1 Week Old

Raven is becoming more relaxed now. She is not fretting over the care of her pups. She is sleeping on the cool flooring when they are sleeping or laying in their with them but letting them sleep. She sleeps too now at night and during the day renewing her energy.

Here is her gallery.

The darkest brown and cream boy is the smallest in length and in weight and I do believe he will remain the smallest. Time will tell. 

Raven looks tired to me but this afternoon she looks refreshed and she is very happy. So is the Stormy. Raven spends time trying to take care of Stormy's pups and even going as far as letting them eat though I curtail that. She needs her milk for her babies. 

Can you believe the pups are a week old now?

Be sure to check out the videos.

Edging Up on 1 Week Old

Yes, they are 1 day short of a week old. How did that happen? 

Yesterday Raven wanted to feed them too much. Why is that an issue? Her milk doesn't replenish and so they are eating, eating, eating and expelling energy. Today she is letting them sleep. 

See today's gallery.

They are enjoying me holding them but I have a couple that like to wriggle in my hands and in the scale. It makes weighing interesting.

The pups are doing well. I am enjoying both litters.

Be sure to check out the videos.

5 Days Old Already!

It seems hard to believe that these pups are 5 days old. 

Here is the gallery.

They are lively and tend to move all over the whelping box at times. 

Be sure to check out the videos.

The pups have plumped up. They are also found in a pile up cuddling with each other. 

4 Days Old

The pups continue to gain and Raven is catching zzzs during the day. Dennis says she doesn't sleep at night. I guess she is waiting for me or her night and daytime hours are turned around.

Here is the gallery.

One of the pups is having a grand time on its back. It is fun to watch or maybe I am easily amused but anything they do interesting at this stage makes me oooh and ahhhhh.

Has it really been over 4 days now? 

Everyone is getting plump at various rates. The reddish brown gal seems to be gaining the most. 

Be sure to check out the videos.

3 Days Old

The pups are soon to be 3 days old starting at 2pm. They are lively. They gained the most they have in the last 12 hours. No longer do you feel the ribs on the smallest. They now all have round bellies after eating. 

I still have to wait to groom at night. Dennis sleeps days and stays up during the night. Nathan watches the older dogs and I am with the pups. When Dennis gets up Nathan takes a nap. When Nathan gets up I get to groom. This is my reality till they are a couple of weeks old. By then I get a couple of week window and then there is Ella and Cinnamon pups. Oh boy - who planned this? Stay focused - summer off. Pool time...

Here is today's gallery.

I did manage to take individual photos though cooperation was funny - maybe hysterical as they were moving targets. I need Nathan for hand shots. Maybe in a few days for both litters. I am trying...

Be sure to check out the videos.

Two Full Days Shortly

Although they do not reach a full day till 2pm on a given day I am going to start calling it so. So, the pups are 2 days old starting this afternoon.

Here is the gallery.

They are lively. They are adjusting to me holding them though they do want to get back to mom. They are gaining. Poor Raven has an issue with a top nipple where its flat and seeping out milk around the nipple vs. where it should. We are rectifying this by putting the biggest girl on this area. We have had this before and it does rectify itself. We put a larger pup on to avoid her getting impacted. Nothing to be concerned about but I woke up to the area being hard and then put the girl on and it was as if she said ahhhhh relief.

Raven still has an upset tummy just like Stormy did. Raven gets up and runs for the back yard. This too shall pass. But she is getting tired of me cleaning her back end. I know this stage is short lived so we do not worry about it. Birthing pups and the added food does create indigestion and loose stools. As the body adjusts, it all goes. I celebrate when it does as then I am not cleaning bottoms each time. Though I always use a baby wipe to keep the area clean with pups in case they crawl through to get to a nipple. I tend to like them to be clean always. Baths do not occur for 2 weeks when puppies are sleeping longer periods. But their back end is washed and dried after they have pups. 

More than you want to know but this is to say pups and mom are doing well.

Videos will be found here.

Not Yet a Full Day

Raven is tired. She is eating well. Her pups all gained. Not as much as Stormy's did but as they usually lose the 1st 24 hours, the pups are doing well. They are also quite lively. 

Dennis informed me the littlest refused to eat the last 2 feedings but then I weigh him and he gained the most. LOL He is eating today. I think he ate too much. He is a character. He lays on his back already.

Here is the gallery.

The blanket I had in the whelping box Sherry picked up for me. I was unable to get to the store so I appreciate that she was able to get it for me. I selected it as I knew it would match the pups. With Stone and her colours it made sense that she had brown pups. I guess I was right. When I can get out I will pick up a couple more.

Dennis stayed up all night going between whelping boxes to make sure all was eating. As Raven's are smaller they sleep less between than Stormy's. But they are sleeping so that means they are satisfied with their nourishment.

Mom is taking small naps now. Last night i was told she stayed up all night. She needs her rest even if its sleeping while they are feeding.

Be sure to check out the videos.

Almost 7 Hours Old

Mom and pups are doing well. All have slightly gained. Raven is eating an insane amount and is quite pleased. But each time she gets out she wants Stormy's pups too. 

I just finished grooming 3 dogs fully. I am dead. I learned I can't do that when we have pups. I need to not groom but these were boarders. I have not eaten. I have to sleep. As we have a girl in heat here Nathan is going to take all the girls and I get the boys or visa versa in different rooms. Jon has gone skiing so no one to take a few girls with the girl in heat. Dennis will be on duty and I doubt I will get to bed till after 11 as he has to shower and try to be awake.

Raven is finally sleeping while the pups nurse.

Till tomorrow!

Puppies Are Here: Gallery Added Videos Added

Click on Photo for Larger ViewFirst is a girl and appears to be a black, brown and cream. She was born at 11:02am. She weighs 6-3/4oz 181g

Click on Photo for Larger ViewSecond one was born at 11:42am and its a boy. He is a brown and cream sable. He weighs 5-7/8oz 166g

Click on Photo for Larger ViewThird is a boy. He was born at 12:14PM. He is a brown sable with a white chin. He is the smallest so far weighing in a 5-1/4oz 150g. So far all are larger than expected.

Click on Photo for Larger View4th born is a gal. She was born at 118pm. She is a brown sable and cream. She weighs 6-1/4 180g

Click on Photo for Larger View5th one born is a girl who is a  brown sable with tan cheeks.  Born at 232pm. She weighs 7oz 201g

11:02am to 232pm - 5 beauties. I am uploading the videos from start of birth till after birth. They will be found here. It will take time to get all of them up. Wish I had the time to do thsi with Stormy to this degree.

Here is the gallery.

Today is the Day

She's shivering. Her labor is starting to progress. I do believe today will be the day. Has to be as my camera battery is almost dead and is charging and I have 3 more dogs to do. Of course! Nathan stayed up with her last night and said never again. First time for him and now he knows what I go through. Not fun!

Water broke...

Check out Videos

Nesting Some and Temps

This cube with the pillow is a HUGE hit. Thank you, Sherry! Seems both moms used it for nesting. Temps are still sitting low at 98.3. Looks like a very long night. How special. hahahaha

Temp Drop

97.9 Will check it at noon but that's as low as it will get. My guess - within 24 hours.

Not Tonight

99.3 and she ate. 

Her Temps

98.1 at 930am - some digging but not much. Will take temps this afternoon but she is eating so doubtful. LOL

Raven's Set Up & Temp Update

We are ready for Raven. Now to start taking temps. At least I feel alive - tired still but alive so lets do this in a few days - ok? Vet had said 2-3 days after Stormy. We shall see.

Temps are 98.6. We shall see if it continues down.

It's 99.2 celebrating as not tonight! I need to recuperate!

Temps

We will start taking hers tomorrow. 

The Number Is

Click on Photo for Larger ViewFor Raven it is 5. We will be sending the xrays for a second opinion and posting later. I have a ton of grooming to do so hold tight. Will share later. Five is perfect for a first litter.

This xray is from my phone. I am still waiting for the official one. I checked my paperwork and Raven has gained 5 pounds but Stormy has gained 8lbs. Oh boy.

Setting It Up

We have to set up the camera tonight. The heat lamp is already there. When Stormy is done we will move the towels, the supply organizer and the hemostats, face cloths and all that stuff. Anything that is shared won't be moved over till Stormy finishes. The scale will go back and forth. I am thinking of picking up another if mine is still available. It is a food scale. It works and required as we deal with grams and ounces. 

Raven already has a ton of milk. It will be interesting to see how many pups she has. Her tummy is now tight. Pups are growing!

Xrays tomorrow.

Belly Shot

Raven is approximately a week apart from Stormy but then again it may be less. Raven has had the queasy stomach issue. Sometimes she eats. Sometimes not. I thought she had gained 5 lbs but in reality she has gained 4 lbs. We just weighed her again. She is much smaller than Stormy but Stormy is a bigger gal. She's on the low end of the standard and Stormy is on the high end. I am sure she will gain another pound before delivery if she delivers a week after Stormy.

Here is a gallery.

Friday morning she goes for her xray. We will see how many she has. She does have the start of milk coming in. 

We are excited that it times out that Sherri is dropping off Murphy on Friday so instead of coming here she will go to the vets and can be the 1st to see how many. :-) Perfect timing, I say!

XRays and Calendar

Xray appointment set for December 7th. We believe that Raven is indeed pregnant. She is getting bigger by the day and she is due a week after Stormy. We believe she is due around the 20th. It is always give or take 3 days and we only had 1 connection. This allows us to pinpoint the timing better.

Due date approx 3 weeks away

We will do tummy shots after I shave the belly.

Canine Pregnancy Calendar

Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs
Date:	Mon 26 Nov 2018
Sire:	Stone
Dam:	Raven
Breeder:	Talemaker Havanese
Thu 18 Oct 2018	Day 1 First day of mating. Sperm travel searching for a mature ripened eggs.
Fri 19 Oct 2018 - Thu 25 Oct 2018	Week 1 Fertilization occurs. 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct.
Fri 26 Oct 2018 - Thu 1 Nov 2018	Week 2 Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week. Embryo enters the uterus. Feeding small amounts of high protein supplements is good practice.
Fri 2 Nov 2018 - Wed 7 Nov 2018	Week 3 Embryos implants along uterus wall. During the next two weeks the important organs will develop. Her nipples begin to turn pink and enlarge. May loose appetite during this week. Morning sickness may occur.
Thu 8 Nov 2018 - Tue 13 Nov 2018	Week 4 Morning sickness should go away and appetite return. One of the early signs of pregnancy is for the dam to 'adopt' a toy. Development of eyes and spinal cord and faces take shape. The fur on the belly and around the nipples thins.
Wed 14 Nov 2018 - Tue 20 Nov 2018	Week 5 The doctor may be able to detect pregnancy (85% accuracy) by feeling the abdomen. Diagnosis by x-rays is usually possible after 45 days (95% accuracy for determining the number of puppies). You may be able to feel the little puppies -they would be the small bumps in the abdomen. Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws. Eyes now close and gender can be determined. The puppies are now considered fully developed miniature dogs. She may be showing. She may also gain a little weight particularly if she is going to birth more than 1-2 puppies.
Wed 21 Nov 2018 - Tue 27 Nov 2018	Week 6 During the last several weeks, your dog's nutritional needs nearly double. Feed small meals several times a day. Increase water. Enlargement of mammary glands as nipples darken and enlarge.
Wed 28 Nov 2018 - Tue 4 Dec 2018	Week 7 She may shred papers, blankets or bedding in an attempt at "nest building" in the last weeks. During the last 2 weeks, your pet may become irritable or extra sucky. Moderate exercise is the proper approach. Neither forced rest nor strenuous exercise is a good idea. Short periods of gentle play and short walks are good. You may feel the puppies now but counting them may be a bit more difficult. Definite abdominal enlargement. Abdomen hair will start shedding.
Wed 5 Dec 2018 - Tue 11 Dec 2018	Week 8 Dam begins to spend a lot more time grooming herself. Her breasts become swollen as her milk forms. Nesting begins as she looks for a place to have her puppies. Make sure you have her box or spot ready. The dam may not have as big of an appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with puppies. You can feel the puppies move now. See if you can get her used to her whelping box
Wed 12 Dec 2018 - Wed 19 Dec 2018	Week 9 Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the puppies to suck. She may express milk from her nipples. Watch for her temperature to drop. You may take it rectally if you want but she's just plain old cool to the touch compared to what she has been the last 8 weeks. She may also become restless, seek seclusion and in the last few days, soil the house. She will be 'nesting' 12-24 hours before the birth
Thu 20 Dec 2018	Expected Date of Whelp. Expected date of whelp. Average is 62 days but may take place from the 58th to the 68th day. Keep watching for that cool to the touch. If you're actually taking the temp, it does drop from 101 to 98 degrees. Appetite will disappear as whelping approaches. May see a clear discharge from the vulva. At onset of labor may pace, dig, shiver, pant and/or vomit. First fetus will be delivered within 4 hours of the onset of labor.