I knew going into the breeding that Rae might be a difficult breeder, and actually had things more or less in place to travel to VA to have an Artificial Insemination (AI) done with a lovely B&T boy up there. However, Rae put a crimp in my plan when she cycled in on Christmas, a month earlier than I expected. So I started thinking about what other options we might have available closer to home. As it turned out, the secondary plans turned out to be a good thing since VA ended up with several major winter storms during the time we would have needed to travel. Apex, on the other hand, kept missing out on the same storms.
We ended up staying local and was able to breed her (via AI) to Logan, from my first Kira/Drover litter. Logan is a handsome 12 1/2 year old male in excellent health. The gals at Infinity Canine could not believe his age! They kept saying things like "this is what everyone should be breeding for" with regards to his health & also the viability of his sperm. We were pleased all around!
Considering my experience with AIs has been less than spectacular in the past, I wasn't sure what size litter we might have. While Rae was growing on a steady basis, the number was going to be a surprise at birth. And, surprised I was! Rae gave birth during the early morning hours of March 9th to 3 healthy males and 5 healthy females. Now, as to their coat color ... at birth, I was convinced they were all tris. One week later, not so much. For the time being, I am waiting on most of them to get a little older before I definitively say what I think they are. I will say that I went back and looked at Rae's early, early photos. I remembered her being very dark, and she was. She was at least 2 weeks in age before I could see that she was definitely sable. Over time she has lightened up considerably to be about the coloring of her grandmother, Holly.
Check back each week for updates on our little pups!
Week 5 - I believe the title for this past week would be something along the lines of "Everything is going good, until it isn't." This past week included moving out into the front yard and visitors. What we didn't know was it was also going to include a snake. Beth was bitten by an adult copperhead when she stumbled up on one on their first day out. Needless to say that everything that was growing in the puppy pen area has been leveled to the ground since then. Plus, the snake is no more. Beth ended up at the emergency vet because regular vet offices do not stock anti-venom. With an adult dog, I wouldn't necessarily pursued that course of treatment, but since she was just a little over 4 weeks in age, it was a necessary treatment. I am happy to say that Beth is improving, but will have another 4-8 weeks of recovery from the wounds. On to better news .... pups are having a marvelous time having more space outside. Still inside at night and during nap times. Rae is still doing some nursing, but is in the process of drying up.
Week 4 - Rae continues to nurse and watch over the puppies. Have I mentioned what a good mom she is?? Usually in the evening she will get inside the pen, lay down and play with them. Once again the pen grew in size this week and many new items were introduced to them. I have changed their feeding pan to the large, round puppy pan. They absolutely adore climbing in and out of my lap, over and under legs when I am sitting in the pen with them. All get their turn having fun that way or by grabbing my shirt and pulling. Teeth are in and now we are working on using a soft mouth. Right now, a low grunt/growl sound is about all it takes for them to re-evaluate chomping down on my fingers. I am seeing a lot more interaction between pups, which of course, does include teeth and biting. The outside pen has been set up, so we are making plans to start spending time out there during the daylight hours.
Week 3 - Puppies are now completely mobile - not just walking, but can move at a faster pace as well! The pen was expanded to give them and Rae a little more space. They are air scenting and are aware when someone or Rae appears at the pen. I love the air scenting! They continue to grow and markings sometimes change on a daily basis. The sables are getting lighter so you can really tell they are sable, however, they are still fairly dark looking. They are beginning to interact with each other, as well as toys, and are becoming more vocal with the passing days. Goat's milk and cereal was introduced this past week. They are eating it without any problems.
Week 2 - The expression "growing like weeds" must have come into being watching a litter of puppies grow from week to week. This past week saw them double in weight to where they were all hovering around the 2 pound mark last night - a couple lower, but still very near to that amount. I am always amazed at how much their white markings change from week to week as well. Even so, I can now identify pups based on their markings without thinking too hard. Pups finished up ENS, have had nails cut, eyes and ears have opened and they are all walking around. Within the next week I can foresee the need to expand the pen, especially as toys are added into the mix. Rae continues to be a great mom! Oh, I have also determined that Bay and her two brothers, Bear & Bryson, are the sables in the litter. I am not seeing any of the other pups' fur changing as of yet. There are several tris that still need to "tan up" some, but the swaths of sable hair has so far been limited to these 3 pups.
Week 1 - Pups are growing, moving, eating and sleeping. Six of the eight had rear dewclaws removed on Day 3. Along with being handled and weighed each day, they are currently undergoing some ENS exercises to help make those smart puppies even smarter!
