Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 1:37PM 
The eyes seem to have slits. The eyes open may not happen for a few days but it won't be too long.
They now find there way under the blankets to either get away from the heat or get warm.
I was stroking one of the pups and they rubbed themselves up against my hand. Now that warmed my heart.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 7:34PM 
Interesting thing to note. The 1st born has brown pads.
Pups were noisy at one point as Stormy thought each time someone came to the door she had to go announce it to me and run to the gate. I am trying to curb that.
As Stormy's pups are sleeping more she has more time to invest in checking out Raven's pups. One has to laugh. Too much time on your paws?
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 12:19PM 
Here is today's gallery. In this gallery are individual shots placed on a rug that Sherry picked up. Now only if the pups would face the right way. LOL. Next time I may have to get Nathan's help.
Be sure to check out the videos. I have a few I took with the ipad so they have voice and noise. It was so noisy here though this morning that it was frustrating having the sound on. We had dogs departing. Nathan going upstairs. The new dogs bark when he makes noise. Still we managed to get a couple with commentary.
The pups are truly trying to walk. In another week or earlier we should see eyes open and then soon after they will be outside of their whelping box. It will happen faster than you think and then you will see some personalities though they all seem to be laid back so far. They love me holding and caressing them. Stormy is rather trusting and that transfers to her pups - eyes open or not.
How did a week go by? 5 more weeks till a 6 week visit. We may not be doing it till the 26th of Janurary weekend so we can do the Ravens at the same time. But that is also when Cinnamon is due. Can be interesting. We shall see how it all unfolds.
Monday, December 17, 2018 at 11:43AM 
Pups are doing well. They are getting stronger in their crawling from here to there. Mommy Stormy dotes over them. they want for nothing.
Stormy has become really comfie in this motherhood business. She also has lost the tummy grumbling as she adjusts to a birth and having more food than usual. She is right on track.
Next milestone will be eyes and ears opening. Yes that occurs at the same time. This happens at 10 to 21 days. Yes, we had one at 21 days though that was late. Average is 2 weeks.
Once their eyes open they accelerate in everything from walking to playing.
Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 9:45AM 
How did 5 days go by so fast? These pups find mom on their own most times. They are gaining well. They are moving around. I am so looking forward to eyes open.
Here is the gallery. I did a new type of gallery. I hope you enjoy the format.
Each day when I change out the bedding I get to hold, caress and snuggle with these pups. It couldn't get better than that!
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 9:21PM 
Stormy's pups all gained very well tonight. I usually weigh them at 7am and 7pm. I missed the 7pm due to grooming so I just weighed them. They are all doing well and Stormy is very comfortable with her pups even with Raven. LOL
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 4:03PM 
I used my macro lens. Usually I don't use it. It's a lens I have had for a long time but was using my usual on Raven's litter and I like the results. I like the definition and this is without any corrections. Some of the photos in the gallery is from my macro and some from the telephoto.
Stormy's litter is wonderful. They truly trust when I hold them. I rather like that. Usually when they can't see they wriggle when you hold them so I do that daily to get them used to holding them. They didn't need any conditioning. They seem to settle in and snuggle with my hand. Be still my heart.
Be sure to check out the videos. Did not take a lot as we were busy with Raven.
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10:38AM The pups continue to do well. Dennis even napped for a bit and they all gained. He was extra tired and I told him I believe they will be fine. He will hear them if they squeak as he is right next to the pen. Usually he is not able to do this till week 2ish. I suspect that Raven's pups will start out smaller so the night of naps will be over - even if mini naps. We shall see. That's my guess as that is the usual. These pups started out of size which helps them strength wise etc.
Pups have really wonderful heads. They are pretty pups. They are vocal when they want mom and sleep when they don't. The temps inside the pen is a balmy 83f so they don't have to pile up unless they want a comfortable pillow. I am impressed with them.
Today I gave them this felt mat that has pieces sticking up so they can feel as if they have comfort surrounding them. I have to find the lady that makes them (can't remember what they are called) as I wouldn't mind having her make some the size of the whelping box. They seem to love them.
Stormy's bowels and discharge is returning to normal (fast) and she seems to be very happy. I was playing with her this morning and we were rolling all over the floor with me rubbing her up and then she would keep coming back for more. I believe moms need balance. It is so important that they enjoy and not see it as all work. We seem to be able to create a balance and the dogs love us for it. Happy moms make for happy pups.
Be sure to check out the videos. As they get older and start walking it gets even more interesting.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11:52AM I put them on this rug that Sherry got the pups and all they would do is sniff it and turn around. It was funny trying to take photos of them. I am not sure what they were sniffing.
Pups are doing well. The smallest (last born) is now 8-7/8oz and the largest (2nd born) is 12oz.
Pups are sleeping 2 to 2.5 hours between. Usually they are non stop eating. Stormy doesn't know how lucky she is. Everyone is still gaining well.
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 10:34AM 
Here is a gallery taken this morning.
Pups have all gained nicely. They are finding mom. They fuss a little here and there from fat bellies or trying to find the warmth.
Stormy is doing well. She ate too much yesterday so she had an upset tummy - quite normal as she ate the first placenta too fast for me to get it. Some let them eat all of them as it contains nutrients. We tend to not allow any as it can and does upset their tummies. This has resolved itself and it didn't stop her from eating. She was gassy and boy we could tell. LOL Today not. She has already got picky. Just kibble and chicken - no - give me that starter mousse, steak, chicken and bacon.
Here are the new videos. You can always find them here. In some you can here them eating. Yes they are slightly noisy eaters.
Order of birth gains since birth: 5/8oz; 6/8oz; 1-1/8oz; 6/8oz; 1oz
Usually pups lose the first 24 hours but it seems Stormy has plenty of milk.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 8:30PM 
Here is another gallery. If you look at the videos you will also see her relaxing on her back surrounded by her pups.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 6:30PM 
Stormy is such a proud mom. Pups are eating. They are slightly gaining and finding their way to mom.
Stormy is smart. She took naps all through the night. Each time I closed my eyes she would make sure I was wide awake. It was as if she knew I was going to nap too. I needed to but couldn't. I hope Raven is during the day and we do not do the 2 day labour thing.
Stormy when not pregnant sleeps with Jon our son 99% of the time. He is like a doting dad. It is nice to watch and she was so proud to show off her pups.
He watched the pups while I was grooming 3 dogs going home. It was the only way I could fit it in. I find the balancing and fitting everything in for a few days after delivery too stress-filled. I worry even though I can watch mom and pups on my ipad. So I am only doing grooming with dogs that are staying here.
Dennis will be doing night shift. It means I will be cleaning all the water dishes, getting coffee ready for tomorrow, cleaning up and will probably roll into bed at 11 to 1130 and I will most likely crash.
We have already done 5 loads and now have the items ready for Raven.
My eating has been ridiculous as you have no time. Nathan was going to make smoked meat but we were out of rye bread so hopefully no more pups and he will get a chance to get some. I like pups being close but I would love Raven to wait a few more days. I need her to. :-)
We shall see how it goes but for now, Stormy is an amazing mom and her pups are doing really well.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 4:48AM 
Click on Photo for Larger ViewFirst one born is a boy. He is a creamy apricot and weighs 8.5oz - 242g. He was born at 438am. It was a soundless birth. He was born on the couch and I feverishly called Nathan so he wouldn't miss but he came down to a pup already done.
Click on Photo for Larger ViewSecond one born came out breech at 459am and he is cream. Yes, another boy. He is a cream with a darker face. He weighs 9-3/4oz 278g
Click on the Photo for Larger ViewThird one born is a boy. He was born at 516am. He is dark brown with a white toe? He weighs 8.5oz 243g
Mom thus far is doing well. Considering the size of the pups she has been great - not a single noise except under her breath.
Click on Photo for Larger ViewFourth one born is brown and white and he is also a boy. He was born at 605am
Click on Photo for Larger ViewFifth one born is another boy. He is cream as well. He was born at 6:52am.
5 Pups - Born on December 11, 2018 from 438am to 652am and no issues.
Videos will be done later but will be found here. A few have been uploaded. I am off to bed seeing I have nor slept literally for 2 days then at noon I have a dog to groom. Oh my - asking if they can stay till 430 so I can get up at 3pm and groom.
Monday, December 10, 2018 at 8:55PM 
She is still nesting. Nothing is progressing. Looks like I have a long night and the guys will go to sleep. She certainly doesn't want me to leave her side.
Pups are still moving. Heartbeats are strong. She is fine. Pups are fine. It will happen when it does. She is determined to get us exhausted.
Darlah
I am staying up with her. Nathan is already in bed and soon Dennis will be going. I hope I can take short naps but it all depends on the Stormy One!
I have a dog to groom tomorrow. Oh boy....
Monday, December 10, 2018 at 3:47PM 
We are still in stage 1 so its going to be a long day/night unless something progresses.
Here she is in the whelping box.
Still no change. She's going to make sure we have no sleep. She though is taking naps. LOL
Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:04AM 
She panted all night. I am exhausted. Each time I checked her, almost nodded off she would wake me up breathing in my face literally.
She is nesting today as you can see. She is panting. Her temps are back up to 98.5.
She loves the bed that Sherry gave her. I literally have not had any sleep. I am going to try to get some this morning but we have dogs coming so... we shall see.
Stay tuned. It may be a very long day!
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 12:50PM 98.9
Realize if a true drop it will continue heading down till its low 98s. Some even drop to 97.8. Then it is 12 to 24 hours on the drop or sooner. You also look for nesting, which she is not doing.
Friday, December 7, 2018 at 8:49PM She feels I shouldn't be surprised if Stormy has her pups on the 10th. She said: Raven's pups are more developed than expected for a an October 18th breeding. She is not going to go that long. She thinks Raven may be a couple of days after Stormy.
Vet xrays replaced the iphone xrays on both Stormy and Ravens blog.
