The first weeks

Well the pups are now 6 weeks old.  I have decided to start the blog now as the first couple of weeks go by in a blur, but here is a run down .......

The Joyus Day .... um ... er ..... I mean Night
Spirit started laboring late in the evening.  There was a slight temperature drop at 6pm but nothing too notable.  So here I am thinking she will actaully deliver pups the next day.  Then at 11:26pm here comes a blue boy!!!  OMG, so I am about to call Richelle (I am home with just kids!) and at 11:36pm there a black girl!! "Richelle we are having puppies!" "Um yeah, you mean right now??" "Yes!" "I am on my way!"

I swear she may have broken some speed limits as Richelle showed up before the next puppies were born.  Yep .. puppies as in 2 ... Spirit had twins.  They were born in the same sac with only one placenta.  They were blue merle girls very similarily marked.  One was not breathing at birth so Richelle worked for over an hour to get her going.  Unfortunately we lost both girls within 24 hours.  They were extremely small and I believe their lungs were not completely formed.  As hard as I tried to save them I believe that they would not have lived normal happy lives.  So letting go was a little easier.

Labor went on .... and on ..... and on.  The twins were born at 11:59pm with the next puppy stalling out labor for over an hour.  He was a HUGE blue boy born at 1:18am.  He was quickly followed by another blue boy born at 11:29am. 49 minutes later another black tri girl was born (2:18 am) and followed by our first black tri male at 2:27am.  At this point we think Spirit is done, take her out for a quick pee and clean the whelping box.  Richelle says goodbye and heads home.  At 2:56am I call saying there is a blue girl and then quickly at 3:06am the fianl puppy, another black tri boy, was born.

Spirit is a really good mom.  She is attentive to the pups and allows people she knows and trusts around her pups.  Gives others a warning but will allow them to handle her pups with supervision.  She will leave to whelping box to go do her business and cleans up her puppies like a pro!!

Week 1 - Getting to know you!!

The puppies have all (but one) doubled, and even tripled, their birth weights.  They came through the docking/dewclaw day like pros.  They motor around the whelping box looking for comfort or their momma and even attempt the "drunken sailor" walk.  I began on day three with neurological stimulation, also called the Super Puppy treatment! So besides their daily cuddle time I am subjecting them to mild stimulation, this is to help them learn to recover from stress as older pups/adults easier and is also supposed to help with their immune system.  This is the first time I have done this so we will see. 

Week 2 - Aww puppy eyes!!

All the puppies eyes are opening.  This is always a fun time, they are now seeing their littermates, their momma, their human momma and siblings for the first time.  They are also vocalizing more.  Little yips and growls.  The pups are very mobile now.  I wish I would have written more comprensive notes on my previous 2 litters.  I swear these pups are more advanced..... well next time.

Week 3 & 4 - Growing pains ..... oops I mean.... we're sooo cute!!

Our first visitors are coming.  Starting with the big fat man in a red suit.  He was super nice and cuddled us all!!  We also got to meet one of our new owners.  And gramma Richelle came with our daddy and one of her girls.  Our daily routine consists of ..... wake up, nurse, run around and bark ..... sleep, eat, nurse, run around and yip and play .... sleep .... um ok don;t watch ..... sleep ...... eat again.  Well you get the idea.  Starting to see more distinct personailties shining through the cuteness.  Have my favorites but not going to tell who!!

Week 5 - Road Trip!!

This week we went to visit our daddy and his human family.  We went for a quick van ride and met Kahlua and Leo as well as Alexus, we had already met Desitinee.  William was sleeping.  We also had our weekly  shoot.  The puppies had a blast racing around the garage (it is a clean one!! and puppy proofed) and playing with the kids.  They enjoyed their naps and then back into the crate to go home.  These babies are awesome!!  I have not heard one peep on any of their van rides or crate time.  Next week we will be seperating them from Spirit and they will be working towards being crated seperately for 15 mins.