Two years ago Vicki & I set out on an adventure to check out a litter of puppies located in the western part of VA. This was an important litter to me because these pups were Dillon's grandpups. I ended up bringing Riker back to live with me & Asia back to live with Vicki. Even back then we discussed the importance of raising at least one litter off of Asia and try to get several of those pups into possible breeding homes. Vicki agreed with the plan, as long as I was willing to raise the litter and place the pups.
We had planned for Asia to come here about a week before her due date, but due to Roper being in standing heat, we opted to watch Asia's temperature as an indicator for when she needed to come. Then the thermometer quit registering correctly .... Even though Asia was not due for 5 or 6 days, we decided she needed to come on over Sunday afternoon. God is good and He got her here in time. Asia started delivering puppies the very next morning!
Vicki was able to be here for most of the births. In a little over 6 hours, Asia had delivered 10 (count them, 10!) puppies which consisted of 3 clear sable & white pups (1 male, 2 females) & 7 tris (3 males, 4 females).
Back a few months ago, my good friend Carolyn asked what sort of names would we come up with for the X litter. I told her I had no idea, but fortunately, Carolyn did. She suggested that we use names of officially named NC Crossroads (X-roads). It took awhile to find a list, but I finally did. I also think this litter needs a theme song. We give you Sammy Shelor's Cross Road Blues. Enjoy watching these crossroad puppies growing up over the next 8 weeks!
Week 6 - Time got away from me last week & I never got around to updating this page. Pups have grown tremendously over the past two weeks. We have gone through transitioning over to semi-hard kibble three times a day, staying and playing outside most of the daylight hours, learning new skills like steps, going inside & outside, learning to go through the gate, sharing the food bowl, etc. Holly stays out with them for several hours each day so Asia can have time to run around and hopefully start to dry up a little bit more. Asia continues to be a great mom. I even saw her today gently correcting a puppy that was getting a little wild and out of control. I do like seeing that quality in her.
Week 4 - It is always amazing to me as I post pictures, just how much puppies change in a week, just in looks alone. Once again, I have expanded their inside pen, and of course, I am not done yet with that aspect. New things this week included, a "bed" to sleep on at one end of the pen, new toys of different types and textures and learning to eat food from a big pan! I forgot the big one .... learning to come out of the pen ... I do sit in the pen with them each day (hard job, but someone has to do it!) to get up close and personal with them. For the time being, I can handle all 10 of them during these times, even when they are wild & crazy. By the time 30 minutes pass, they are usually conking back out again. They are definitely a lot of fun and have a lot of personality beginning to show!
Week 3 - Puppies are continuing to grow, plus get their sea legs. They can now stand up and walk around with a steady gait. They are mouthing each other, plus toys as I have added some to their space. The pen has been expanded slightly as they continue to take up more room. 😉 The most fun thing that happened this week was having them come climb all over me when I sat down in the pen. While they are still doing a lot of sleeping, they are quick to wake up to interact. I have observed them air scenting when they hear Asia's dog tags clink together. Holly still will go in the pen and clean a pup or two. Roper is still excited about going over to see them, but did not get in the pen as much this past week. Asia is still nursing pups, cleaning them up and sometimes will just hang around inside the pen after feeding and "hang out" with them.
Week 2 - We are just finishing up the ENS protocol with the puppies. All eyes and ears have opened. Weights have at least doubled from the birth weight & in most cases, even more than doubled. The biggest puppies weighed in at 2 pounds even on Sunday night. Puppies are becoming a little more active, including some barks every now & then. I have expanded the pen to give more room to the growing pups plus mom. Asia is not spending every single moment in the pen, but does check on them regularly. Both Holly & Roper make it a point to jump into the pen when Asia is outside and one of them is coming through the den. Riker has gone & hung his head over into the pen, but not taken the plunge yet. Everyone seems to be kind of happy to have little ones in the house, especially if they are not having to feed them. 😉 Asia continues to be a great mom!
