Slits

We have slitty eyes so Leti's pups will have eyes open tomorrow, I bet! What are slitty eyes? A slight opening.

Leti Pups 12 Days Old

The pups are now right on track with their growth that they should be in comparing them with Leti's last litter. They are doing really well.

Here is the gallery.

I do not expect their eyes will start opening for a few days. They are after all younger. But they interact with each other despite having eyes closed. It's interesting.

The smallest is still the smallest. She will always be, I suspect looking at her structure. I can usually tell at 4 weeks.

I am finding the pups love being held. What a fun crew of 15.

Two more days and they will be 2 weeks. Really - lets get us to 3 weeks and the fun begins of play etc

11 Days Old

The pups are 3 days younger than the Stormy and Willow pups. They are also smaller. A few are on track with gains similar to the older crew and some are a bit less but not actually by much. When I look at them, I see a huge difference but 3 days can add 3 plus ounces to the total.

Here is the gallery.

Will they be able to be merged at 3 plus weeks? I believe so. Then by 4 weeks they should be one group only divided up when feeding from their moms. At this stage they will also have the introduction of food.

Be sure to watch the videos.

10 Days Old

Do you see this boy? He spends so much time trying to walk. It is bloody amazing considering he is 3 days younger than the older crew. Sometimes he is rather good at it too. I think this is pretty amazing. You go, boy!

Here is the gallery.

Leti dotes over them. She is eating better. They are finding her quite well these days. Willow still helps the odd time to top up their weights. Willow is becoming close to them too. It's interesting to watch them both mother them.

Be sure to check out the videos.

9 Days Old

Short blogs today across the board. We will do better tomorrow.

Here is the gallery.

Pups are continuing to gain well. They are lively and love under the rails to get away from the heat. Who can blame them. It gets up to 82f in this room with heatlamps and the sun.

Only 1 video added today.

8 Days Old

I put a stuffed animal in this pen. I may have to find some others and the dogs sometimes use them as pillows and other times as you can see above are all spread out. That also has to do with how warm it is or isn't. they sleep on top to stay warm, they spread out to cool down. They also go under the railings to cool down.

Here is the gallery.

Leti tends to watch her pups to make sure they are okay. She does come out of their area at times but she runs when they make noises. Interesting enough none of the moms act this way if it is not their pups so the sound of them has to be unique just like our voices are.

I am thankful that we do litters together as the moms are truly great with each other. Though as picky of an eater that Leti is (she's getting better) she is not willing to give up her food for Willow or Stormy. They are also not willing to give up their food.

Pups are doing well. I can't wait till eyes are open. Then old enough to get outside at 3.5 to 4 weeks old. So many changes in store.

Be sure to check out the videos.

I feel incredibly blessed to have the dogs in my life. Everyone is biased but my dogs are really caring beings for each other.

A Full Week Old

Here is my day, at this point. I wake up at 7am. The moms greet me. The adults go out with Nathan. Dennis has already changed and put out the waters. We put out 10 water dishes and replenish them all day. It sounds excessive but we believe in access to water always from inside to outside.

Here is the gallery.

I change the bedding. I weigh all the pups. Nathan gets breakfast ready for the dogs. Dennis goes to bed. I start the laundry. I wash the dishes after Nathan feeds. I eat my muffin and coffee and then start grooming or if I am really lucky fitting a shower in. LOL

I also make sure all pups are feeding throughout the day.

Make sure you check out the videos - coming soon tonight.

Pups are supposed to double their birth weight at 7-10 days. Leti's has accomplished this.

Leti is a happy mom!

6 Day Old Plus Individuals

1st born girl

2nd born girl - the tiniest but weighing in today at 8-3/8oz or 237grams

3rd born boy

4th born boy

5th born boy

6th born boy

All pups are doing well. We still put them on to Willow the odd time for a milk boost. Willow has too much milk and Leti being the picky eater has them gain but not as much with the boost. This helps both moms. Milk is demand and supply so they always feed on mom before Willow and infrequently.

It takes special moms to share. Willow to feed and Leti to allow. When I said I have really special moms, I meant it. It was not said lightly. These personalities are passed on to their pups.

Here is the gallery.

The pups are beautiful. Not sure what it is about girl vs. boy but it shouldn't be about gender but what pup connects with you and we won't find out that till we have the visits. We are still hopeful we can.

Be sure to check out the videos. I already uploaded the individual pup - gender - hello world one.

5 Days Old

Pups are now 6.5oz to 8 plus ounces. They are doing well. I noticed today that a couple - didn't look at all have brown pads. Brown pads, brown nose are chocolates.

One of the girls is at the bottom with the white feet. The other girl has her head over the other pup. The one with her head over the other pup is the 6.5oz.

Here is the gallery.

We had an issue with the cameras last night and this morning so I did an upclose with each litter. Take a look at the videos. If you like the one done with the ipad, let me know. I will do more.

We finally got starter mousse - thank you, Sherry. Ours got lost in delivery. Picky Leti, Nathan went to Tim Hortons and got her a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and she gobbled it all up.

4 Days Old

Each litter has their own growth pattern. Some are slow and steady and play catch up. Some are quick and level out. Leti has slow and steady plus her pups are on the small end like her.

Here is the gallery.

As you can see in the videos, all pups are healthy and active.

I did put the littlest girl on Willow for a few feedings to get her above 5 ounces. Something about 5 ounces allows then to sleep longer and that equals a boost that I feel comfie with. Last time due to slow gains we put one of Leti's on Raven. This is why it is wise to have litters at the same time close. I will not be doing it this time. I may put her on Willow the odd time but she will remain with Leti.

She is above 5 ounces now. They now range from 5.5 to 7.5 oz The boys being the heaviest.

Be sure to check out the videos.

Leti and pups are doing well. Leti and Willow are fine with all of this.