tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43806030316615005772023-11-15T06:48:47.320-08:00It's All About the Dogs.....Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-2572629943121681102012-06-18T04:53:00.000-07:002012-06-18T04:53:06.530-07:00And then there were none<span style="font-size: large;">Sleeping past 6am for the first time in weeks, what a new concept. No pups yelping and playing tag in the pen. The smell of puppy poop wasn't drifting across the house. Everything was oddly quiet. Compared to the busyness of this past weekend when seven puppies went out the door, our morning routine was leisurely. Two dogs to take care of? Easy. Beginning on Friday, the babies left one by one in the midst of last minute instructions, hugs and goodbyes. Sophie got up this morning and went to check out the puppy pen. Nope, no puppies returned in the night. News so far has filled me in on the successes and challenges as these engaging little babies get to know their new families and settle in to their new lives. Their new names are already familiar to me. Nine weeks ago today the pups were born and in the intervening weeks we developed a close bond that is unlikely to change over the coming years. Though I won't see most of these little guys again, they have left us with many wonderful memories.</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-81836256377511563892012-06-10T18:01:00.003-07:002012-06-10T18:01:23.379-07:00Most Mornings...<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On most mornings, Sophie peeks in at the puppies at around 5:30am. As soon as they see their mom, they erupt in loud--very loud--and frantic barking. After a quick walk, Sophie nurses her puppies while a more substantial puppy breakfast is being prepared. Each of the puppies is eating about 1/2 cup of kibble three times a day. We've introduced various wet foods - cottage cheese, canned dog food and yogurt, and they've tried dog biscuits too. Yesterday they had their first haircuts and it was quite the assembly line. For the most part they were surprisingly willing to stand on the table for the electric clippers. They didn't exactly hold still, but that would be asking more than an eight-week old puppy can do. On the other hand, if their families introduce them early and often to brief and cheerful grooming sessions, they should be good clients at their local dog grooming salons! Tonight they're restless, squealing and growling at each other, tussling and barking. It's quite the commotion. They missed their evening outing in the pen with Clarence and have to get rid of their excess energy somehow! A week from today, the pen will be nearly empty, most puppies off to begin their lives with their new families. Eight weeks has passed incredibly quickly and it is hard to imagine that it is almost time to say a happy goodbye.</i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-23715403544007843152012-06-04T18:07:00.002-07:002012-06-04T18:09:09.549-07:00No Holds Barred<i><span style="font-size: large;">The pups celebrated their seven-week birthday with a "no holds barred" romp through the dining room this evening--a rare treat. The fun wasn't over until every pup had pooped at least once (and likely run through it) and every neat stack of newspaper, an essential piece of puppy pen equipment, was strewn around the room. At the end of our session our goal was reached: every puppy was tired out and ready for a good night's sleep. The pups are eating three times a day with the last meal around dinner time. They are good sleepers overnight and then ready for their breakfast at 6am each morning. Their primary food is kibble in increasing amounts--1/4 cup or more per pup, per meal; I mix some cottage cheese or wet dog food into the kibble and within minutes every morsel is gone. Today the pups got some new chewing bones but shortly thereafter, I noticed that Clarence was chewing one of them. "How do the older dogs get the puppy toys?" This is another mystery exceeded only by the biggest puzzle of all "How do the puppies' collars become untied overnight?" This morning Yellow Boy and Light Blue Boy needed to be sorted out. Today all of the boys are wearing double collars. I'm tempted to set up a web cam to learn which puppy has learned how to cleverly untie knots. Yesterday the puppies had their "temperament" tests; it is always interesting to observe the puppies' reactions to a series of activities in the absence of their litter mates. All of the puppies were playful, confident and sociable and one turns out to be an excellent retriever! Several loved climbing the handler's stool and most didn't mind being in a strange room with the door shut. The temperament tests--more art than science--provide some additional insights into how the puppies react to other people, unusual sounds and experiences, handling by a stranger and separation anxiety.</span></i>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-38164971039271752212012-05-26T10:27:00.000-07:002012-05-26T10:27:19.752-07:00Oh, Puppies!<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nearly six-week-old puppies take much more time than newborn puppies, that is a real fact. I have fallen behind in my blogging and replaced it with more puppy time. Not only "fun time" holding puppies and watching them play, but "clean up time" (lots of wet newspapers thrown out each day) and "chow time" - the puppies have teeth and increasingly are eating what big dogs eat. This morning Sophie got her long promised bath and an outing all on her own. I returned to give the pups their second of three meals of the day (kibble soaked briefly in goat's milk) and after lunch they tried out a few new chewy toys which help with their puppy teeth coming in. They play together whenever they are awake; yelps and cries are intermingled with the occasional "ouch, he bit me!" cries. Clarence has a new game he plays with them: he circles the outside of the pen and inside, they chase him from one end to the other, sometimes sticking their paws and tongues out of the side of the pen. This weekend we will take the pups outside so that they can experience sun and grass and outdoor noises. Looking ahead, their temperament testing is scheduled for next weekend. We will celebrate their six-week birthday on Monday!</i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-8442618949694664892012-05-13T18:27:00.003-07:002012-05-13T18:27:45.303-07:00Sophie's Mother's Day<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The pups mark their four-week-old birthday tomorrow and are walking and talking (very loudly, I might add), lapping goats' milk from a pan, exploring the new sights and textures of the puppy pen, and tumbling into and over each other. Little puppy growls erupt periodically as they "play fight" and after some moments of excited activity they often end up in one big pile in a corner of the pen, fast asleep. Occasionally, a little pup gallops and grimaces in his or her dreams. What memories could they possibly have after four short weeks? When picked up they are often affectionate, licking our hands and faces and cuddling into us or they cry--loudly and indignantly. Like having a newborn baby we are often trying to sort out exactly what each puppy is trying to tell us. After much delay, I finally screwed up my courage and tackled the hardest task to date which is to clip their tiny toenails - all 112 of them. In fact, it went better than most of my attempts last year--with the aid of a bright light and a patient husband and (surprisingly) seven relatively calm babies, it was over quickly and bloodlessly. As I check the puppies this evening, one stirs and looks at me, and gradually the others stretch and yawn. Clarence runs in to take a peek, and then runs out. The pups need their bedding changed and look surprised when I put them on the slippery floor. Sophie enjoys her evening ice cream before heading off to bed. </i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-77802598377581175422012-05-09T04:05:00.003-07:002012-05-09T04:05:23.013-07:00They're Now Three Weeks Old (and what a difference three weeks makes!)<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The puppies have changed remarkably in just three weeks. Their activity level has increased dramatically, not to mention their noise level. Yesterday, Green Boy was the first to launch himself up and over the side of the whelping box. In fact he did it twice, and didn't seem to mind it (unusual, since the sudden drop to the floor is more likely to elicit loud and frightened squawks). Time to move the pups to their new home--a puppy pen that will better contain their increased mobility. This morning upon sight of Sophie, they cried impatiently for her. She nursed them briefly and then hopped out of the box, much to their dismay. As Sophie's contact with the puppies begins to decrease, we'll supplement their feedings with goat's milk, and eventually kibble. The pups are increasingly aware of us and their surroundings. They can see and hear and have begun to notice, and even interact with, each other. According to the Monks of New Skete in </i><i><u>The Art of Raising a Puppy,</u> the next weeks begin a period of intense socialization. "By socialization we mean two things: first, the positive adjustment a puppy makes to the many aspects of her life...second, what we do to foster this." An important aspect of these socialization experiences is contact with new people and new experiences. We're lucky to have neighbors and friends who are interested in coming by to say hello, and interact with the puppies. Another frequent visitor to the puppy room is older half-brother Clarence, who at 10-months is both curious, and gentle, around these baby siblings. </i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-14266067316640391462012-04-30T17:34:00.000-07:002012-04-30T17:37:18.096-07:00Places to Go...People to See....<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Pups are two-weeks old today! Yellow Boy's eyes were the first to open yesterday and today his brothers and sisters are starting to see the world too (well what they can of it at this point). The puppies are climbing up on shaky legs and, though not quite walking, are a bit more coordinated than just a few days ago. There is more tumbling and rolling than actual forward purposeful movement, but hey, they are just two weeks old. In the next week, one brave guy or gal will venture up and over the side of the whelping box--the tumble to earth accompanied by a surprised cry. The Monks of New Skete refer to the coming week (days 13-20) as the "transitional period" because the pups' sensory capacities--seeing, hearing, walking, teething and smelling--will increase dramatically. At first the puppies do not see very well; it will be at least another few weeks before they will be able to distinguish shapes and forms. Similarly, they can't hear yet, but that will change in the next week, and considering that they live right next to the kitchen, they will very shortly become used to the sounds of water running and blenders blending. When the pups are not crowded around Sophie nursing, they are often found sleeping in clumps of two or three. They have tripled their birth weight and have definite heft. Must buy more rick rack tomorrow since they are outgrowing their collars on a regular basis. They all tolerate the handling exercises comfortably and enjoy being held close to our skin. Who can resist being nuzzled by a puppy? Not me. Sophie is comfortable leaving the whelping box for extended periods of time, sensing when she is needed and when she can take a break. Big brother Clarence has finally met the puppies up close and personal and is very curious about these squeaky, wiggly little characters. </i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-53232516346000285602012-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:002012-04-22T14:35:51.589-07:00Week One: They're Here!<i> <span style="font-size: large;">I went to bed Sunday night, April 15th, </span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>with the sure knowledge that I wouldn't sleep until morning. Sophie was already panting and restless, signs that labor would be coming soon. Her temperature had dropped below 98 degrees, another telling signal. Her due date, which I had calculated to be April 17th, was close at hand despite the fact that I had added on another day to account for "leap year." I left the hall light on to make sure that whatever sleep I managed to get would be minimal. At midnight I heard Sophie make her way out from under the bed and go into the hallway. When I opened the door for her, she ran to her whelping box and jumped in. I guess she was telling me she was ready! The rest of the night was spent in the baby nursery (aka the dining room) awaiting the arrival of the first pup - which always takes much longer than expected. After hours of panting and shaking, finally around 10:30am, Sophie's waterbag broke and the first puppy - purple girl - arrived a half hour later. Half an hour after that, baby blue boy arrived, followed every half hour or so by another puppy. Boy after boy arrived - orange, green, yellow and blue until finally little pink-and little she was--arrived at 1:35pm. People often ask whether the delivery was easy. Not knowing what Ms. Sophie would say I can't say for sure, but what I can say is that there were no surprises. With each delivery I checked to make sure the sac was off the puppy's head and if it wasn't, I removed it. Each pup was rubbed down in a towel until she or he began to squeak, cord cut, and then presented to mom, who thoroughly, meticulously, and sometimes vigorously, licked each puppy from head to tail. Soon enough every one was settled in and seven new lives begun.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As I write this post today, the pups are nearly a week old and have more or less doubled their birth weights from a starting point ranging from 5oz (little pink) to the blue and orange boys who were more than 7oz at birth. During the first few days, we made sure to position little pink strategically so that she didn't have to struggle to find her food and as she finally began to gain weight, we were able to relax. As I did last year, I slept next to mom and pups for the first few nights and again I will describe that experience as "intimate" since I can't think of another way to talk about those moments in the middle of the night when I rolled over to see mom and pups in the whelping box. The sole focus of mom is pups and the sole focus of pups is mom. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>At six days old, the puppies' eyes and ears are both closed. They locate their mom by scent, and increasingly over the first few days, they have become more coordinated and purposeful in their wobbly crawls from one end of the whelping box to wherever mom decides to be. They let mom know when they need her with a unique series of sighs, squeaks, and trills. And Sophie instinctively knows when it is OK to leave the box and join the family in the other room and when she needs to be nearby. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On their third day of life, the puppies had their first "big world" outing, traveling to the vet to have their dew claws removed. Every breeder would like to believe that this experience is harder on them than it is on the pups. The vet carefully takes his time tending to each pup and tells me that he no longer docks tails; he just doesn't feel comfortable doing so. The vet tech comments that she can't believe these are wheaten puppies and it's true--with their dark brown coloring, closed eyes, and ears pressed tightly to the sides of their heads, their identity to the uninformed, would be a complete mystery. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We've begun our early neurological stimulation exercises, exposing the pups to a slightly stressful series of handling exercises known as the "bio sensor" or "super dog" program. These exercises, recommended for pups between three days and sixteen days old, are believed to encourage greater tolerance to stress and improve the pups' health. We will also be able to observe how each puppy responds to this stimulation and begin to have a sense of their individual temperaments.</i></span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-67316833775401599542011-08-14T11:27:00.000-07:002011-08-14T14:46:02.764-07:00Last Sunday together<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><i>“Throughout history, the dog-human relationship has shown that dogs can humanize us, and this is part of the magic unleashed in adopting a puppy…Something so simple as walking the dog takes us out of ourselves and reminds us that life’s beauty beckons to be acknowledged.”</i> (from <u>Dogs and Devotion</u>). As I write this afternoon the puppies are snoozing, tired from their busy day yesterday the highlights of which included a haircut, an evaluation and the first round of puppy shots. All of us are moving a little slower today; my exhaustion is catching up with me and I am quite content gazing at them stretched out and napping on what will be our last Sunday all together. Last night as they raced through the kitchen with Sophie charging after them there was pure joy in their antics. Earlier this week, they each had their temperament “test” and it was of great interest to see them individually respond to the stimuli. While there were some small variations among each of the pups, as a group, they were friendly, playful, curious, confident, interested in the toys, and for the most part, even retrieved a “ball” for the stranger-evaluator. After evaluating each of the puppies’ structures and physical characteristics, and looking at their temperament results during this busy week, I am making some initial decisions about their homes. At least one puppy will live with me as planned all along. I’m pretty sure I know who it will be. Without a doubt, the puppies and the experience of raising them to this point has been a tremendously satisfying and unexpectedly transforming experience. For instance, for the first time, I heard today the sound that a puppy makes when he's snoring and his head is leaned into a water bowl. The puppies have helped me see the comical in poop smeared all over a toy teddy bear or the endearing in the sweet gaze of a puppy sprawled out on his back with his legs in the air. Truly I will never look at a dog in the same way again. I am thrilled to know that these amazing puppies who have spent nearly eight weeks in my home, will be adopted by the wonderful families I’ve met during these past weeks. During the next few days we will complete the remaining preparations for "adoption day" at the end of the week. </div>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-40894128833905579622011-08-07T09:52:00.000-07:002011-08-07T10:19:24.197-07:00The great outdoors<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><u>August 7, 2011</u>: The puppies at six weeks old have a comment for every situation. Walk into the room to say hello? A chorus of excited barks and cries greet you. Walk out of the room to take care of business…the same yips and barks serenade you. They eat and they play and they annoy each other. They gnaw on the sides of the pen and on each other’s legs and tails. Their play fighting is sometimes brutally fierce, but like kids they usually work things out after a brief episode. They continue to thrive in every way and are “outgrowing their pen” and so in the last week their world has expanded to introduce them to the great outdoors. Like human babies, they appear to have fussy times every evening so out they go to race around their outdoor pen, and on one occasion thus far, to test out their baby pool. So far, the bravest have leaned over the edge to take a drink, or to place one paw carefully in the water. Grass is now something to chew and eat. Airplanes flying overhead created a stir of worry the first time they heard this unfamiliar noise, but this loud sound is now an accepted part of life. If the weather is not up to an outside visit, the puppies race from one end of the kitchen to the other end of the dining room. Sophie played with them this week, chasing and batting them. Visitors to the house are greeted with excitement. After a visit of an hour or so, it’s time for a nap and then “we’re back at it.” If there is one word I would use to describe the puppies it is ACTIVE. We take many many photographs in order to have just a few good ones that are not blurry. I have a new appreciation for breeders who somehow manage to line up an entire litter of puppies and take a photo that shows every puppy looking in the same direction! (photoshop?) This week they’ll have their temperament tests. This series of activities will expand our understanding of the puppies’ personalities and reactions to new situations and help us understand what homes and lifestyles might be best suited for each of them. Seven weeks is an ideal time to conduct the tests since “EEG readings indicate that neurological development has reached adult levels, thus allowing us to obtain a true reading of their behavioral tendencies…if [the tests] are done later, between eight and ten weeks, pups will be in the fear period, making assessments of temperament subject to serious misinterpretation.” (p.76, <i>Monks</i>). While I have some thoughts about each of the puppies, I’ll be curious to learn what someone who has never met the puppies will think. While all of the puppies are affectionate and active, some will be more submissive, some will be more sociable, and some will be more sensitive and obedient than others. </div>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-9841370380947672702011-07-28T14:25:00.001-07:002011-07-28T14:28:17.634-07:00From puppy to dog...<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><u>July 28:</u> A chorus of yips and cries begins sometime between 5 and 5:30am. The puppies are up and anxious for breakfast. The morning routine is a predictable schedule: Sophie goes out for a walk and then joins the pups so they can nurse. While Sophie is not visibly impatient with the pups, she is not especially interested in spending any extra time with them, beyond what is needed to let them nurse. I shower and feed Sophie and begin heating goat milk to be added to the kibble which has been soaked and ground into manageable chunks. The pups take a turn with the kibble and Sophie happily eats up the leftovers. The pups turned five weeks two days ago and they are little dogs now! They play and cry and sleep and show affection-to each other and to me. They are alternately cuddly and squirmy and are incessantly curious about everything that comes in and out of their pen. Several bottom teeth have now appeared and when the pups were out of the pen playing during a recent evening we were “owwww-ing” our way through their play session as they bit at our ankles. The pups are increasingly focused on each other and their interactions have begun to establish a hierarchy. The <i>Monks</i> note that “puppy play is anything but frivolous. Not only does it develop muscle coordination but it also exposes the pups to spontaneous social situations they must learn to handle…Play-fighting is usually kept friendly, and, particularly early in this period, pups easily exchange roles as play-fights become highly ritualized periods of learning.” Sometimes the play-fighting leads to loud (and presumably fierce) growling. More typically they chase each other around the pen, biting tails and climbing on top of each other. After this period of intense play, each pup flops down for a nap. I try to introduce new toys to the pen every few days. Today the favorite toy was a tiny stuffed animal which Little Pink claimed as her own. Once puppies are well socialized to each other, they will enter more fully into the development of relationships with the people in their world. This period of “socialization with people” as well as increased exposure to the bigger world is a critical part of the pups’ development between five and twelve weeks of age. </div>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-12343083830900531472011-07-23T05:50:00.000-07:002011-07-23T05:52:43.546-07:00Happy Birthday - we're four weeks old!<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><u>July 23:</u> The pups turned four weeks old earlier in the week. When I sat down to write this morning they were all sleeping in one large pile, surrounded by their toys. Once they heard me at my desk they began to stir, and within minutes they are on the move--tugging on each others’ ears, tumbling and play-fighting (punctuated by fierce growls and indignant squeals), running to the side of the pen to greet me, and checking out their toys. I rearrange the bedding in their pen and they are instantly curious. Everybody arrives at the corner of the pen to observe this exciting new activity. This morning they began to explore the spaces outside of their pen. On the floor and out in the larger world, they moved in every direction, some heading for the kitchen, others behind the dining room curtains, and eventually Lime was discovered wedged into the corner of the dining room behind Sophie’s crate. I call to them and they come at a run, tails wagging. There is much interest in their toys and every few days I introduce something new. Their top teeth have been coming in during the last week and in the next few days they will have their first taste of kibble, soaked in water and ground into small chunks since their teeth are still small. After 15 minutes of exploration and much peeing on the kitchen and dining room floors, they begin to sleep where they lay so I scoop them up and return them to the pen. Some seem to have favorite areas for napping. Navy has a special corner where he is often found alone, laying on a pile of teddy bears. Little Pink has a favorite spot opposite on the fleece bed where she is often joined by a brother or sister. This morning it is Emerald whose head rests against LP’s belly. The remaining siblings are in an opposite corner, laying on the grate of the pen. This is Lime’s favorite spot, his head tucked again a small towel. Finally the fourth corner, which is covered by a small fleece pad, seems to be the spot where they most frequently relieve themselves. It's time to take some individual pictures of each of them to show how they have grown these past four weeks.</div>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-833597263130714072011-07-21T16:09:00.001-07:002011-07-21T16:09:39.367-07:00Out of the box, into the world<style>
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</style> <u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">July 17th::</span></u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> Less that a day after writing my last post, Red Boy did indeed successfully scale the wall of the whelping box only to be rudely surprised by the fall to the floor--all was well after scared shrieks were calmed.. The next day two more siblings followed over the wall and by Friday, at 23 days old, the pups were moved to their puppy pen which will be their home for the next five weeks. The pups quickly adapted to their new environment and Sophie continues to join them periodically to nurse and to visit. Their nursing periods are shorter and often Sophie nurses while standing up. Later today we will introduce them to goat's milk, to be followed soon by kibble. No teeth yet, but the hard bumps in their mouths signal that teeth will soon arrive. The pups are increasingly curious about the world around them. A noise is heard outside of the pen and everyone is alert "what's going on?" Tails are wagging and the talking continues: from musical trills and play growls as the siblings begin to play with each other to the moans and sighs that accompany their dreams. Today I noticed for the first time that one of the puppies began to investigate a toy in the pen. During these next weeks, their socialization experiences are critical to the development of their curiosity and confidence. <br />
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</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-55305878962871911482011-07-21T16:08:00.002-07:002011-07-21T16:08:57.918-07:00Sharp toenails and new challenges<u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">July 11th</span></u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">: At the time it seemed like an idea with potential. Sneak up on the puppies while they are sleeping and gently, oh so gently, slide the toenail clippers up to the tiniest toenails you have every seen and snip just a teeny bit of that sharp little claw. Oh what a good idea - not! I am not sure who is more traumatized-me, poor Navy who was the first of my "experiments" or Sophie who seemed very concerned about the anxious, high pitched crying coming from her previously happy and well adjusted brood. I am relieved to report that Navy doesn't seem to have suffered any permanent damage-though I have yet to finish the task. Despite the dangers now associated with grandma and her toenail clippers, the puppies have had an amazing week. Their eyes are open and they are walking and "talking" (noisily and persistently) and attempting to scale the sides of the whelping box. In a matter of days when I look in the box I expect to see five puppies; Red Boy, who seems to be the most adventurous, will be somewhere else. As I write tonight, the puppies are drowsy after a good meal. Sophie eats her nightly bowl of ice cream and then lays near by. Red's head rests on Lim;e's shoulder. Emerald and Navy are lying nose to nose. O-Girl and Little Pink are off on their own, tucked under the ledge of the whelping box. Asleep and awake they make the most amazing sounds. Asleep they groan and stretch and yip and flail the air with their tiny paws. Awake they coo and cry and grumble and squeal When we approach the whelping box they stir and respond to our presence. We continue to handle them regularly, flipping them on their backs (a mildly stressful experience) and then cuddling and calming them. They nuzzle our hands and each other and are increasingly intent on exploring the world.</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-91738514057539696432011-07-21T16:08:00.000-07:002011-07-21T16:08:08.148-07:00What do they see?<style>
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<u>July 5th</u>: 12 days after birth the first tiny slits appear as puppies' eyes begin to open. A day later, and all are in various stages with Red's eyes mostly open and Navy's eyes still mostly closed. Even as their eyes open, their vision will be poor for some time. "The Monks" refer to this next week of life as "transitional" signifying a "gradual transformation...from the newborn stage to the fully social existence of an adult." During this next week, the puppies will begin to hear, will walk more purposefully (they're still staggering around, frequently tumbling and rolling over), will eliminate by themselves (already evident) and will become aware of each other as social beings. Lime walked awkwardly around the whelping box this evening, trilling and squealing, repeatedly turning in circles and bumping his head against the ledge of the box. Already I am checking to see that no puppy has yet managed to crawl out of the box, though that will happen soon enough! The puppies' coats are noticeably lightening and Little Pink, Navy and Green's faces are an interesting combination of light and dark colors. </span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-54335151845665535602011-07-21T16:06:00.001-07:002011-07-21T16:06:28.734-07:00Learning about the world....<style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> <u> July 3rd:</u> While the pups are still blind they will soon begin the process of opening their eyes. Alexandra Horowitz, in her book "Inside a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know," notes that "as we <u>see</u> the world, the dog <u>smells</u> it." This is particularly evident watching the puppies find each other and their mother in the whelping box. When we pick the puppies up, we cuddle them against us so that they can get to know us by the way we smell. Their sounds, literally, still fall on deaf ears but soon, when their eyes open, their ears will begin to open up as well. Some sounds, like squeals and yelps are high pitched and seem to occur when a puppy isn't sure where she is, the so-called "come find me" cries. Other sounds according to Horowitz might simply be utterances without specific meaning, and are used instead to see how others respond. Still other sounds--like a low pitched moan--are likened to a kind of dog purr. Right now Emerald is making a plaintive little cry, crawling in circles, just barely lifting herself onto her legs to stand briefly. She eventually tucks in next to Red but is still complaining. The other pups are mostly silent. Lime lies on top of Red with Navy and O-Girl lined up head to toe. All of a sudden, Lime makes a move, crawling between Navy and O-Girl. The entire configuration of puppies realigns itself and everyone goes back to sleep. While much of their time is still spent sleeping, I've noticed more yawning and stretching as pups move between wake and sleep states. The first poop begins to appear in the whelping box, something new for the pups to unknowingly crawl in. Up until now, Sophie kept them clean and helped with their bathroom functions. Mom rests nearby but is comfortable spending longer periods of time outside of the whelping box and enjoys her own walks rather than the brief out and in trips she made when the pups were first born. <br />
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</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-19969953111680130292011-07-21T16:05:00.000-07:002011-07-21T16:05:41.467-07:00Squeaks and squeals<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">June 28th</span></u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">: <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">I woke this morning to a chorus of squeaks and sq</span><span style="font-family: Times;">ueals. The pups are up and busy scooting around the whelping box. I'm beginning to notice them trying to stand up on their shaky legs, fat bellies toppling them over after every few attempts. Nevertheless, when they are determined to get somewhere, they eventually do. Red boy would not stay still for his picture last night and kept turning to go toward a corner of the whelping box--where? only he knows for sure.. They still move by scooting, using front or back legs to slide themselves determinedly from one place to another. Last night when I came out to check on everybody around 1::30, Sophie was stretched out on her back, a few pups working hard to climb her belly which must have felt like a small mountain. I can't tell the contented squeaks fromthe hungry squeaks but the "mom sat on me" squeals are definitely notable as are the indignant squeals signifying a meal rudely interrrupted. Every now and again a primitive "bark" emerges. Sophie recognizes that not all sounds are equally urgent and sometimes takes her time to trot over and assess the situation.. This morning we weighed lime boy and I thought something was wrong with the scale until I raalized that he is the first pup to top a pound.. Navy lost his collar for the third time in a day and all I could imagine is that his prankster siblings wait until he falls asleep and then untie it when he can't defend himself. Little Pink stands out in the litter as the puppy with the lightest coat.. Green girl's "french tip" nails offer an interesting contrast to her dark coat. We handle the pups as often as we can, making a point of stroking their bodies and tummies, blowing softly in their faces and rubbing them against our skin. All of the pups settle readily into these handling routines and seem to enjoy them, as do we.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-34582683545242693352011-07-21T16:03:00.001-07:002011-07-21T16:03:26.249-07:00Puppies are two days old<style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <u>June 24th:</u> There is something sweetly intimate about sleeping next to mom and puppies. Though the inflatable mattress, 24-hour warming light, sweltering heat needed to keep the puppies extra warm, and periodic squeaking of six puppies doesn't allow for much uninterrupted sleep, this time gives me a chance to quietly observe the interactions between Sophie and her puppies. I have to admit I haven't given much thought to what puppies are like when they are just a few days old. The pups' behaviors at this point are pure reflex--they are attracted to warmth, and scent and are motivated to find mom when they are hungry and heat when they are cold. Observing mom's behavior makes very clear the role of instinct.. Sophie licks the puppies constantly--to draw them closer to her, to clean them and help them eliminate, and probably for other reasons of which I am not aware. She leaves the whelping box only briefly, mostly to see what we are cooking in the kitchen and runs back quickly as soon as she hears the sound of a complaining baby. During these first few days, most of our energy has been spent catching up on sleep (yes, I did find the half and half in the cupboard rather than the refrigerator today), trying to learn how to balance the work for my paid job with the ga-ga desire to watch the puppies crawl, fall over, crawl, fall over (problem solved, my desk is next to the whelping box), and trying to resist my inclination to interfere (the <i><u>human</u></i><u> </u>helicopter mom I guess) when Sophie is sitting on a puppy and it is cryng pitifully. It's time to begin watching the puppies to get a sense of their individual temperaments. The vet thought that orange girl was especially vocal and sensitive when she was handled today. How does green girl respond when handled? What is little navy blue boy like when separated from mom? Those are observations yet to be made.<br />
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</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380603031661500577.post-37474754230099816952011-07-21T16:02:00.001-07:002011-07-21T16:02:05.641-07:00Finally....Finally<style>
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</style> <u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">June 22nd</span></u><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;">: Finally, <i>finally.</i> Six puppies arrived this morning after a long and sleepless night. They were due June 21st and thinking they would come earlier than their due date, I slept maybe 8 hours in the last three days, some of that time propped up in the whelping box. Certainly no sleep last night. I set the ipod on shuffle sometime around 11pm and after calling Susan at 6:45am to report that there were no puppies yet, turned around and within minutes Sophie's waterbag broke and orange girl made her appearance. Of course in my sleepless haze I proclaimed orange girl a boy and then knowing my judgment was undoubtedly impaired, did a recheck when her brother lime green arrived about 25 minutes later.. After the stress of my anticipation and Sophie's labor, the deliveries themselves were easy. The pups weigh between 5.3 and 7.8 oz, are nursing well and mom has settled in contentedly. I am reviewing <i><u>The Art of Raising a Puppy's</u></i> fabulous chapter on how puppies develop during their first thirteen days of life.</span>Marcy Kraushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705841369085402036noreply@blogger.com0