Learning curve still very steep. The vet suggested that we give Belle Starr pumpkin for her digestive system that was out of sorts. Fortunately our wonderful garden had produced us some nice sugar pumpkins. So with that I baked some in the oven, (after taking out the seeds) removed the skin, and cut it up for Belle Starr. We put it in with her food and she is doing much better. In the meantime the other dogs are at my side begging for pieces of pumpkin when I'm cutting it up. So my little brain lit up and today I'm going to make an attempt to make pumpkin dog treats. We will see how this works or not... Our little bundles are really turning into a joy. They stand on those little legs and head off. Of course they have no clue where they are heading, but seem to head for the door when in the kennel. Everyday, I look at the situation and try to figure out how to make a bigger place for them to sleep. Right now half of them are in the night kennel and half in the day kennel. When they get crowded, they are just down right not happy about it. Fred picked up a small pen yesterday at Petco, (half off) that we will use to creating a bigger spot so mom has room to have them all around her at one time. So my Monday, exactly two weeks from birth will be dedicated to puppy happiness and dog treats. Happy Monday at Happy Labs Kennel
Growing...
The little bundles of fur just keep on growing. They are starting to push towards the 2 pound side on the weight scales. We are very happy about that, but have to keep creating spaces to put them so they are comfortable and mom is happy. Have to keep mommy happy. We took out her whelping box for she really didn't like being in it. Later I will use it for a warming box. Yesterday, I took the bottom from a good sized plastic dog kennel, washed with soap and bleach, lined it with good whelping pads, put the heat pad in it and made 11 little puppies happy. But I do realize that it will be too small soon. We are getting more sleep, but not like what we are use to. In time.... Those cute little bundles of joy are worth every lost wink of sleep.
7 Days Old
The babies are now 7 days old and have changed drastically. They all weigh around a pound and a half. They are sleeping longer between feedings, mommy is leaving them more often, and they are trying out their little legs. They seem to be content with their situation in life. Mom is great with all the interruptions and doesn't mind strangers coming in to visit. I'm already preparing myself for when Dec. 1st comes along and they start going to their new homes. On the other hand I'm thankful that they will be going to good homes to live out their happy lab life. I'm keeping a boy and a girl, so that will help with the separation. I will keep a little black girl for future breeding and showing, then also a white male for therapy, breeding, and showing. At a month I will put them through tests to see what each little puppy's strenghs are. That way I can place them accordingly. We always want to have a positive experience and that goes with dogs as well. Happy at Happy Labs Kennel
One Week...
It was just a week ago that Belle Starr started her journey into puppybirth. A long and grueling 30 hours. It started with temp drop, restlessness, looking for a nesting area, and being by her people. Then onto delivering the 11 babies. Here she is today feeling confident in herself as a mom, and taking good care of those little bundles. Each and every one of them. Yesterday we took great care in making sure she had some fun time so we can keep that lab tail wagging. For a first time mom, she is doing an awesome job and is tolerant of people helping her and being with her pups. Shadow still goes in and checks on them once in a while. Once yesterday he was standing by the box looking at the pups and one made a loud sound, he jumped back and the look on his face was a Canon moment without the Canon. Hilarious to watch. They now are colored coded for identification. Should look into getting bar codes.... Their weight varies from 1 pound 4 ounces to 1 pound 8 ounces. So good to see them gaining and keeping up with each other. We are really hoping that by trading groups out with mom is helping the smaller ones out. Fortunate we are retired to where we can make sure someone is helping her 24-7. I believe my husband fell asleep while on duty, but won't say anything. He has been awesome and couldn't have done a good job without him. And those pups are fine...
Visit to the Vet
I'm sure that wasn't the best experience for the little guys and gals. First off they were all in the warming box at once. Just a little crowded. The sun was bright and hot, the smell was off, and people were poking, probing, and removing things. Mom was hot and uncomfortable as well. But the checkups were good and he dew claws removed. To be honest I was scared to see the vet bill, but to our surprise it was very reasonable. We really like and appreciate Pruyn Vet Clinic in Missoula. Their weight varies from l pound 2 ounces to 1 pound 8 ounces. The creams seem to be running a little bigger than the blacks. There are 2 little boys #8 & #9 who look alike and are always together. I call them the twins. Amazing how fast they are growing. The good news is that they are sleeping for longer periods of time and we don't have to change them out so often.
