11 Days Old: Eyes Open

We did not pose her like this but she sure is adorable! She is the 1st of the Cinnamon crew to have her eyes open. She is the 6th born. Here is the gallery. By tomorrow, we will see more. We find it is easier to feed the pups this way as they can always find a spot. That's a good thing.

Here is the gallery.

Looking at this crew, a few may open their eyes tonight or tomorrow. A few are solidly shut. We once had one boy that decided not to open his eyes till 5 days later than the rest. It can and does happen but more times than not they all just open up over a few days. The littlest one seems to have mega squinty eyes so he will be one of the 1st unless he looks and says - I think not!

Be sure to check out the videos.

10 Days Old

The littlest gained OVER an ounce in 24 hours when he was gaining about 4/8 to 6/8oz in 24 hours. Last 24 cycle was 1-2/8.

But Dennis is not happy. Cinnamon's crew you now have to make sure they are on with 1 extra spot taken up and Sage has decided unless you sit with her, she is not feeding long enough. (this changed last feeding - hooray) Personally, I think this will all settle down. It was a change for Sage. <hugs Sage> I still believe it was the right decision despite it being extra work. I prefer the right thing vs. worrying about me doing more work.

Here is the gallery.

If the littlest keeps on gaining this way, he will play catch-up to his sister who is also short in body and was little. You will see the 2 smallest cuddling in the gallery.

See what I mean about his nose pigment? It will get longer and all blend. The ears are starting to flap down.

I am working on the videos now.

New Change at 9 Days Old

We did the nails today and as I wanted a video with just Cinnamons, just Sage's and just Spirit's babies. I placed the littlest back with Cinnamon. We shall see how it goes and see if he can remain. Cinnamon seems to know. Sage has not done a feeding so may be confused when she does. She also seems to know but is okay so far with it.

Here is the gallery.

Everything is actually going well with Cinnamon's 7 and Sage's 4. We will see if little one gains and make a decision tonight if this is permanent.

The videos should be up. Or will be shortly and finished by 1pm

8 Days Old

This gal drives me nuts as she always seems to be resting when the others eat but watching her on video, she will eat when the rest do not or there is less competition. Hmm wonder what that is about. She is gaining nicely and has a tummy, as you can see.

Here is the gallery.

The pups are all doing quite nicely. Even the little one with Cinnamon and the one with Sage has gained nicely. I really can't wait till their eyes open. They have a bit of time but we start the watch a couple of days from now, Nails also need to be done soon.

Here are the videos.

One Week Old

The pups are a full week old now - how exciting to have the last crew a week old already!

Here is the gallery.

They seem to find mom or sleep or do things on their own time despite us trying to get them to eat all at once. We so try.

Here are the videos.

Can't wait till the younger set has their eyes open as it will be a whole lot of playing going on.

6 Days Old

The pups eat, sleep and start again. They all seem to be on track on almost or on target to double their birth weight at 7 to 10 days. Yes, even the little one will get there, Hooray!

Here is the gallery.

It is very easy now knowing who is who on sight. That first few days of weighing them, you must see some difference between the ones that look similar. It is why I have my notes. They also change when they dry so you can't even look at the birth photos. Silly things like the 3 sables of different degrees - no line on tummy, short line on tummy and long line on tummy. There's more but it's like a puzzle at first. Can you imagine goldens? No wonder why they put collars on them.

The littlest boy has decided he is going to try to get up on all 4 legs and try to walk. Now that is early. I may have caught it on a video or not but I will tune into it when he does it again and take a photo or video. I was surprised. Strong thing - he is! Something special about him.

Here are the videos.

Going on 5 Days

Here is the gallery.

Usually I play recovery by now but come later in the day, I get so tired then catch my wind. I think it is called juggling. I feel like Cinnamon looks before she is groomed.

Cinnamon has started stealing food. What I mean is she eats her own and then goes and eats 2 more bowls so then we have to lock 2 moms in their pens so they can have their own food to themselves. I will gladly out 3 bowls out to her but really they need to eat too. Yes, I am laughing. Minor issues - easy solution but I keep forgetting to close the pen so it is on me.

Pups are doing well.

Here are the videos.

Pups are gaining. They are lively as you can see in the videos.

Thank you to Sherry for Cinnamon's new blanket she made. I will use it tomorrow on the bedding change. It's gorgeous.

The littlest boy that is with Sage has now reached 7 ounces. I am so pleased!

4th Day

Have to say Cinnamon is a great mom and all 3 mothers have totally relaxed now. I can leave all gates open so they can wander when pups are sleeping.

Here is the gallery.

She has plenty of milk and really enjoys showing off her pups but I suspect she knows one of hers is with Sage. That's okay as it is hard enough to get 6 on never mind a small 7th. LOL

Here are the videos.

We have an upclose of all 7 pups with Nathan.

Just Some Things to Note

This photo was after she went into the mud from rain yesterday and dirtied the mat I JUST cleaned. I then brushed her out, cleaned her feet and this is what she did. Now to clean the mat yet again or shall I leave her matless?

Photos - gallery etc coming later and will be added to this blog but as my mind is tired - is there such a thing, I have to post when I think of things.

The little boy of Cinnamon's that is with Sage was barely 4 ounces. If anything the scale kept gravitating to 3-7/8oz which is small but not skinny small. We have had skinny small before and they are more challenging to gain as they do not play catch-up as easily but we - well it's usually me have had high success with them. Our Fiona used to have all 4 ounces or less. The 1st 24 to 48 hours was always difficult mentally.  It has been eons since we lost a pup but with breeding some pups are not meant to be. When they are tiny, you hold your breath and wonder but the first 48 hours is telling.

Cinnamon's boy and she has a gal that was small too, well the gal has played catch up. The boy remains the smallest. He is now 5-4/8oz and is the scrappiest boy ever.  He plows right through to get the milk. He is gaining at a similar rate as the small gal but was smaller than her. Something about the 5oz mark seems to start more weight gain. I believe the tummy is sufficient to hold nutrients grows enough to set the body on a productive weight gain. Everyone is doing really well. I wish he was still with Cinnamon but as he gets larger, I may put him back but it may be too hard for Sage who has fallen hard for him. I did this before with Cinnamon as she has larger litters and its easier on her physically. She knew perhaps with smell that it was hers so both mothers in the past mentored her pup as they were merged. It is interesting, to say the least.

One thing to note, this little boy came out with full pigment at birth. That is highly unusual but wonderful to see.

Videos going up shortly.

Cinnamon is relaxing to the crazy 2 new moms. It's as if Sage and Spirit want all the pups. Cinnamon and the 2 other moms were highly excited to see me this morning. Dennis had fallen asleep the last 2 hours so he was afraid we had losts vs. gains. Everyone across the board gained nicely. I wonder how I can stay awake literally for 2 days and he can't do 1 day.  Maybe he sat down - which is deadly to stay awake. He will sleep today till noon and perhaps he needs  a few more hours after dinner till bedtime. But the pups found their way on their own as weights are great! Thank you to the moms. That's my thought of the day - long winded. Me, I am still attempting recovery. Too old for 2 days in a row.

Here is the gallery.

By the way, I am using a lint roller to elimate hair and all sorts of things Cinnamon brings in from outside. Of course the blue makes it show up more but it is normal for moms to shed so to speak as pups create tangles etc crawling through their hair and they are feeding a great deal.

Going on 2nd Day

Everyone gained nicely including the pup with Sage.

Here is the gallery.

The pups are lively and Cinnamon is irritated by Spirit and Sage trying to gain access to her pups. They are too new for that and both are 1st time moms. All moms are great. Cinnamon is just experienced and they are learning and doing amazing. I am pleased that I have 3 great moms. You can usually tell their maternal insticts before they are bred. Both 1st timers were great with the pups before they had their own.

Now back to Cinnamon pups:

First born is a sable gal who has red overtones
Her weight is 8-6/8oz 248g

Second born is a boy and he is a brindle - See him on his back
He weighs 10oz

Third born boy with Sage is a brown sable and white
He weighs 5oz. He has gained an ounce since birth - bravo!
He is short in body and will remain smaller than siblings

Fourth born girl sable with a shorter blaze on chest
She weighs 9-4/8oz

Fifth born girl sable with a longer blaze on chest
She weighs 8-2/8oz 234g

Sixth born girl black and white
She weighs 5-7/8oz

Seventh born brindle gal
She weighs 5-4/8 oz 156g
She is short in body and will remain smaller than siblings

In a few days we will do individual photos again so you can see the changes since birth.

Mr. brindle boy is way comfie in his environment as you can see in the photo above.

I will add videos as I go. Some are up now.

Less Than 24 Hours

From messy to stunning - a mother's job is always so very hard. Here Cinnamon is less than 24 hours brushed up and happy as ever.

Here is the gallery.

We have 2 gals that almost look the same. One has a blaze on their chest longer than the others. Poor nathan who doesn't weigh the pups was going out of his mind. It is a matter of deduction when this happens. As I went to bed after 2 days of being up, nathan took on the job of weighing. He blamed the scale and everything else but it was NOT him. He simply didn't realize how close they look to each other. I always look for distinguishing marks and sometimes they are so minute that its hard to tell. I have had a lot of practice.

All is well. Everyone gained since birth in all 3 litters.

Cinnamon gets frantic when I try to weigh them so it adds to the stress of the experience.

Here are the videos.

I am still in recovery mode and look forward to bed. Dennis is on night duty as pups are doing well. Despite feeling like a truck ran over me, I am glad I stayed up and had this time with the moms. I treasure despite my own energy, the moments we share and that makes it all worth it.

Cinnamon is eating well and although she has loose bowels and discharge so washing is a regiment of many times during the day, she is attentive, happy and pacing herself. She's amazing and her pups are gorgeous. 2 spotted and the rest sables or brindles.

Mom and Pups

Mom and pups are doing well including the little one with Sage that is up 3.8 of an oz since being put on Sage. That little boy is a sable and white not a black and white.

More later. I must groom Brie before departure and then Dennis needs leep as he is on the night shift.

Feeding the Babies

if I do not make sense, I am tired. Two more hours to crawl into bed. Until then, let me try to stay awake doing the blog. Cinnamon is eating well. The pups seem to be eating, sleeping and she is loving them up.

Here is the gallery.

Pups were early. 7 beauties...

To see the gallery and videos from the birth, see the blog below.

I also put up a few videos after the birth.

Pups Are Here: Gallery Added: Videos Going Up Now

Click on Photo for a Larger View

First one born is a gal. She weighs 7-2/8oz 208g. Colour to be determined when she dries. She was born at 7:03pm

Click on Photo for Larger ViewSecond is a boy born at 715pm. Colour coming when dried. He weighs 8-1/8oz 232g

Click on Photo for Larger View3rd is a boy brown sable and white but too tiny. Not sure it will make it so I hesitate putting a photo up. We are not giving up but this sometimes happens. Just hasn't for us for years and years. It is now eating on 2 different milkstations so we are still praying... He was born at 742pm

He has his colour now and is feeding off Spirit. He seems to be doing well. Due to being tiny, he needs smaller nipples and that is not Cinnamon so we are figuring it out.

Click on Photo for Larger View4th one was born at 909pm. It is a girl that has a diamond blaze chest. She weighs 8-1/8oz 232g She seems to be perhaps a brown sable or brindle. Will clarify tomorrow.

Click on Photo for Larger View5th one born at 10pm. It is another girl. She weighs 6-7/8oz 195g

Click on Photo for Larger ViewSixth came at the same time as 5th. It had a tough time coming around but is now eating and colour is good. She weighs 5-2/8 150g. She was born at 10:02 - essentially when 5 was born.

Click on Photo for Larger ViewThis is the 7th. She appears to be black but sort of doubt she is. She does have a white chin and white feet. She weight 5oz 144g. She was born at 10:25pm

There was only 7 - sorry folks. This was an early delivery and it was a ride - so to speak. Even though I was up all last night, I am it as I am the one that pulls the puppies through. Not sure how I will do it but my focus is on the pups not on blogs but I will update you as I can.

Two boys, 5 gals and 1 little boy that is on Spirit black and white. The other boy is the black with white toes.

Nathan needs to get to bed. I will try to get videos and a gallery done. I will post here when they are up.

Here is the gallery.

Sorry I am so late on this but this whelping took the sails out of me. Stress is an understatement but it all worked out - so far - so good!

You can see the videos here.

She's Nesting

Here is the video.

Stay Tuned

Temps in the 99s and xrays at 1pm today. She ate today. Yesterday upset tummy and no eating which is norm when pups are in a crowdfest.

Vet now thinks 7 or 8. Okay - it will be a surprise. There are times they are behind another pup. It's happened to us so another wasted test as we are still guessing.

Breeder vet insists 8.

Huge and Packed In

On Thursday we do another xray to truly know what we are expecting. There is one photo that Nathan took in the gallery of Cinnamon laying on the floor. Oh boy.

Here is the gallery.

Sometimes when they are starting to run out of room, their tummy gets upset. That was her today.

Two more days and hopefully we have an idea n numbers. This was a no grooming day as I had so many others to groom. It gets this way before pups as everyone tries to get in before pups come.

How Many?

Click on XRAY for Larger View

Our vet said at least 8. From the vet: My estimated due date for her will be October 14th +/- 1 day

After Bath and Belly

Xrays are done this Friday on October 2nd. Here is the gallery for the after bath and belly shots.

Timing

Xrays on the 2nd. She is rather large. LOL