There were 8 puppies, 6 boys and 2 girls. 1 girl was red, 2 boys were red, the other puppies were brindle. All had lots of icing giving promise of great flash in the ring. There were no mismarks or visible deformities. Overall the puppies were small. Three weighed 6.5 oz., three were in the 8.1 to 8.6 range, and Smooch and Victor weighed 9.9 and 10 oz. Leidy is a small bitch and eight puppies were a bunch for her. The biggest problem we had was that Leidy was an unenthusiastic whelper. She sort of laid around and waited for the puppies to fall out. Since her mom (Inca) and grandma (Quizzy) free-whelped their litters, I had decided to let Leidy free whelp as well. That was a huge error in judgment. She delivered seven puppies in 16 hours and the eighth puppy was expelled when we did her clean out shot in the morning.
“Reba the Red” who was first born weighed in at 6.5 oz. This morning she was up to 8.6 oz. She is the devil in disguise, is the boss of the whelping box. “Smooch”, the second born is brindle and was one of the two larger puppies. She has a kiss on the top of her head. All she wants to do is eat — she can find the lunch bar no matter where it is lying. Today she weighed 14.6 oz. Udi is a pretty red boy who weighed 8.6 at birth. He is up to 13.6 oz. as of this morning. He seems to be a natural cuddler. Finally, Victor — he weighed 10 oz. at birth, is up to 14.2 oz. and looks the most like his dad. He doesn’t like to be restrained so will require remedial handling as he grows.
They are healthy and beautiful. I am so sad that four were lost, but I should be counting my blessings that I have this little group of pretty babies. Leidy is being a good mom (now that all she has to do is lie there and make milk, and clean puppies from time to time). Having the dog door off the whelping pen is making life very easy for me — she goes out into her own pen to take a break and then comes back in refreshed. I also put a dog cot in her area (not in the whelping box itself) so as the puppies require less constant vigilance on her part, she can lie in her cot and watch over them. I love the contented humming that is coming from the puppy room and it makes me happy to say “Hello, little babies” as I walk near them or the door to their room. Next on the list is getting them a little radio which I will turn to a talk station so they are accustomed to hearing human voices all day long.
Thanks to all of you who commiserated with me as I lost puppies. There is still a hollow feeling inside. Special thanks to Carolyn who hung in there with me until after midnight Wednesday/Thursday morning and captured screen shots of the puppies from the puppy cam. If she hadn’t done that I would probably not know who was who.
Glad to hear the remaining puppies are gaining and seem to be well. The sound of content puppies is so nice to hear! Good luck with them Penni and have fun:-))
I just wish that I could have been there to help with whelping and the first few days on-site.
I feel retirement beckoning me. At least from the job that ties me down.
Penni
Please do not beat yourself up becasue you lost puppies… It has happened to many. I know that you are very sad but sometimes thing happen that you have no control over.
Somethings are just suppose to happen, and we still have no control over them happening.
Leidy is s first time MOM? I have lost puppies from first time Moms laying on them.
Thoughts and pray to you and the babies.
They are doing very well gaining nicely. Leidy is being a good mother. So count those blessing. God bless Hug a puppy for me .
The worst surely must be over, Penni, and now you can look forward to puppy-cuddling and the big puppy party in December! “Hello, little babies” from Bosque Farms. May they always make you smile!
We are so happy to hear that the puppies are doing so well. As always our thoughts are with you, as are our very best wishes.
Oh Penni, I am so sorry to hear that 4 puppies are gone. I have been there, it’s heartbreaking to lose any of them. More proof that “breeding ain’t for sissies”. Hang in there!
Hindsight–always a pain! The Fab Four look great and will do great things, I have no doubt! Big kisses all around!
Enjoy your darling little band!