2nd With Eyes Open

Without Nathan I have to take photos on my phone, message them to Nathan and download them to post. Taking by myself is difficult but I don't want you to miss the moment. This means we now have 2 with eyes open. Let's see we have mustache and double mask. I am hopeful the rest open by tomorrow. They are waiting for Nathan. LOL Dennis is just too busy to help as we had a flood in our basement from a washer hose escaping literally. 

With the show ending tonight and Nathan not doing tear down as it seems he leaned back in a chair, fell down a hill and hurt his back, we may get the rest when the rest of the pups eyes open - that is if he is capable. What a fluke accident. It can't be too bad as he is still there. But it must have been scary.

When everyone has eyes open, I will take new photos, mark date and post them. I feel like I am letting you down but trying not to. You will still see individual photos with eyes open. I try to get them on video too. I have to get better at this. Maybe I am facing these challenges so I learn.

2 Weeks Old

Here is the gallery.

More pups have opened their eyes but I won't be putting up the individual shots till tonight as I need Nathan to hold while I click. If I can talk Dennis into it, it may be earlier.

As you can see, 1st born is on his back. Each will do that at various times but this is a position of trusting its environment. All the pups in both litters seem to be very comfortable and love to be held.

I am pleased with both sets of pups. 

They are gaining still but this will slow down once they are burning more calories with walking and play and they will start playing more soon. They become more aware of each other beyond snuggling and the interaction begins. It has already started with this crew but it will increase as their eyesight gains clarity. You see when their eyes and ears 1st open it takes time to gain clarity - usually a few days with each day improving over the last. Later today, I will create a loud noise to see if they react. That will tell me if their ears are open. I will use a vacuum or something to test this. I vacuum the area daily so this is a normal ritual for the moms but not for the pups as their hearing has been closed. Everything that they can see and hear will be new to them.

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here. 

Eyes Open

I thought I had several with eyes open but tonight while Nathan was checking, they would only open partially except this one. 

This gal is going to be interesting as that mustache will fade and become thin black hanging hair much like our late Wasabi except she only had it on one side. 

You can see the rest of her in the gallery.

I am sure you will see more tomorrow. I saw them earlier and they are on video but tonight, they said - nope - l

Almost 2 Weeks Old

Here is the gallery.

They are still refusing to open their eyes wide open but to be fair, it has happened as late as 21 days. 99.9% it happens before this though.

What I haven't figured out is how they are finding the area under the rails to practice walking. Perhaps the slits are sufficient enough that they can see to do this.

I hold them a number of times a day. Twice is with weighing but other times, it is just to kiss them up and caress them. It is my method of madness to get them used to human touch. This way when the eyes open fully, they can say ah that was what was holding me and she looks mighty friendly. It is important to condition the dogs. 

When they get to be almost 4 weeks, we will start feeding them solid food minimally and will track their bowels to know how they are handling the food. This way we know if to increase or slow down the process. Just before this and when they attempt to climb out of the whelping box, we remove the whelping box. It gives them more room and no more climb outs.

It is a fun process,

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here. 

12 Days Old

Here is the gallery.

Yes, 12 days and no eyes open still but it will come. They do all have squinty eyes which is usually an indicator of anytime now but not them. LOL Our latest puppy was almost 21 full days old before he said okay - it is time to look around.

They continue to gain. They sometimes attempt to practice walking strengthening their legs.

The pups are really amazing - both litters.

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here.

11 Days Old

Here is the gallery.

We are awaiting eyes opening. We have several with what I call squinty eyes - 2 firmly still shut so soon. I will post eyes open individual shots as they open. This way you can experience it too.

In one of the videos, there is one practicing walking with eyes closed walking under the rail. It is funny.

They continue to get plump. Their weight gain will slow down when they walk as it burns more calories. This is all normal. 

Momma and pups are eating well.

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here.

10 Days Old

Here is the gallery. I will be adding to it throughout the day.

We are officially on watch for eyes and ears opening. This is the very 1st day it will happen and the last day that we have had it happen is on day 21. That one was a real slacker. It usually happens before that time.

When their eyes open, their eyesight is blurry and it gains clarity by the hour. Their world changes as they can see mom and siblings and that human, me that holds them many many times a day. You can tell their ears are open when a loud noise occurs and they jump. It must be a 1st jarring reality. It has been quiet and what is THAT?

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here.

9 Days Old

Here is the gallery.

What is next?

1. Neonatal Stage (0 to 2 weeks): Puppies are born blind and deaf, relying entirely on their mother for warmth and nutrition. But they do have smell and touch to help navigate them to mom.
2. Transitional Stage (2 to 4 weeks): Senses begin to develop; puppies start to open their eyes and ears, and begin to stand and walk.
3. Awareness Stage (3 to 4 weeks): Puppies become more aware of their surroundings and start to interact with littermates.
4. Socialization Stage (3 to 12 weeks): Critical period for socialization; puppies learn to interact with humans and other animals.

When both sets of pups reach the socialization stage, their capabilities start to equal out when only a week apart. The younger pups learn from the older and strive to keep up and the older pups learn to be able to interact with non siblings. It actually works quite well. It is the exciting stage and then you come visit at 6 weeks.

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here.

Heading to 8 Days

Here is the gallery.

Pups are doing really well. They have had blanket changes and weigh ins. Both litters have gained.

Be sure to check out the shorts. Plus the main directory of the videos here.

It is hard to believe it is over 7 days heading to 8 days tonight. Now Nami gets to share this room with Hallie and they are both proud of their pups. It is delightful to see but expected. They are great mommas.

I feel so good about all the pups that today I have dogs to groom and will watch the pups on my ipad while I do. It is wonderful to have cameras as you can watch every moment and I can see both pens at once staying connected. Without cameras I would not be able to groom or I would have to stop and check on them frequently.

I will update as the day goes on.

Full 7 Days Old Tonight

Here is the gallery

So it looks like the Nami and Hallie pups are about 6.5 days apart. I will only put up to 7 days apart together when they are running around as the decelopment can be tricky to mesh if too far apart around 5 and 6 weeks. This makes it easier to see both when you visit.

If I am not making sense, forgive me. If I don't do laundry, do a blog, change blankets etc, I would fall dead asleep. I am drinking coffee.

Nami and Hallie had the longest labour. I thinkl Hallie took the record but they all delivered with size, lively and eating well. So both litters are in excellent shape. I would rather have that than a fast delivery.

It is 4am, and I just changed the blankets, took a video and photos. I will continue after I get up. I am hoping I get into bed at 7am but most likely it will be 730am

These pups will let mom know - it is time to eat, ma! That is perfect.

The videos will be here. Be sure to check out the shorts too I will add as I go as usual.

Nami Pups 6 Days Old Tonight Update

Here is the gallery. I will add throughout the day but we may be focused on Hallie pups. We shall see.

You can feel the weight on the pups now. They are plump and getting round. They are eating well.

Nami is now getting used to Hallie being in the room. 

 videos will be here. Be sure to check out the shorts too I will add as I go as usual.

The pups are wonderful and so is Nami!

Change of blankets have occurred. Sorry - I am fading. Pups are eating and putting up a video in a few minutes.

5 Days Old Tonight

Here is the gallery.

It was a tad cold in here so Nami being the funny mom that she is covered the pups up. We have reduced the amount of air conditioning so we will just sweat upstairs till we figure out the height of the heat lamp so we can put it back up. Nami is a smart mommy. 

I couldn't weigh till 730am as I had too much going on. All pups gained nicely. I am not going to post that they have gained daily - just take it for granted. They are getting round tummies and are visibly growing. They are doing really well.

I can't take many videos as Dennis had my phone off the charger so I am waiting for the phone to charge. It is too cumbersome to do it with the ipad but the videos will be here. Be sure to check out the shorts too. I have linked the shorts as someone wrote to ask me where they are. It says shorts on the main video page as a menu item. I will be uploading photos and videos throughout the day!

4 Full Days Old

Here is the gallery.

I will address the weight gains. They are exceedingly large gains. This only means that mom has a lot of milk. Each litter gains at different rates. It doesn't mean one is doing better than another. It only means that she has a ton of milk and is eating really well as mom needs sufficient milk for pups to gain at various amounts. Sometimes moms get upset tummies after whelping (exceedingly normal) so weight gains are less but it is not a concern. It really isn't. If a puppy is sick, you know and if mom has an upset tummy, we can always supplement. I suspect with only 3, Hallie will be the same. 

Here are the videos. Check out the main and shorts to see them all.

Youtube automatically puts them in the folders according to how big the video is. It is nothing I control. Sorry you have to look at both. 

I usually do weights at 7 days but with Hallie pending, I figured I would do it tonight. I just weighed them. I am doing them in order so look at birth photos to know which one is which.

(B)= Birth (N) weight now (G) gain since birth (24) 24 hour gain last 24 hours

1st boy black and white - could turn brown and white

(B) 5-1/8oz 146g

(N) 8oz 230g

(G) 2-7/8

(24) 1-1/8oz 34g

2nd boy sable will look like mom

(B) 5-5/8oz 161g

(N) 8-2/8oz 234g

(G) 2-5/8oz

(24) 1oz 27g

 3rd mustache gal

(B) 6-1/8oz 175g

(N) 9-7/8oz 280g

(G) 3-6/8oz

(24) 1oz 25g

4th born 2 eye patches boy

(B) 7oz 226g

(N) 10-6/8 306g

(G) 3-6/8oz

(24) 1-4/8oz 42g

5th born dark brown girl

(B) 6oz 198g

(N) 10-2/8 292g

(G) 4-2/8oz

(24) 1-3/8oz 39g

Heading to Day 4 Tonight

Here is the gallery. Photos will be added throughout the day. Also, the videos can be found here. Some are hidden in the shorts selection. Youtube does that and you may miss them if you don't look at the main directory and the shorts. It irritates me that Youtube does it this way but they do. So look in both. This morning I have 1 video uploaded and it is in the shorts. You can tell the new ones by the colour of the blankets. Makes it easier!

I weighed the pups and 2 gained over an ounce. One in 12 hours 1 in 24 hours. Guess which ones are milk hoarders. LOL Can you guess?

Pups are doing well. They are all gaining. The one that appeared black at birth as it was wet is really a deep brown with flecks of colour in the coat. It also has a white streak on its chest. It is hard to see unless you are upclose and personal. 

Do you know who are the gals? Mustache gal and the very dark brown one. The rest are boys. 

There will come a time where they won't gain as much. It goes in cycles. It used to drive me crazy. Even at times they may lose - not drastically but it is normal. Then they start gaining again. There are many factors here. One is movement. Just like us when you move you burn calories. They try to eat more and it signals to mom we need more milk. It all works.

What are the milestones we are looking forward to? The eyes and ears open. Yes, they do this at the same time. Now they have smell and touch only. They will attempt to stand and walk. Often they do this under the rails. Then at 4 weeks they will start eating starter mousse and coming out to play. 

There will be a lot of changes to be excited about - well I am.

Heading to 3 Days Tonight: Videos and Photos Added

Here is the gallery.

Pups are all gaining, active and doing well. Seems boring - same each day. LOL But really Nami is amazing. 

The videos will be added to here.

I may be slow today as I have to demat a dog and groom another and brush more out. So, bear with me. Nothing other than me being extra busy is going on. There is nothing to worry about plus we have to get a camera going for Hallie as she will have pups soon.

This blanket is the other side of the blanket Sherry made for the pups. She will be making one for Yoshi. She is amazing at what she does for the pups. Most blankets I use are created by her. She doesn't charge me - she just does them and to me and the pups, that is amazing. They have something new and soft. They can't see at this point nor hear. Everything is smell and touch. So softness is enjoyed by them. Hallie has hers too that won't be used till her pups are born and cleaned up. 

Hard to believe the pups will be 3 days old tonight.