A page dedicated to the anxious puppy watchers waiting to meet their newest family members...
If I don't answer your emails right away it is because I am busy.
How can I get anything done around here surrounded by faces like this!
If I don't answer your emails right away it is because I am busy.
How can I get anything done around here surrounded by faces like this!
Trinity's Litter
This is Trinity's second litter. We have 6 lovely sable puppies. 3 Rough and 3 smooth. 4 girls and 2 boys. There was a dramatic birth with the first puppy- the large lighter rough male got stuck. Luckily our in house veterinarian was in attendance and was able to free the puppy. It was 20 anxious minutes of CPR and chest compressions before the little guy decided to breath. He came round fine and was only just passed in weight by his lump of a smooth sable sister. She is the puppy on top in the 2 puppy pile up below. I can't thank our vet enough! (He just happens to be my husband, so I am sure I'll have plenty of opportunities.) Photos are at 1.5 weeks.
Several of these puppies will be staying at Gateside (or going for a visit to Florida to grow up at our sister kennel Mandalay). Once our choices are made we will know who is available. It is likely that one of the rough males and one of the smooth females will be available.
Several of these puppies will be staying at Gateside (or going for a visit to Florida to grow up at our sister kennel Mandalay). Once our choices are made we will know who is available. It is likely that one of the rough males and one of the smooth females will be available.
Sire Riverrun Galatean Gateside Mandalay Riptide |
Sire BISS GCh Galatean A Good River Runs Through |
Sire Ch. Riverrun Lionheart |
Dam Galatean a Good Turn |
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Dam BISS Ch. Riverrun Lion's Pride |
Sire Ch. Riverrun Lionheart |
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Dam Mainstay Back of the Moon |
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Dam Ch. Mandalay Gateside Kiss for Luck CGC |
Sire Ch. Riverrun Lionheart |
Sire Ch. Fleur de Lis Secret Weapon ROM |
Dam Ch. Riverrun Lion Song |
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Dam Ch. Mandalay Rock and Roll all Night, CGC, RN, TDI |
Sire Ch. Bo-Dandy Rock Solid, ROM |
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Dam Ch. Kenley's Rising Sun |
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Tipper's Litter
Tipper originally presented us with 7 puppies. This was one of those hard litters that make even experienced breeders want to throw in the towel and buy some nice goldfish. After a long labor, some of the smaller, weaker puppies were struggling. Even with round the clock care, supplemental feedings, antibiotics and fluids we lost three puppies. We lost a fourth to a maternal accident. The remaining 3 puppies are growing well. We call them our super strong survivors and they all have families waiting to meet them. Photos at 1.5 weeks.
Week 1.5
Puppies have almost all broken the 1 pound mark. The tri rough boy is the smallest. He was the smallest surviving puppy in Tipper's litter. They can't thermoregulate, yet so a lot of time is spent adjusting heating lamps, warming pad, checking thermostats and filling humidifiers. Proximity to mom is important both to keep tiny tummies full and to keep puppies warm. Mothers are going outside for potty breaks 4 times a day, but otherwise are laying with babies. I am always amazed at their patience. Moms have shed what is left of their coats in response to hormones. It does make it easier for them to tolerate the heat lamps. A quick daily brush on their morning potty break helps keep the whelping box from turning into a dust bunny. Ears and eyes are still closed, but they are crawling faster. They are undergoing daily neuro stimulation and twice daily weight checks. They have already been exposed to gentle children. Puppies had first nail trims this week.
One of these things is not like the other...the rough tri male from Tipper's litter has joined the sable crew of Trinity's litter. He wasn't gaining weight as well as I'd like and Trinity is a very good mommy. She accepted the little guy right away and he gained 3 oz in 24 hours!
We feel that socialization is very important and start handling puppies regularly at birth. The children are allowed to start visiting with supervision, when puppies are over a week old. Tipper is such an easy going girl that she has no problem with Annelise hanging out in the whelping box and gently handling puppies. The rough sable boy is having a nap in her lap.
Week 2
Puppies now all weigh between 1.9 and 2.5lbs. They are gaining about 2oz a day. I can almost watch them grow! Eyes are beginning to open and some of the puppies have started reacting to sounds so ears are opening too. They are starting to toddle around now, but most of them still crawl. We should start to see some play type behavior this week, mouthing and squeaking. Puppies still mostly grunt (when looking for food) or squeal (if knocked over by mom getting out of the box). Tipper did not seem to be producing enough milk for even the last puppy still with her, so Trinity has graciously taken over all maternal duties. They are now one big, happy family.
Puppies are sturdier now and can thermoregulate somewhat, so the heating pad is out of the box, but the heat lamp is still in place. Trinity is eating 8+ cups of premium 20:30 food and drinking 3 pails of water a day to keep these puppies fed.
A second nail trim and first dewormings are on the schedule for this week. We finish neuro stimulation on day 16. Puppies have their first visitors (experienced puppy wranglers- one of the perks of being extended family) coming end of the week for planned socialization.
Puppies are sturdier now and can thermoregulate somewhat, so the heating pad is out of the box, but the heat lamp is still in place. Trinity is eating 8+ cups of premium 20:30 food and drinking 3 pails of water a day to keep these puppies fed.
A second nail trim and first dewormings are on the schedule for this week. We finish neuro stimulation on day 16. Puppies have their first visitors (experienced puppy wranglers- one of the perks of being extended family) coming end of the week for planned socialization.
Week 3
Puppies are between 2 and 3.5lbs. The two smaller puppies will catch up when we start solid food part way through this week. Small ridges of teeth are errupting making mom a little less excited about spending all day in the whelping box. She now has a 'get away' outside of the box for some mommy 'me time'. This week we start solid food (gruel) and get our first toy (Mr Pumpkin).
Harry Potter and Sessily were the first two into the food...these two smaller pups won't be small for long!
After eating there must always be playing...
Week 4
Puppies are now seriously into the weaning process. You can see the look on Trinity's face....she is starting to get tired of this whole thing. Nine puppies with teeth! I can't blame her. Starting with one meal a day and gradually working up to 4 meals, by the end of the week puppies are fed every five hours with Trinity spending the night and going in twice a day to nurse. Deworming again this week for both nematodes and coccidia. The whelping box came down and they were switched to a pair of linked exercise pens. Sansa (the smooth tri) would have been the first one out of the box. I don't think I've ever taken down the box prior to having escapees. These are just some easy going puppies. The puppies are enjoying having so much room to run and tumble. They all figured out how to get into their new bed within the first hour. Mid week we introduce the tippy board and litter box, don't want too much change all at once. New toys include chew rings, crinkle bones and a giggle ball. All toys that interact or make noise to help stimulate and desensitize puppies.
Week 5
Puppies are now fully weaned. They are still eating softened kibble, but we are gradually decreasing the amount of water and soaking time. Puppies are getting special alone time in the evening with family members. They have never been alone before, it is exciting to get all the attention, but also a little scary not having your brothers and sisters around. This also introduces them to big dogs that aren't mommy. This week we get microchips and first vaccines in preparation for our visit to the ophthalmologist. The tippy board was a hit. No one has reacted to it or shied away from it. The flip side was they gave the new litter a unanimous paws down. They objected to the squishy texture of the natural pine shavings. I covered it with a sheet of paper and they are gradually getting the idea. I will make the paper smaller and smaller until they are actually stepping in the horrid litter. Puppies are learning to associate the call of 'puppy puppy' with food. This will form a foundation for recall later on. First vaccines are done and we get to go outside!!!!
Week 6
Puppies are now between 7.4 and 10lbs. They are fully switched to dry kibble three times a day. They eat 13.5 cups every day! They are going outside after each meal and moving towards keeping their pen clean during the day. This week we learned about hats, sunglasses and visited with lots of strangers over Thanksgiving. Puppies heard crying babies and listened to big machines working next door on a construction project. Puppies went outside in the rain and in the dark...no shrinking violets here. Sansa is the biggest puppy by far. I think that she must secretly part Labrador. Oliver thinks shoelaces are the best, he is our intrepid adventurer. Always the first to round the next corner or climb over a rock to see what is on the other side. Fenix has figured out that if he stands quietly by my feet when the other puppies run off he'll get some extra pats. Hugo wants to face fight with my hand and loves to wrestle the other puppies. Sessily is a gardener...rearranging and pruning my plants. The small smooth girl is a chatter box. Elsa is certain that her front paws belong half way up my shin. Keeping four on the floor will be a challenge for her.
Week 7
Puppies had a great first car ride. Eye checks were all mild CRC. They were so very well behaved at the vet clinic. We are continuing going outside after every meal. Puppies all got their microchips this week. Average weight is 11lbs. We've been lucky with some mild weather and puppies got to spend two hours playing outside in the puppy yard at the kennel. It was a new and interesting experience with barking dogs they didn't know, gravel underfoot, raised beds and new toys. It was a great exposure/learning experience for them.
So who did you keep?
This was such a pretty litter it was hard to decide. For now we are growing out 4 of the puppies. Arya is staying at Gateside. Jordy (was Harry Potter) is living nearby with family. Fenix and Elsa (now called Autumn) will be catching a plane down south and growing up at Mandalay. Photos at 12.5 weeks.