Such beautiful puppies! Can’t wait to get them out and about. At Two weeks old these puppies are just beginning to explore their world beyond their mother. They are aware of other puppies in the whelping box. They make wonderful little sounds. Since they are still in my bedroom, these are sounds I go to sleep with each night. It is heavenly!
Will work in individual photos in a few days.
While the puppies seem very tiny and preoccupied with eating and sleeping, a lot more is going on with them. Even at this very early age they are already bonding with their siblings, their mother and their humans. It is very important that the breeder spend a few moments with each puppy individually, stroking it, cuddling it and speaking to it in a low voice. Right now their eyes are still closed, as are their ears, so they cannot hear or see. But they can feel both the gentle, loving caresses they get from their humans and their mother…maybe not so gentle from their siblings! And, they cannot hear your voice but if you hold them close they can sense the vibrations of your voice.
This is, indeed, a very important time in their development. One not to be taken lightly.
Pups are growing well. I put the three small ones back on three bottle supplements a day. Fortunately not at night! They are just not getting their fair share at Maxi’s nipples, even though I try to give them the best ones as often as I can. I had started them on a product called Esbilac, sold in most pet stores. My vet gave me another brand and it is amazing how much more they like that one! As long as it is warm, they really suck it down!
Since I don’t have any new photos of the pups, I thought I’d post a few of their daddy, Carson.
We have been on a pretty exhausting routine. Up every three hours to make sure our tiny puppies get their nourishment. They are not too crazy about taking a bottle but do. I am relieved for that. Guess what, I’m not too crazy about waking up three times during the night. I can happily report that this afternoon it was apparent the puppies were gaining nicely on their own. All have gained almost 25% of their birth weight which is terrific and I can get a full night’s sleep tonight.
Maxi has decided that sometimes it is easier to nurse her
babies in a sitting position. Meanwhile, our one year old, Marli, has decided her big-sister job is to keep the clean towels warm!
I’ll take her to the Monroe Dog Show tomorrow where she will get her eyes CERF certified and will get tons of special attention from me and my friends in the Havanese Show World!
I signed Maxi up for all four days of the AKC dog show in Novi, Michigan. Might as well jump in with both feet. She is 9 months, 1 week now so she was in the puppy class–9 and under 12 months. Given that it is her 2nd show and my 4th I think we’re doing pretty good. Phoebe’s coat did not muster up to the silky ones you need to win so we gave up showing her early on.
Maxi took Winners Reserve both Thursday and Friday beating some proven point-getters so I was very proud of her (and me!). Today not so good. There is a different judge each day and for some reason the judge today freaked Maxi out–and, truly, he was the friendliest! So, she came away with a second in the reserve category. C’est le vie.
As you may all be aware, dog shows in general are a real trip. I bet most readers have seen them on TV but you don’t get the ‘Full monty’ until you are immersed in one. I’ll try to remember to get photos tomorrow. There are actually two worlds at dog shows. There are the died-in-the-doghair folks with the vans that range in size from 8 feet to 20. Dog shows are their life (note I did not say livelihood)–socially and recreationally. Some are breeders, some are not…but they mostly show because they love their dogs.
Then there are the professional handlers. Dog shows are their livelihood. Yes, they love dogs–wouldn’t be in it, I am sure, unless they did.
Both groups take these shows seriously. Like everything else, some take it more seriously than others. And, it goes without saying, shows can get very political. In my minimal experience I have already encountered it. Thank goodness I am at a point in my life where I take very little seriously. Life is simply getting too short.
Meanwhile I did my part in supporting the vendors–spent $60 on coat conditioner and finishing spray. Havanese with long coats need TONS of conditioning. At least once a week and now I am learning they should have it more often than that if you want a seriously silky coat. This is probably where I went wrong with Phoebe.
It has been an enjoyable three days and I am looking forward to tomorrow. Politics aside, I have met a truly great bunch of people.
Gotta stop now and play with the puppies. Oh darn!