13 Days Old Eyes Open

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They can see. The first day is blurry but the eyes improve over 48 hours. It also means they can hear too. I am so excited that they can now see.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewThe duo also got their nails cut. It is time when they get caught in the blankets.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewDid you know the eyes open independent of each other? What that means is often you will see one eye open and the other one follow a day later. Although they work together like ours they do open independently.

Pups are doing really well. I expect we will now see more attempts at walking as they will be able to see where they are going not just rely on touch and smell.

Roxie Pups 12 Days Old Plus Video

These two seem to be so in sync. It's as if they are doing a dance at times.

Having had just 2 in a litter now twice perhaps this is normal. It's so interesting with eyes and ears close how they interact and you can't help noticing as there are only 2. It will be interesting when the pups get to play with each other.

Then there are times they are completely independent of each other.

One is on one side of the whelping box and the other on the opposite. But they always manage to find each other.

They were not as active as they normally are but I caught some cute moments on this video with the boy sitting upright with his belly - well you will see if you watch the video.

Due to my schedule I can't catch every moment on video tape. Wait till they are all together and I tape that. :-) It's going to be fun.

It appears at least in the video that the gal will be opening her eyes first. I can't wait.

Changes Occuring

Roxie loves to cuddle with her pups!

Her pups love to snuggle in when sleeping. they are much like their mom so far!

The gal likes the coolness of the whelping box floor.

The Roxie gal is doing pretty good at trying this walking stuff.

The male tries too as well but I managed to catch the gal in action. They are both now over a pound. They are 11.5 days old. I am now in wait for eyes open but that can happn anytime from now till 3 weeks old. Yes, we had one at 21 days decide - okay it is time. Its not an indicator of anything but its their time. But its a fun thing when they can hear and see you!

So Soft

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Does Roxie like the blanket - you bet and so do the other moms.

Click on Photo for Larger for ViewThis duo adores the softness as you can see. This pair is a riot as they truly do roll around, climb up on the pillow and get very comfie. They are now crawling quite effectively and trying to get up on their legs.

Thank you Shannon!

They are so delicious each and every one of them! Looking forward to eyes open!

Nine Days Old Now

Talk about relaxing with the kids. Roxie gets her snoozing in when they do - smart gal!I think somehow its easier with just 2.

They also like comfort. The gal just arrived at 16 ounces this morning. Let's see when Panda gets one to reach this weight.

Soon their eyes and ears will open. Meaning they will be able to see and hear. They will become sensitive to the noises and that's when we start conditioning them. We put a hand held vacuum in to clean - all the daily noises they will get accustomed to and there are enough of those here.

Roxie eats decently if I hand feed her steak tonight. Panda eats it down to nothing - Spice too. Roxie has decide that kibble is not for her. She loves the massages and the brushes. She loves strutting through the pack to say see what I have! The pack smells the moms and know. It's grand to be queen and we have 3 of them. :-)

Over A Week Old

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How did we arrive at a bit over a week? I have to admit having a new whelping a couple of days apart really gave me pause about what date - how old?

The pups are feeding rather well. Roxie not so much. She is picky so we do many things to get her to eat. She's eating enough to get good gain on the pups but I would be happier if she had more weight on her. She is a tiny gal but we did manage to get weight on her previous to this. Sometimes Daddy hand feeding works other times she says are you kidding - you can do better. Spice and Panda are eating really well.

But Roxie remains an amazing mom. I swear she looks at the others and go you have how many? I only have 2?

When the pups are 2 plus weeks I will give Roxie a bath. She doesn't have a large enough window to leave them and besides it would stress her out. I may give her a waterless bath. We shall see. I was thinking of doing that for the others too.

These pups will open their eyes first or maybe not. Seeing that Panda's are not that much older hers could open their eyes first.

I rather like both of Roxies. One is a creamy beauty and one is a tri handsome dude.

One week... wow time goes by too fast.

Grooming, Eating Etc

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Roxie just like her mom creates a challenge for Nathan the cook. She doesn't want something 2 days in a row. We are talking steak, chicken, chicken liver. Here Roxie is getting groomed. They look a mess 5 minutes later due to pups but at least they end up knot free. I do this once a day but in Panda's case she just got doen again as Lynda was visiting. But dawgs will be dawgs.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewAs you can see in a weeks time they truly grow. You look at Spices and then Roxies opposite ends of the birthdate and you can really see the difference.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewThis is Roxie - honest I brush her daily - I truly do. She's looking at me as if to say another photo?

Click on Photo for Larger ViewSoon their eyes will be open and their entire world will change. It's going to be a lot of fun to follow the changes.

Pups are doing well. They are fatties eating too well as there are only 2. No sharing here.

Getting Close to a Week

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Well we are still short of 2 days to get to a week but wow what an almost week it has been. You can see the colour in the cream one bleeding through. These pups are beautiful but hey I can't say I dislike the looks of any of them in the litters - so unique and fun!

Click on Photo for Larger ViewThis is my day: First thing in the morning when I wake up, after Dennis does the all night duty, I weigh the pups. I then change out all their bedding and start washing. I vacuum the pen areas and remake them with fresh bedding. I also hold and touch the pups to make sure they get used to human touch. We are now doing about 6 loads a day and I have a huge machine. We change out as necessary.

Then I eat. Inbetween I fit in grooming here and there, baths etc.

Each feeding I make sure all pups are on all moms. Sounds easy but it isn't. There is always someone hiding etc The first week or so I observe the feedings to make sure everyone stays on so this means I constantly go from xpen to xpen. I wish they had doors.

I also massage the moms, brush them up and clean up discharge. As they have loose bowels (normal after whelping) I am cleaning bums and blow drying many times a day. They have discharge for a few weeks. I keep this area clean.

We also feed the moms and if a pup loses weight I supplement. Note, I said I do this.

Throughout the day you are cleaning, making sure pups are feeding - about every hour and a half to 2 hours at this stage.

I fit in a shower when I can. I just finished one today. I try to eat - most times sitting in an xpen or while I do the blogs. I wish I had a portable but I don't and I can't update on the ipad or I could and leave the photos out. The guys get their showers first thing. I am too busy.

Each afternoon I do a stimulation programs with all the pups. See my file on this.

During the day you are changing out water many times a day (girls get spring water with ice), food etc. Nathan makes the food for the dogs. I groom, clean, bathe etc.

Of course hugs are necessary and outside they each go several times a day to do their business as outside does wonders for their headspace. Of course with that comes cleaning bottoms, blow drying and guess what there is another feeding.

I am sure I forgot a lot as I just do it. But the blog and photos get fit in when I can.

I do not think anyone does what I do with the day to day blogs, photos etc. I do it as that is what I would want. But it is a lot of work.

If I do not get to a blog, its cause I am doing. For instance I sat in Spice's litter and hand fed her as antibiotics upsets her tummy. I also climbed in with Panda and fed her and did the same with Roxie.

Even doing photos is a lot at this point. As they get older it gets easier then when they start eating food it gets to be a lot of work again. If you do it right its a LOT of work. WE do it right.

4 and a Half days Old

Click on Photo for Larger ViewWeight gain has slowed down - usual at this stage. They are still gaining but not gaining a huge amount. Why? They are very active so they expel energy. They are active, healthy and gaining and are often seen crawling across the xpen. It's amazing.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewI am not sure how good my updates will be as I am exhausted but all moms have had massages, brushes, pens cleaned and lots of hugs - new food, spring water with ice.

Comfort

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These pups are all about comfort in a big way and they really like these pads. I need to learn how to make my own as they are not cheap. We use them for crate pads too.

Pups are really active and can crawl across the whelping pen with no issue. Roxie remains amazing. One has to make sure you focus on her too as she wants for nothing. So they get many hugs, grooming, massages, special foods. Moms are queens and don't they know it.

This sounds crazy but between feedings we also get them outside to get fresh air and a different frame of mind. I want them to have balance. Its only a few minutes here and there but it is important. It woudl be to me.

The gal now weighs 11.85 and the boy weighs 11.30. They get close in weight then further apart and then close too. Funny how the cream one of Panda's also is a huge eater too.