. And their little tongues licking and licking it away.
Their hair is growing and I think they are starting to grow whiskers. I love little puppy whiskers - as opposed to all of those things I don't like about puppies ;-)
Bella got some time on the grooming table which she thoroughly enjoyed, as usual. She wasn't ready to be done after we took her stitches out so I brushed her and we cleaned her ears. She's never had an ear issue but she had a little gunk in one so I'll montor it to make sure it doesn't turn into anything.
There should be some new pictures up soon , if not already. I'll warn you they are awfully cute puppies and if the pictures reflect that, you'll just want to stare at them all of the time. ;-)
I need to clean the floor so I am going to post this. Puppy breath to all and Nighty, Nighty, Nighty.
March 12, 2015 Pupdate
Good morning Good morning the little pups say. And then they eat and nap agan. It's a little strange not to have nay brown puppies in the pool. We've had 2 or 3 since the our second litter. Bet all brown would be stranger still. There seem to be a lot of white feet in there too but most of it will probably go away. Dog Cindi says several of them have white tips on their tails but it's pretty small and will most likely dissipate as they grow. Their little toenails grow very fast.
Forwarding the phone isn't working (it still rings at least once) and I've been just turning the sound off on iffen but it still vibrates. Tomorrow am, I'm putting iffen on Do not disturb and unplugging the house phones. The MSU can get any urgent calls on his iffen. That way, he can be told about the fabulous offer to transfer our non existent high interest credit cards or government offered cell phones while I sleep. When I did wake up fully, there was a text on iffen that Mila (the puppies' cousin) had shown well in Louisville and was Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for her second major. We wish her luck tomorrow, too.
Yesterday was very nice and sunny. Rain was forecast for today but so far, we are having some sunshine. It doesn't feel as warm but it's still a nice change. I'm ready for springtime.
The binders for puppy books came yesterday so I can get started on those when I have time. I found some that are close to Bela's green. (For water work, we've sort of color coded the dogs. Purple is the color they all have in common but each of them has a bright color that we use for their harness, bumper, drag bag, etc. so I can keep track of which is which when the village goes together (my preferred method). Jack didn't like other dog's saliva on his things so we never share anything but the net.
They seem to be grwoing a lot. I have to keep loosening their collars. I think it won't be long before most of them have to move to the full length ones. I like these bright colored velcro ones. There are still some dull colors in the package bt we didn't have so many puppies that we had to use those.
Bela is having a little more time away from the puppies to do very Bela things. Last night, when I was blowing out the other 3 dogs hair after showers, Bela 'needed' her turn on the table. She LOVES the table. When we are doing toenails, we might as well just do her one foot at a time because she wants up on the table EVERY time another dog gets down. She has been known to sleep on the table. She loves the table part of dog shows and she always wants on the table at the vet. So last night, she wanted a turn on the table after I finished SammieDoodlebug. I, as usual, complied with her wishes. Spoiled dogs? Here? Well, maybe ;-)
This evening after she had finished cleaning and feeding them, she cuddled up beside me on the couch for a few minutes. She took Jack's monkey paw and just held it while she flipped herself upside down in my lap. I'd have take a picture but I had my hands full holding her head and rubbing her tummy. ;-)
There were no intruders they had to warn off today but they still checked a few times. And Bela seems to be working on a plan to renovate the space under the steps/deck 'just in case'. I am going to have to find the big rocks and put them in her way. I don't want the puppies to be able to get in there when they start going outside (you know, when they open their eyes and ears, it's never too early to worry.)
I think Dog Cindi is supposed to come tomorrow evening. I need her to look at B's incision (it feels like it's time to take her stitches out) and maybe we can have a weight watchers meeting. I've taken some pictures (and I did get the pictures link on the sidebar) and she'll probably take some more and maybe put them on dropbox. We need to do a little grooming on B, too.
The puppies have started attempting to nurse on my nose when I am snuggling them. It's really sweet plus it has the benefit of getting to sniff puppy breath. I guess there's enough that I can share some now so puppy breath to all!
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Forwarding the phone isn't working (it still rings at least once) and I've been just turning the sound off on iffen but it still vibrates. Tomorrow am, I'm putting iffen on Do not disturb and unplugging the house phones. The MSU can get any urgent calls on his iffen. That way, he can be told about the fabulous offer to transfer our non existent high interest credit cards or government offered cell phones while I sleep. When I did wake up fully, there was a text on iffen that Mila (the puppies' cousin) had shown well in Louisville and was Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for her second major. We wish her luck tomorrow, too.
Yesterday was very nice and sunny. Rain was forecast for today but so far, we are having some sunshine. It doesn't feel as warm but it's still a nice change. I'm ready for springtime.
The binders for puppy books came yesterday so I can get started on those when I have time. I found some that are close to Bela's green. (For water work, we've sort of color coded the dogs. Purple is the color they all have in common but each of them has a bright color that we use for their harness, bumper, drag bag, etc. so I can keep track of which is which when the village goes together (my preferred method). Jack didn't like other dog's saliva on his things so we never share anything but the net.
They seem to be grwoing a lot. I have to keep loosening their collars. I think it won't be long before most of them have to move to the full length ones. I like these bright colored velcro ones. There are still some dull colors in the package bt we didn't have so many puppies that we had to use those.
Bela is having a little more time away from the puppies to do very Bela things. Last night, when I was blowing out the other 3 dogs hair after showers, Bela 'needed' her turn on the table. She LOVES the table. When we are doing toenails, we might as well just do her one foot at a time because she wants up on the table EVERY time another dog gets down. She has been known to sleep on the table. She loves the table part of dog shows and she always wants on the table at the vet. So last night, she wanted a turn on the table after I finished SammieDoodlebug. I, as usual, complied with her wishes. Spoiled dogs? Here? Well, maybe ;-)
This evening after she had finished cleaning and feeding them, she cuddled up beside me on the couch for a few minutes. She took Jack's monkey paw and just held it while she flipped herself upside down in my lap. I'd have take a picture but I had my hands full holding her head and rubbing her tummy. ;-)
There were no intruders they had to warn off today but they still checked a few times. And Bela seems to be working on a plan to renovate the space under the steps/deck 'just in case'. I am going to have to find the big rocks and put them in her way. I don't want the puppies to be able to get in there when they start going outside (you know, when they open their eyes and ears, it's never too early to worry.)
I think Dog Cindi is supposed to come tomorrow evening. I need her to look at B's incision (it feels like it's time to take her stitches out) and maybe we can have a weight watchers meeting. I've taken some pictures (and I did get the pictures link on the sidebar) and she'll probably take some more and maybe put them on dropbox. We need to do a little grooming on B, too.
The puppies have started attempting to nurse on my nose when I am snuggling them. It's really sweet plus it has the benefit of getting to sniff puppy breath. I guess there's enough that I can share some now so puppy breath to all!
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, March 12, 2015
March 11, 2015 Pupdate
Pretty puppies hot, pretty puppies cold, pretty puppies in the pool 9 days old. Ok, we don't really let htem get hot or cold but it's running through my head so I'll share my earworm with y'all.
Yesterday's lack of sleep in the morning may have helped me last night since I managed to sleep from 2-4 instead of doing stuff all night long. Then I went to sleep in the bed for 4.5 hours so I was pretty perky compared to the day before. And I took a little nap this afternoon.
The big dogs seem pretty content with the sleeping arrangements. I have more room if I arrange the ottoben bed beside (and touching) one of the couches because then, all 3 don't have to be completely on the ottoben bed (it is the size of a twin xl bed, not quite room enough for me AND 3 grown dogs at the same time. They find it comfortable enough, I do not)
This morning, Bela came up for a cuddle after she fed and cleaned the puppies. She's gotten cuddles in the box and on the floor but she hasn't left them to come up and cuddle with me before today. She took Jack's monkey paw (I refuse to throw it for him from the bed, I don't want slobbery toys in the bed) and held it while I petted/scratched/cuddled her. Poor Jack has never defended himself and Bela has always felt free to take his toy out of his mouth (she usually does it pretty sweetly but she will snatch it if she is in a rush to parade). Then she tries to give it back (she will also offer things to other dogs or people, she doesn't seem to understand why we don't want a piece of cardboard from her mouth.) She stayed for several minutes and when she was done, she dropped his toy on the floor and checked on the young 'uns again.
The puppies passed the day being adorable. It's a tough gig but they have 9 days experience so I think it's becoming old hat to them. They are awfully good at it. They make some funny noises but they are Water Dogs. They'll be making a lot of noises their whole lives. They are adding little barky noises to their tribble like singing, too.
They've started finding me in the box. And like their mama (and pretty much all of her family), they like to rest their heads in your hand. Wonder if they'll close their eyes (once they get their eyes) while they do it like she does.
Some strange dog approached the yard this evening. I;m not certain which of the girls noticed it first but they mounted quite a defense very quickly. Fortunately, the dog retreated quickly but the girls maintained their strategic positions for a while to make sure it didn't come back. They took turns being the one guarding the puppies and being on the front line. Eventually they settled down but I doubt it will bother coming back. I hope it finds the way back home since I didn't get to check for a collar or tag. It was headed down the driveway and I wasn't about to try to get it to come back.
I think I'm going to try to sleep some again tonight. I'll just have to resist my many many impulses to count/cuddle sleeping puppies. We'll see how that goes. For now we'll say, nighty, nighty, nighty.
Yesterday's lack of sleep in the morning may have helped me last night since I managed to sleep from 2-4 instead of doing stuff all night long. Then I went to sleep in the bed for 4.5 hours so I was pretty perky compared to the day before. And I took a little nap this afternoon.
The big dogs seem pretty content with the sleeping arrangements. I have more room if I arrange the ottoben bed beside (and touching) one of the couches because then, all 3 don't have to be completely on the ottoben bed (it is the size of a twin xl bed, not quite room enough for me AND 3 grown dogs at the same time. They find it comfortable enough, I do not)
This morning, Bela came up for a cuddle after she fed and cleaned the puppies. She's gotten cuddles in the box and on the floor but she hasn't left them to come up and cuddle with me before today. She took Jack's monkey paw (I refuse to throw it for him from the bed, I don't want slobbery toys in the bed) and held it while I petted/scratched/cuddled her. Poor Jack has never defended himself and Bela has always felt free to take his toy out of his mouth (she usually does it pretty sweetly but she will snatch it if she is in a rush to parade). Then she tries to give it back (she will also offer things to other dogs or people, she doesn't seem to understand why we don't want a piece of cardboard from her mouth.) She stayed for several minutes and when she was done, she dropped his toy on the floor and checked on the young 'uns again.
The puppies passed the day being adorable. It's a tough gig but they have 9 days experience so I think it's becoming old hat to them. They are awfully good at it. They make some funny noises but they are Water Dogs. They'll be making a lot of noises their whole lives. They are adding little barky noises to their tribble like singing, too.
They've started finding me in the box. And like their mama (and pretty much all of her family), they like to rest their heads in your hand. Wonder if they'll close their eyes (once they get their eyes) while they do it like she does.
Some strange dog approached the yard this evening. I;m not certain which of the girls noticed it first but they mounted quite a defense very quickly. Fortunately, the dog retreated quickly but the girls maintained their strategic positions for a while to make sure it didn't come back. They took turns being the one guarding the puppies and being on the front line. Eventually they settled down but I doubt it will bother coming back. I hope it finds the way back home since I didn't get to check for a collar or tag. It was headed down the driveway and I wasn't about to try to get it to come back.
I think I'm going to try to sleep some again tonight. I'll just have to resist my many many impulses to count/cuddle sleeping puppies. We'll see how that goes. For now we'll say, nighty, nighty, nighty.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March 10, 2015 Pupdate
Between watching puppies and listening to a puppy culture videos, I stayed awake way too late last night. The rain moving in didn't do wonderful things for my head either (I still get weather related headaches but the new Neuro's system for the Botox is NOT as good as the old dr. If he won't do it her way, I'll be looking for a new neurologist again) so it took a long time to get to sleep this morning. I think I may be turning into a vampire since I'm more active at night (except I love the sunshine, not that we had any today) and slog around until I liven up in the middle of the night.
I liked the videos a LOT and am reassured about all of the things that I do (and I'm really glad that I don't have lazy dams) and found a new thing or two to do. I haven't listened through the whole 12 weeks - just through the first 5 or 6 but I have time before the other ones are applicable. I will strive NOT to binge watch all of the other ones tonight.
Dog Cindi came by this evening to visit. We held a weight watchers meeting - well we tried to have a weight watchers meeting and then we realized that all of the puppies except 1 have outgrown my kitchen scale. So I got out the bathroom scale and a basket and we reconvened the meeting. 4 of the puppies are 2 lbs or over (my bathroom scale only wieghs in .2lb increments) and another one is closing in on it. The bright green collar boy is still the smallest but he is 1.75 times his birth weight too. (The other puppies are dancing around doubling their brith weights but since it's a different scale, I can't say that for certain and we know how important being accurate and presice about such things is to me.) I guess the daily collar increasing has been for a good reason.
I think the puppies may be spoiled. I know, everyone is shocked that puppies of ine would like to be handled. But they like to be snuggled and cuddled and when they are petted, they stretch and lean into it. A fussy puppy will generally settle down if I lean in and give them some kisses or put a hand on them. I was resting on the ottoben bed (not sleeping because the phone rang 3 times and the UPS man came to the door) and one of the girls was fussing so I picked her up and cuddled her in the bed with me for a few minutes. I think she has the making of a good bed dog some day ;-)
I am struggling with 'names' for the babies. There are couple that keep runinng through my head that I don't like but they seem to be stuck in there. I do kind of like the Brady Bunch kid names but that might be confusing with Cindy and Peter (Dog Cindi and her MSU Peter). There are also 6 pack names but I don't really have 6 of those that feel right yet. I can try to only use their collar colors but that never works and let's face it, I'm attached to them before they are even born so not 'naming' them doesn't help make it easier when they leave. So they'll get names as they feel right. Or they'll be like the big dogs and have multiple names all along.
Dog Cindi took some pictures and the ones I took and put them on Dropbox. The lnk in the other post shoudl work but I'll also try to put it on the sidebar, too. I just have to remember how to do things (I've just been emailing the posts into blogger this time.)
I'm going to complete our nightly ritual and hopefully nap a little by the pool. Maybe I'll be a little perkier tomorrow. Nighty, nighty, nighty
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
I liked the videos a LOT and am reassured about all of the things that I do (and I'm really glad that I don't have lazy dams) and found a new thing or two to do. I haven't listened through the whole 12 weeks - just through the first 5 or 6 but I have time before the other ones are applicable. I will strive NOT to binge watch all of the other ones tonight.
Dog Cindi came by this evening to visit. We held a weight watchers meeting - well we tried to have a weight watchers meeting and then we realized that all of the puppies except 1 have outgrown my kitchen scale. So I got out the bathroom scale and a basket and we reconvened the meeting. 4 of the puppies are 2 lbs or over (my bathroom scale only wieghs in .2lb increments) and another one is closing in on it. The bright green collar boy is still the smallest but he is 1.75 times his birth weight too. (The other puppies are dancing around doubling their brith weights but since it's a different scale, I can't say that for certain and we know how important being accurate and presice about such things is to me.) I guess the daily collar increasing has been for a good reason.
I think the puppies may be spoiled. I know, everyone is shocked that puppies of ine would like to be handled. But they like to be snuggled and cuddled and when they are petted, they stretch and lean into it. A fussy puppy will generally settle down if I lean in and give them some kisses or put a hand on them. I was resting on the ottoben bed (not sleeping because the phone rang 3 times and the UPS man came to the door) and one of the girls was fussing so I picked her up and cuddled her in the bed with me for a few minutes. I think she has the making of a good bed dog some day ;-)
I am struggling with 'names' for the babies. There are couple that keep runinng through my head that I don't like but they seem to be stuck in there. I do kind of like the Brady Bunch kid names but that might be confusing with Cindy and Peter (Dog Cindi and her MSU Peter). There are also 6 pack names but I don't really have 6 of those that feel right yet. I can try to only use their collar colors but that never works and let's face it, I'm attached to them before they are even born so not 'naming' them doesn't help make it easier when they leave. So they'll get names as they feel right. Or they'll be like the big dogs and have multiple names all along.
Dog Cindi took some pictures and the ones I took and put them on Dropbox. The lnk in the other post shoudl work but I'll also try to put it on the sidebar, too. I just have to remember how to do things (I've just been emailing the posts into blogger this time.)
I'm going to complete our nightly ritual and hopefully nap a little by the pool. Maybe I'll be a little perkier tomorrow. Nighty, nighty, nighty
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
March 9, 2015 1 week old Happy Birthday Puppies!
The pupsters are a week old today. We also forgot to wish their Dad a happy birthday yesterday. I hope he had a good one.
We didn't do anything very eventful for their birthday. At this age, uneventful is good. I like them to spend their days eating and sleeping and singing, being the little Super Troupers they are. It's possible we do a little cuddling, too. When Bela goes outside to potty, SammieDoodlebug plops herself down in front of the whelping pool. Bela spends a little more time just outside the box, too but she is always on call.
Sometimes, when I am snuggling the puppies in teh box, she will snuffle my ear and then the puppies. I try to avoid getting too many kisses from her right now but I do like to give her other options. It's not her fault her wonderful mothering requires her to lick them clean to make them potty but I still don't want her licking my face. I give her plenty of kisses and cuddles to make up for that.
The puppies are making some funny noises. They remind me of Tribbles sometimes but the MSU said this morning that Yellow woke up, surfed his way around the pool presumably looking for the bar and when he didn't encounter it, he barked. Bela was napping rihgt outside the pool and responded immediatley. She seems to understand which sounds mean something serious and which ones are just puppy sounds. Her mother and sister seem to agree with her assessments so I'll trust their opinions.
For now, we'll continue puppy yoga and general cuddling and they'll keep up with the eating and sleeping duties. I'll also increase Bela's caloric intake. She's become pretty cooperative with that. I was having the old dogs eat in their crates so that she wouldn't feel pressured. That doesn't seem necessary any more. She eats her chciken quarters pretty enthusiastically, cleans her bowl pretty quickly and this evening when her mother was being picky about eating her fish, Bela just stuck her head in the bowl under her and gobbled it up for her. Obviously none of them are resource guarders amongst each other but I'm still vigilant. Constant vigilance is my motto anyway ;-)
Dog Cindi is supposed to come over tomorrow evening so maybe we'll hae a weight watcher's meeting. They won't hold still long enough for my talking scale to get a reading. I think they are going to outgrow the kitchen one soon, too. But they seem to be healthy and happy and strong so I try not to worry overmuch when I can't do my spreadsheets daily.
We didn't do anything very eventful for their birthday. At this age, uneventful is good. I like them to spend their days eating and sleeping and singing, being the little Super Troupers they are. It's possible we do a little cuddling, too. When Bela goes outside to potty, SammieDoodlebug plops herself down in front of the whelping pool. Bela spends a little more time just outside the box, too but she is always on call.
Sometimes, when I am snuggling the puppies in teh box, she will snuffle my ear and then the puppies. I try to avoid getting too many kisses from her right now but I do like to give her other options. It's not her fault her wonderful mothering requires her to lick them clean to make them potty but I still don't want her licking my face. I give her plenty of kisses and cuddles to make up for that.
The puppies are making some funny noises. They remind me of Tribbles sometimes but the MSU said this morning that Yellow woke up, surfed his way around the pool presumably looking for the bar and when he didn't encounter it, he barked. Bela was napping rihgt outside the pool and responded immediatley. She seems to understand which sounds mean something serious and which ones are just puppy sounds. Her mother and sister seem to agree with her assessments so I'll trust their opinions.
For now, we'll continue puppy yoga and general cuddling and they'll keep up with the eating and sleeping duties. I'll also increase Bela's caloric intake. She's become pretty cooperative with that. I was having the old dogs eat in their crates so that she wouldn't feel pressured. That doesn't seem necessary any more. She eats her chciken quarters pretty enthusiastically, cleans her bowl pretty quickly and this evening when her mother was being picky about eating her fish, Bela just stuck her head in the bowl under her and gobbled it up for her. Obviously none of them are resource guarders amongst each other but I'm still vigilant. Constant vigilance is my motto anyway ;-)
Dog Cindi is supposed to come over tomorrow evening so maybe we'll hae a weight watcher's meeting. They won't hold still long enough for my talking scale to get a reading. I think they are going to outgrow the kitchen one soon, too. But they seem to be healthy and happy and strong so I try not to worry overmuch when I can't do my spreadsheets daily.
Monday, March 9, 2015
March 8, 2015 Pupdate
Last week at this time, we knew puppies were happening soon but were really hoping she/they would hold off until Monday to arrive so we could get a full night's sleep. I think Bela was the only one who got any sleep though We worried about every noise/move she made all night long. But we weren't late to the vet even with all of the stuff we had to load in the van
We've had another day full of endless games of duck, duck goose here in the rubber room. The puppies don't seem to mind it at all. There aren't many things they do seem to mnd. Occasionally one of them will fuss momentarily when I scoop them up but I keep explaining to them that if they are going to be all adorable, that's what is going to happen. By then they've stopped fussing anyway ; -)
Today the pink girl was giving a good impression of attempting to climb the wall of the pool. When I picked her up, she was a little annoyed that I thwarted her attempt but then she made a good effort at climbing up into my sleeve (I had her inside my jacket, I'm trying to find a jacket puppy since Armada outgrew that position long ago unless I find a big coat.)
Have I mentioned that they are really cute? I have? Well, you might as well get used to it because I suspect it will be a recurring theme.
It was a beautiful day here today. I still had to wear my boots to take the dogs out to potty because of the snow but I was in shorts and as long as I was in the sunshine, I wasn't cold. I WAS sleepy because during my time to sleep, the neighbors were using chainsaws. I suspect they had some trees/limbs come down with the big wet snow last week but at first, I thought the MSU was out doing it and then I thought the puppies were unattended. By the time I realized that wasn't right, I was too awake to go back to sleep. I napped some on the ottoben bed but it's not quite the same. Tomorrow is a white noise day.
I opened some of the windows for part of the day. It was nice to hear the water running off of the roof and off of the hillsides. I keep one of my talking thermometers right beside the whelping pool and check it a lot but it stayed between 69 and 72. It was daylight until after 7:30 tonight, I have hopes that in a few weeks, the weather will be cooperative for the pupsters to go outside. For now though, we are going to do out evening ritual and say nighty, ngihty nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
We've had another day full of endless games of duck, duck goose here in the rubber room. The puppies don't seem to mind it at all. There aren't many things they do seem to mnd. Occasionally one of them will fuss momentarily when I scoop them up but I keep explaining to them that if they are going to be all adorable, that's what is going to happen. By then they've stopped fussing anyway ; -)
Today the pink girl was giving a good impression of attempting to climb the wall of the pool. When I picked her up, she was a little annoyed that I thwarted her attempt but then she made a good effort at climbing up into my sleeve (I had her inside my jacket, I'm trying to find a jacket puppy since Armada outgrew that position long ago unless I find a big coat.)
Have I mentioned that they are really cute? I have? Well, you might as well get used to it because I suspect it will be a recurring theme.
It was a beautiful day here today. I still had to wear my boots to take the dogs out to potty because of the snow but I was in shorts and as long as I was in the sunshine, I wasn't cold. I WAS sleepy because during my time to sleep, the neighbors were using chainsaws. I suspect they had some trees/limbs come down with the big wet snow last week but at first, I thought the MSU was out doing it and then I thought the puppies were unattended. By the time I realized that wasn't right, I was too awake to go back to sleep. I napped some on the ottoben bed but it's not quite the same. Tomorrow is a white noise day.
I opened some of the windows for part of the day. It was nice to hear the water running off of the roof and off of the hillsides. I keep one of my talking thermometers right beside the whelping pool and check it a lot but it stayed between 69 and 72. It was daylight until after 7:30 tonight, I have hopes that in a few weeks, the weather will be cooperative for the pupsters to go outside. For now though, we are going to do out evening ritual and say nighty, ngihty nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 7, 2015
March 7, 2015 Pupdate - Spring Forward!
It seems like a long time since I wrote last night's entry. Maybe because I stayed up all night. By the time I finished the floor, I was hungry and after I ate and cuddled the puppies a little more, there wasn't much point in trying to sleep until the MSU came down to relieve me.
To clean the floor, I had to move the whelping pool to the other side of the room and then move it back after it dried. I tried leaving them in the box (they were sleeping when I put them in and they didn't wake up) but all of the girls kept putting their big ole heads in to try to check on them (I need to ditch the box now but I have to do it without any of them noticing - at least one of the three always catches me.)
Dog Cindi (Bela's other mother) and Bela's Aunt Debbie (Bela goes to her house for playdates with the Border girls while her mama goes to work) came to see the puppies and dogs today. Bela was pretty excited to see them and Indy (Uncle to these puppies) was rather interested in the puppies and then his sister B. After his shower, he was pretty wound up but Doodlebug was having NONE of that foolishness near the babies.
They did toenails (these puppies must be related to me because they were born with long nails and they grow fast) and gave their midday dose of probiotic. The puppies are already catching on that when I rub their cheek, they open their mouth/yawn. At that point we stick the paste in their mouth and they num num num it up. We held a weight watcher's meeting too. We now have over 8 lbs of puppy - no wonder I had to loosen their collars every day. We changed their collars today so I can clean the other ones but I may just discard them. They are the colored velcro and I cut them in half at first because they go around and around their necks PLUS they get dirty a lot the first couple of days, especially. I put them on the grooming table as we changed them out for clean ones and then I noticed the girls all trying to reach them. At that point I realized the problem and put them in the pool with the babies until I could stick them in my pocket right before I left the room. I THINK they are are out of smell range, if not I'm sure I will be told all about it by at least one of the 3.
We also held a photo shoot as you can probably tell from the last post.
I need to video the puppy swarm when Bela gets into the pool when the puppies are sleeping. It just seems so unexpected, it's different if they are awake and fussing for her. I guess she senses when they are about ready to wake up. She still spends most of her time in the pool even when they are sleeping but she does nap right outside it and a little on the couch today. But if they squeak much, she's right there. I'm sure that a lot of this is familiar to anyone who has read the old blog entries but I continue to be fascinated and amazed by what good dam does.
Since we lose and hour tonight (I think I'l make the new owners wait an extra hour to take them so I am not cheated), I think I'll go do puppy yoga and cuddles, serve up another meal and say nighty, nighty, nighty. Maybe I'll sleep some tonight, too.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
To clean the floor, I had to move the whelping pool to the other side of the room and then move it back after it dried. I tried leaving them in the box (they were sleeping when I put them in and they didn't wake up) but all of the girls kept putting their big ole heads in to try to check on them (I need to ditch the box now but I have to do it without any of them noticing - at least one of the three always catches me.)
Dog Cindi (Bela's other mother) and Bela's Aunt Debbie (Bela goes to her house for playdates with the Border girls while her mama goes to work) came to see the puppies and dogs today. Bela was pretty excited to see them and Indy (Uncle to these puppies) was rather interested in the puppies and then his sister B. After his shower, he was pretty wound up but Doodlebug was having NONE of that foolishness near the babies.
They did toenails (these puppies must be related to me because they were born with long nails and they grow fast) and gave their midday dose of probiotic. The puppies are already catching on that when I rub their cheek, they open their mouth/yawn. At that point we stick the paste in their mouth and they num num num it up. We held a weight watcher's meeting too. We now have over 8 lbs of puppy - no wonder I had to loosen their collars every day. We changed their collars today so I can clean the other ones but I may just discard them. They are the colored velcro and I cut them in half at first because they go around and around their necks PLUS they get dirty a lot the first couple of days, especially. I put them on the grooming table as we changed them out for clean ones and then I noticed the girls all trying to reach them. At that point I realized the problem and put them in the pool with the babies until I could stick them in my pocket right before I left the room. I THINK they are are out of smell range, if not I'm sure I will be told all about it by at least one of the 3.
We also held a photo shoot as you can probably tell from the last post.
I need to video the puppy swarm when Bela gets into the pool when the puppies are sleeping. It just seems so unexpected, it's different if they are awake and fussing for her. I guess she senses when they are about ready to wake up. She still spends most of her time in the pool even when they are sleeping but she does nap right outside it and a little on the couch today. But if they squeak much, she's right there. I'm sure that a lot of this is familiar to anyone who has read the old blog entries but I continue to be fascinated and amazed by what good dam does.
Since we lose and hour tonight (I think I'l make the new owners wait an extra hour to take them so I am not cheated), I think I'll go do puppy yoga and cuddles, serve up another meal and say nighty, nighty, nighty. Maybe I'll sleep some tonight, too.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Pictures?
We are hoping this works. If it does, here are puppy pictures from today's photo shoot. There may also be some that I took one of the days. (I have lost all sense of time) Dog Cindi assured me she took out the blurry ones, if not, well that's what happens when you look at pictures taken by a blindchick ;-)
Here's a link to "puppy photos Bela" in my Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uf728m1zop4qv8m/AABrcdhnk0dehD72WVAuAaGza?dl=0
Friday, March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015 Pupdate
March 6, 2015 Pupdate
The pupsters and I had a quiet night last night. I actually slept a little (almost 3 hours though not all at once) last night since Bela and the babies were pretty settled. I checked the temperature a few times since it was below 0 outside but it stayed 72 by the whelping pool. Much more comfortable than the 80 degrees Tuesday night.
They are getting pretty good at cuddling and don't generally fuss during puppy yoga or mani/pedis. And I find them to be remarkably mobile for sightless and deaf creatures. Bela usually goes in and flops down on the side of the pool they are not occupying. It's amazing how quickly they wake up and motor over there to begin nursing or just have a cuddle.
Bela actually ate from a bowl outisde the pool today - twice! Hope she doesnt lose her peerage since I've spilled her secret now ;-) She's also leaving the pool for a few minutes at a time more often but partly so she can 'dig to Portugal.' She can't dig in the pool so I put a few linens right outside it. She'll occasionally try to dig up my ottoben bed but stops when I tell her. She occasionally makes me nervous by looking down into the pool from there but she hasn't gone in that way. I may start moving it back a little when I am not in it.
Tomorrow, we are supposed to have a visit from their Aunt Cindi. I'm going to do puppy yoga, feed another meal and steam the floor, not necessarily in that order. Then we'll do a little cuddling and say Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
The pupsters and I had a quiet night last night. I actually slept a little (almost 3 hours though not all at once) last night since Bela and the babies were pretty settled. I checked the temperature a few times since it was below 0 outside but it stayed 72 by the whelping pool. Much more comfortable than the 80 degrees Tuesday night.
They are getting pretty good at cuddling and don't generally fuss during puppy yoga or mani/pedis. And I find them to be remarkably mobile for sightless and deaf creatures. Bela usually goes in and flops down on the side of the pool they are not occupying. It's amazing how quickly they wake up and motor over there to begin nursing or just have a cuddle.
Bela actually ate from a bowl outisde the pool today - twice! Hope she doesnt lose her peerage since I've spilled her secret now ;-) She's also leaving the pool for a few minutes at a time more often but partly so she can 'dig to Portugal.' She can't dig in the pool so I put a few linens right outside it. She'll occasionally try to dig up my ottoben bed but stops when I tell her. She occasionally makes me nervous by looking down into the pool from there but she hasn't gone in that way. I may start moving it back a little when I am not in it.
Tomorrow, we are supposed to have a visit from their Aunt Cindi. I'm going to do puppy yoga, feed another meal and steam the floor, not necessarily in that order. Then we'll do a little cuddling and say Nighty, Nighty, Nighty
Thursday, March 5, 2015
March 5, 2015 Pupdate
March 5, 2015 Pupdate
Amother morning started in the puppy pool. We have gotten a lot of snow and it's still coming down at 9;45 when I am starting this. It is a heavy, wet snow so there are trees coming down (there aren't trees big enough/near enough to the house to get us). Some of the volunteer pines at the ege of the woods are falling down though. Jill and SDB, as our department of homeland security, decided that it was a high threat level and sounded the alarm and set up a perimeter. They sounded quite fierce and B felt that she should come out of the whelpng pool to provide an inner perimeter. I got them quieted down ('thank you' and cookies works wonders) but they were still on high alert. So I expanded the perimeter and gated off their access to the last few feet of that wall of windows and they've settled down. I;m not sure who they think wold be able to get out in this stuff to get here to try to stage a puppy nappiing anyway but if someone tried, they'd be thwarted. Unfortnately, it's getting really cold tonight so not much chance of it going aay before the weekend. May not be able to get puppy visitors this weekend - especially if the tractor bucket thingy (very technical jargon there, I know
Puppies continue to fulfil their only responsibilities: eat, sleep, and be adorable. They feel like they are growing and re content most of the time so I'll not worry overmuch until I have a weight watchers meeting.
The girls are VERY funny about the box that we used to carry the puppies to the car and into the house. I finally wised up yesterday and left it on the floor. They still occasionally stick their heads in the empty box but at least they aren't climbing and jumping up trying to get to it. I put the puppies in it to switch out their linens, I get the other pool combo ready (double stacking the pools and tucking the linen between them works like a charm) but I have WAY too much help from the Aunt and the Mama's Mama while I am doing that to put the puppies the clean one and scoot it into position. They are working dogs so they are always helping ;-)
I had to loossen collars again today. I did that yesterday but a couple of them were getting tight again thsi evening. When I was cuddling them this evening, a few of them yawned for me. I didn't get any puppy breath but I don't think it will be long.
If I figure out where/how to upload the bunches of pictures I took today (I used burst mode) so someone can go through and delete the blurry ones, I'll post them. Until then, you'll just have to take my word that they are awfully cute.
Time for our nighttime routine. The Mama needs some calories to pass along to them and I need some cuddles. Nighty, nighty, nighty...
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Amother morning started in the puppy pool. We have gotten a lot of snow and it's still coming down at 9;45 when I am starting this. It is a heavy, wet snow so there are trees coming down (there aren't trees big enough/near enough to the house to get us). Some of the volunteer pines at the ege of the woods are falling down though. Jill and SDB, as our department of homeland security, decided that it was a high threat level and sounded the alarm and set up a perimeter. They sounded quite fierce and B felt that she should come out of the whelpng pool to provide an inner perimeter. I got them quieted down ('thank you' and cookies works wonders) but they were still on high alert. So I expanded the perimeter and gated off their access to the last few feet of that wall of windows and they've settled down. I;m not sure who they think wold be able to get out in this stuff to get here to try to stage a puppy nappiing anyway but if someone tried, they'd be thwarted. Unfortnately, it's getting really cold tonight so not much chance of it going aay before the weekend. May not be able to get puppy visitors this weekend - especially if the tractor bucket thingy (very technical jargon there, I know
Puppies continue to fulfil their only responsibilities: eat, sleep, and be adorable. They feel like they are growing and re content most of the time so I'll not worry overmuch until I have a weight watchers meeting.
The girls are VERY funny about the box that we used to carry the puppies to the car and into the house. I finally wised up yesterday and left it on the floor. They still occasionally stick their heads in the empty box but at least they aren't climbing and jumping up trying to get to it. I put the puppies in it to switch out their linens, I get the other pool combo ready (double stacking the pools and tucking the linen between them works like a charm) but I have WAY too much help from the Aunt and the Mama's Mama while I am doing that to put the puppies the clean one and scoot it into position. They are working dogs so they are always helping ;-)
I had to loossen collars again today. I did that yesterday but a couple of them were getting tight again thsi evening. When I was cuddling them this evening, a few of them yawned for me. I didn't get any puppy breath but I don't think it will be long.
If I figure out where/how to upload the bunches of pictures I took today (I used burst mode) so someone can go through and delete the blurry ones, I'll post them. Until then, you'll just have to take my word that they are awfully cute.
Time for our nighttime routine. The Mama needs some calories to pass along to them and I need some cuddles. Nighty, nighty, nighty...
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
March 4, 2015 Pupdate
March 4, 2015 Pupdate
These puppies are absolutely adorable! Bela is being a very good mother, too. She still scouts out potential spots in case I put her out of doors but doesn't want to give up the choice location I'm currently providing. If her mothr and sister hadn't doen the same thing, I might worry.
The puppies contine to prefer to nurse on the upper row. Since there are only 5 spots at the bar on one side and 4 on the other - and 6 puppies, they never all get their wish. They do some jockeying for position and then the ones that don't get an upper, wriggle into some pretty amusing positions on the bottom row. Usually they crawl under the siblings, parallel to Bela and nurse that way. Sometimes they hum while they nurse and sometimes they sing. They often protest rather vociferously when she cleans them up, especially if they are trying to eat (and they are almost always eating)
Their umbilical cords have fallen off, so far everything feels pretty good there. I can rub their little tummies easier now.
Since they are 3 days old, we started early neurological stimulation. Bela had just come back inside from pottying when I started and yellow was none too pleased that I interrupted his ramble back to his Mama. And Bela was a little concerned that he was unhappy. Fortunately it doesn't take long and I do it right beside the helping pool so I returned him pretty quickly. SDB and Jill also came over to make sure I was careful enough. I appear to have passed muster on this occasion. Hopefully, I can do it to suit them the rest of the days.
I did them in birth order, and cut a little piece off of each collar to make my version of a magnet board. I also had to make each collar a little larger. I haven't held a weight watcher's meeting today though. And since they all started nursing again, I didn't cut their toenails then either I need to catch them sleeping and do it. Since I have my collar board, I can do them individually now.
It has cooled down outside again - it was 65 degrees yesterday and I had to run the a/c last night because Bela and I were too hot. It's much more comfrortable in here tonight, maybe I won't take so long to get back to sleep after I do puppy checks tonight. It's about feeding time at the zoo again and then we'll have some cuddles and go nighty, nighty, nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
These puppies are absolutely adorable! Bela is being a very good mother, too. She still scouts out potential spots in case I put her out of doors but doesn't want to give up the choice location I'm currently providing. If her mothr and sister hadn't doen the same thing, I might worry.
The puppies contine to prefer to nurse on the upper row. Since there are only 5 spots at the bar on one side and 4 on the other - and 6 puppies, they never all get their wish. They do some jockeying for position and then the ones that don't get an upper, wriggle into some pretty amusing positions on the bottom row. Usually they crawl under the siblings, parallel to Bela and nurse that way. Sometimes they hum while they nurse and sometimes they sing. They often protest rather vociferously when she cleans them up, especially if they are trying to eat (and they are almost always eating)
Their umbilical cords have fallen off, so far everything feels pretty good there. I can rub their little tummies easier now.
Since they are 3 days old, we started early neurological stimulation. Bela had just come back inside from pottying when I started and yellow was none too pleased that I interrupted his ramble back to his Mama. And Bela was a little concerned that he was unhappy. Fortunately it doesn't take long and I do it right beside the helping pool so I returned him pretty quickly. SDB and Jill also came over to make sure I was careful enough. I appear to have passed muster on this occasion. Hopefully, I can do it to suit them the rest of the days.
I did them in birth order, and cut a little piece off of each collar to make my version of a magnet board. I also had to make each collar a little larger. I haven't held a weight watcher's meeting today though. And since they all started nursing again, I didn't cut their toenails then either I need to catch them sleeping and do it. Since I have my collar board, I can do them individually now.
It has cooled down outside again - it was 65 degrees yesterday and I had to run the a/c last night because Bela and I were too hot. It's much more comfrortable in here tonight, maybe I won't take so long to get back to sleep after I do puppy checks tonight. It's about feeding time at the zoo again and then we'll have some cuddles and go nighty, nighty, nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
March 3, 2015 Pupdate
March 3, 2015 Pupdate
I must say that it was a lot easier (for me) when thee MSU did night duty with the puppies. I ending up staying up until 6 something this morning with them and then got a few hours of sleep while he did puppywatch.
Bela is settling into motherhood nicely. She isn't all that thrilled with cleaning up the poop but she is doing a pretty good job of it. On the rare occasions that shse comes out of the whelping pool, she takes the opportunity to do a quick scan of the room to make sure there isn't a better location for her puppies but then she hurries back in to them. She's very careful not ot step on them, too.
She's already having the urge to dig (her Mama and SDB usually didn't hit that until day 3) so I put a rug outside the pool for her to do her digging. She is careful not to dig where the puppies are but I don't like her digging in the pool at all so that's our compromise.
She has decided that, as a princess of the blood (her mother is the queen after all) she will be taking her meals in the whelping pool until further notice. This afternoon, she suckered us into having CIndi hand feed her liver water cottage cheese omelet so I guess I m lucky she's willing to eat out of hte bowl or from the spoon. She's not being finicky about what she eats so much as WHERE and HOW. It's much more amusing to write (and probably read) about than it is to figure out exactly how she would like to be served but I don't mind. She's been doing the hard work ;-)
Jill and SammieDoodlebug have been pretty obviously securing the perimeter. I hope Bela appreciates their vigilance since they are very carefully poitioning themselves where they can guard the entrances. These are not locations they usually choose to occupy but they also check on B and the puppies (she seems quite satisfied with that arrangement but I still close the ex pen so she has some privacy with her babies. She does seem happier to go out when one of them are going in to check on the puppies. If I dont' let them, she hurries back in - sometimes aborting her trip outside - so I let them. I may be sleep deprived but I eventually figure things out.)
The pupsters wish their Great grandaddy (human - not sre whether he is their granddad or great granddad or even great great granddad or all of the above) a Happy Birthday today (although if I don't post this soon, it'll be over). As do the rest of the household, human and canine.
An for now, I am going to snuggle Bela and the puppies one more time before I cuddle up with the other 3 dogs on the ottoben bed with my hand in the pool. It's custom made furntiure - nothing but the best for our rbber room (granted it's custom made by us to be the exact right height for my arm to hang off into the puppy pool but it's exactly what I wanted.) Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
I must say that it was a lot easier (for me) when thee MSU did night duty with the puppies. I ending up staying up until 6 something this morning with them and then got a few hours of sleep while he did puppywatch.
Bela is settling into motherhood nicely. She isn't all that thrilled with cleaning up the poop but she is doing a pretty good job of it. On the rare occasions that shse comes out of the whelping pool, she takes the opportunity to do a quick scan of the room to make sure there isn't a better location for her puppies but then she hurries back in to them. She's very careful not ot step on them, too.
She's already having the urge to dig (her Mama and SDB usually didn't hit that until day 3) so I put a rug outside the pool for her to do her digging. She is careful not to dig where the puppies are but I don't like her digging in the pool at all so that's our compromise.
She has decided that, as a princess of the blood (her mother is the queen after all) she will be taking her meals in the whelping pool until further notice. This afternoon, she suckered us into having CIndi hand feed her liver water cottage cheese omelet so I guess I m lucky she's willing to eat out of hte bowl or from the spoon. She's not being finicky about what she eats so much as WHERE and HOW. It's much more amusing to write (and probably read) about than it is to figure out exactly how she would like to be served but I don't mind. She's been doing the hard work ;-)
Jill and SammieDoodlebug have been pretty obviously securing the perimeter. I hope Bela appreciates their vigilance since they are very carefully poitioning themselves where they can guard the entrances. These are not locations they usually choose to occupy but they also check on B and the puppies (she seems quite satisfied with that arrangement but I still close the ex pen so she has some privacy with her babies. She does seem happier to go out when one of them are going in to check on the puppies. If I dont' let them, she hurries back in - sometimes aborting her trip outside - so I let them. I may be sleep deprived but I eventually figure things out.)
The pupsters wish their Great grandaddy (human - not sre whether he is their granddad or great granddad or even great great granddad or all of the above) a Happy Birthday today (although if I don't post this soon, it'll be over). As do the rest of the household, human and canine.
An for now, I am going to snuggle Bela and the puppies one more time before I cuddle up with the other 3 dogs on the ottoben bed with my hand in the pool. It's custom made furntiure - nothing but the best for our rbber room (granted it's custom made by us to be the exact right height for my arm to hang off into the puppy pool but it's exactly what I wanted.) Nighty, nighty, nighty.
Cristi Fogus Wetherholt (Blindchick)
Allyn Portuguese Water Dogs - Structure,Temperament, Drive...ALL IN!
Sent from my iPad
Monday, March 2, 2015
March 2, 2015 They're here!
We have 6 new puppies! 3 girls and 3 boys and it would appear that Mojo doesn't carry brown since all of the puppies are black with some white markings.
3 weighed over a pound, another was approximately 15 oz, another 12.8 and another 11.5 I don't have the spreadsheet yet (well, I have a copy but it is handwritten so I don't have access yet) so I don't have the exact weights right now. They are pretty vigorous little pupsters so I am not worried about not knowing the exact numbe ron each puppy YET. (Anyone who has met me knows that wouldn't last for any length of time.)
Bela is figuring out the whole motherhood thing. Her Mama Jill and sister SammieDoodlebug are on hand to help if he needs it but she seems to be settling in. Her puppies already have very bad table manners though. They smack their lips and sing while they nurse but as with most things puppy do, it's pretty cute!
My day started pretty early since I didn't go back to sleep after Bela went out to potty at 3am (her temperature was dropping yesterday, her progesterone was dropping and today as 65 days from the beginning of her lh surge so it was pretty obvious it was going to be today) and then we had a long trip home - with me sitting in the floor of Cindi's minivan so I could reach the pupies so I am pretty tired. i think I'm going to go lie down on my ottobenbed with my arm in the puppy pool.
Nighty nighty nighty little ones
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