Vet Visit

Took the gang to the vet this afternoon.  Every puppy was looked over and examined then they all got a shot of JUST Parvo Vaccine.  My vet really thinks they should only "see" the Parvo as a first shot and then get a Combo-type shot as the second and subsequent vaccines.  They also got a fecal exam done and no parasites or worms were found. Took a couple of pictures of Dr. Henry examining, vaccinating and giving his general look-over...he never minds me taking pictures ...you can see he's trying not to smile the whole time!!  Good sport...

He didn't find anything problematic with any of the puppies.  All hearts sounded great, eyes clear, no deformities and he said he just loved seeing nice healthy pups!  

what a bright, big world!

The puppies went outside today for the first time!  I waited until the sun was warm and shadows long (and I had some help) to take them out and let them play for the first time.  I took about 50 pictures ...mostly because all the big dogs were in the way and I kept getting someone's legs or tail in the picture with the puppies, they were so excited to see puppies out playing they just couldn't help but mingle with them.  Snailie was the funniest with them, rolling over and letting the gang maul her by the porch.  

Combined & confused

So today we combined the litters from Vanilla and Little.  Both mothers are fine with being around each other but of course Little is totally confused.  She keeps heading down the hall and just sitting in the empty pool still in my bedroom.  Now she has resigned to sitting with the bunch and Vanilla is not having any interest in being with the puppies.  She may change her mind when she's away from them for a while and fills with milk!

Hurricane Matthew

No postings in a while...
I guess most of you who read this were probably impacted by the hurricane that went through the South.  We lost power that Saturday evening when  hurricane Matthew hit us.  We went through the entire day without any loss of power as the storm surged but once about 12+ inches of rain had fallen powerlines started to fail as trees became uprooted and fell on them.  The biggest problem we had besides no power was the flooding.  We are surrounded by rivers here on the roads to and from our home.  Going to any town near us became impossible since the water quickly overtook the bridges and washed out roads.  

Boykin Bridge Road to Clinton

 In some places the power lines were down where water was so deep they couldn't get in to even look at the damage so we knew power being restored would take a few days ...at least until the water receded.   So I of course had two fairly new litters to take care of and no power, no hot water, and tons of work at the farm to take care of also!    Fortunately I had plenty of dog food.  We did the best we could and only lost one puppy...laid on in the dark late one night.  

210  to Garland

 Thankfully the weather was beautiful during the day and just comfortable with the windows open each night .  

242 to Roseboro

 We got our power back on Tuesday afternoon about 6:30...I felt like I had stepped into a suddenly modern world.  Tons of blankets and towels to wash, dishes, and floors to mop. Wednesday I felt (secure enough) that it was time we packed up all the little candles and battery powered lamps we had strategically positioned all over the house.  What a relief!

water rushes over the bridge to Roseboro

The roads are almost all open --just a few places you still see detour signs where they are working on bridges but surely there will be more as inspections take place in the next few weeks.  

Now the pups are 3 & 4 weeks old each its starting to get pretty fun but messy.  The 4 week olds (Vanilla's) are eating puppy food now and in the kitchen so they can use paper to do their business on and have a clean place to sleep.  The 3 week puppies (Little's) are still in my room in the pool but will make the move this weekend.  They are MUCH bigger than Vanilla's puppies, but still no teeth.  Vanilla has one puppy that just weighs 1 lb!  

Little Zeus...1lb pup fits in the palm of your hand

Gingerbread finally does it right!

Gingerbread "Little" finally had her ideal litter.  She began labor during the night but actually started pushing at around 6:00 am.  First pup born at 6:35 and last at 8:45,  She did have one stillbirth but all others fine and nursing great.  She is a bit nervous but otherwise fine.  (she abandoned her first litter ...she is Snailee's mother)  There is virtually all color variations other than solid white.  Two females and the rest are males.  Most have short -natural tails and two need to be docked.   She is eating good and drinking---both things she quit on her first litter.  We hope all continue to do well!!  

Lookie!

Vanilla had her last litter yesterday...a scheduled c-section & spay.  So she is officially " retired from puppy raising.  A beautiful litter of 6--4 females & 2 males!  She has had 2 prior sections due to complications so we just scheduled this last one for once she started labor.  Her first due date was Monday & we had been taking her temperature daily waiting on a drop to signal impending labor.  Had a small drop Wednesday night and sure enough when I came home Thursday she was restless, panting & off her food.  We took her in before the clinic closed ( they knew we expected to come Thursday eve) & she was ready at 6:15.  I had never started puppies from a delivery where not one puppy had been born but after a few confusing moments Vanilla began cleaning the little "strangers " and began to bond to them.   I helped get them all on a test and nursing immediately.  She adjusted pretty quickly but was in obvious pain through the early evening but near 2-3 am she settled in and fell into a deep sleep & so did I!  It's a long night sitting  up with new puppies and this time although I didn't watch and help with labor all night I had to watch her since she had a hard time getting comfortable & every few hours got up & moved around.  So my job was to help arrange puppies so no one got laid on, cold, or lost in the pool....plus putting them up to nurse.  

OUTSIDE!!!

So this posting is mostly pictures (you can actually *click* any picture to see it BIGGER...this is the litter's first evening outside.  Its almost 96 F so we waited until the sun was almost down before we took them out.

Snail-ee has to play with the puppies she has been watching for so long from afar!

Lily with her incredible bronze eyes~~

"I hope its not time to go inside"

All kinds of smells....

Some play like tough guys, others sit and watch.

and watch...

Investigation of one little puppy...Snail has such a serious look on her face :)

What a sweet boy!

This is Lula, named after Lily's nickname

"Lily-Lula"

Some crawl around under Little's belly...

 And then nap a bit.

Finally everyone's tired of looking and smelling and its time to take puppies back inside.