"Patty" (Jess x Jack '03) just one day old, sleeps in the hands of her new owner Henry. Too bad they grow so fast. Bet by next week she will be too big for that!!
Congratulations to Henry. His first B.C. was with him for 17 years. Now it's time for another.
"I just want a buddy" says Henry, I'm sure this little princess will be a great one for him!!
Thanks Michelle, Steph, Jake and Collin for all your help in socializing this litter.
How I raise my pups.
My pups are born in the busiest room of my house so we never miss any of the action. At birth they average 8-14 ounces each. They are handled by us from the first day, and who could keep their hands off them anyway? They learn to enjoy humans as well as their canine family.
My veterinarian will visit the litter within the first 3 days to check them and mom over and remove the dew claws. Dew claws are often left on by other breeders, but I feel that it is quick and relatively painless to take them off in the first days, and much easier than dealing with a ripped or broken one on a grown dog. Most people forget to trim the dewclaws which can often grow in a circle and imbed into the dogs skin, causing the dog great pain.
If the litter is large, and there is a small pup or two, I supplement feed them by feeding tube or with a bottle of puppy formula. This little extra help makes a big difference and the smaller pups manage to stay strong and grow at the same rate as the larger ones.
I follow a series of neurological stimulation exercises, with each pup from the second day, which stimulate the pups immune systems as well as strengthen the heart and adrenal glands and make the pups more tolerant to stress as adults. The results of these exercises have amazed me. Our pups are healthy, strong, confident and very people friendly.
By two weeks the pups eyes are opening and they begin to see and hear and soon they begin to respond to us when we visit the pup's box. We spend a lot of time just holding them close, so they will become used to human scent and enjoy being handled. We often bring one or two at a time to the family room in the evening if we are watching TV.
We subject them to as much normal household noise as possible and play the radio for them during the day.
When they reach 3 to 4 weeks old, the strain of nursing starts to show on the dam, so I begin feeding solid food, starting with a mix of puppy formula and baby rice cereal (just like human babies) and gradually add in canned puppy food to the mix.
Puppies have sharp claws, so we keep them trimmed, and teach them to enjoy having their paws handled. Their teeth are also beginning to break through, so a lot of chewing goes on, especially each others ears. We rub their gums and new teeth to get the pups accustomed to having their mouths handled too.
By this time, at least one pup has learned to climb out of the whelping box and crashing to the floor, so we remove it and give them a nice large 'playpen' to roam and wrestle with one another. We add a few disposable toys to the pen, like paper towel tubes, and Kleenex boxes.
4 kids, 8 puppies, and a beautiful spring day.
Life is Good!!
Spike's new name is Tux, as in tuxedo. Congratulations to Eric and Char Hillman!!
Spring 2004
Henry and Patty, yes that same little puppy
in Henry's hands at the top of the page,
have visited us several times. We are always
delighted to see this pair. She
is madly in love with her owner.
Henry says everyone loves her,
and many would love to take her,
but just seeing them together, you
can tell, she is his for keeps!!
Patty was the smallest pup in her litter.
As you can see, she did manage
to grow.
Around 4 1/2 weeks of age, they are being fed canned puppy food 3 times daily and are still nursing from mom. Soon they are introduced to dry puppy food. Feeding solids if a very messy business, so feeding time usually includes a bath. If the weather is warm these feedings will take place outside, which makes cleanup much, much easier.
They will begin to explore the great outdoors during these outings, and learn to come when we call them. As they grow bolder, we take them for walks around our yard where there are so many interesting sights and smells to discover. Even crossing the driveway can be scary at this age, but with a little encouragement, they follow along and never (well, hardly ever) get lost. The older dogs will meet the new gang and teach them the proper way to greet more dominate animals, as well as how to play.
They also meet the cats and discover their weapons of defense!!
The individual personalities begin to show as
the pups mature. Some will be dominate,
some quiet and cuddly, all adorable.
At 6 weeks they take a trip to the vet's office for a checkup, worm test, and they receive their first shots. Most pups will weigh in around 6-7 lbs. to as much as 8 or 9 for the bigger pups. Mom will be attempting to wean them at this time, but they will still catch up with her if given the chance.
I feel it is vital to have your pets microchiped, to increase the chances of your dog being returned to you if it is ever lost. Ask your vet to implant a microchip in your pup on your first vet visit. Once registered it can be tracked back to you for the safe return of your pet.
Brandi took to her first meal like an old pro, and I'm sure Jess was only too happy to let me help with the feeding of 8 hungry mouths!!
Gordy (Jess x Bandit 02)
Managed to get himself stuck in a Kleenex box 3 times in one week.
"Nothing grows faster than a puppy"
words often repeated by my dear friend
Lois Swanson, who raised many a puppy, child and pony!!
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so
they don't have to stay as long."
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Lois's Favorite:
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing of you.
