Sunday, November 29, 2009

Eyes are opening

Well they walk now, and they can sort of see. They continue to grow well. Now when Song gets into the whelping box they swarm her, and it is hard for them all to fit with those much bigger bodies all trying to cram in for a teat. I may bring them out to the x pen in the living room for a short time today. I'll wait a few days before I take more pictures. You'll have to trust me that they are moving out of the blob stage and beginning to look like puppies.

Trimmed nails today. I can't tell you how much fun that is with puppies. I've found that wearing reading glasses a bit stronger than would be comfortable for reading helps. With a bit of magnification I can get the job done quicker, and the pups tend to be squirmy even if I get them when they were sleeping.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Pups walking

Well my life of leisure is over. Most of the pups have begun the drunken claymation staggering that begins their life of mobility. Eyes are not open yet, but they can stagger about in the whelping box. We still have fairly regular belly touches between each few steps.

They are continuing their bio-sensor sessions each day. ( http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/articles/early_neurological_stimulation_en.html ) They don't much mind this, except for the head down, spine vertical position. They squirm for that. I've learned to do this while the pups are quiet.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

No one's getting fat 'cept ...


Mama Cass. Cass was the biggest pup born, and intends to keep her lead. She's almost 2 pounds. Usually the large pups are behind the small ones as far as walking, but I've seen her lifting her hind end regularly these past couple days so she plans to keep up on that front as well.

All the pups continue to grow well. Song spends less time in the box now. Feeding sessions are longer and further apart. Arlo has grown a bit slower than the others. I may give him some private feedings, just him and Song. He's sleek and healthy, but I don't like to see one pup get that different in size. It will be hard for him to compete for a teat if he gets much smaller than his greedy siblings.

Dusty just stood up and walked today. Soon the relative peace of this house will be shattered.