Yikes! What a day....

Ever had one of the days....... Well, here is how my day went. It started with a screaming headache. I managed to pull myself together and get myself to work. That took some doing in that we have a small, 2 bedroom house. I had 2 week old puppies and Mom in one bedroom, a bitch in heat in another bedroom and an intact dog in the den. After arriving at work I sat down at my desk thinking I could close my door, draw the blinds and meditate that darn headache away. But nooooo....We had a surprise visit from the Chairman of the Parole Board (the head of our dept.). The Chairman, who is very gracious and caring person, walked into my office just as I was about to take a big bite of my sausage biscuit. He decided to make a surprise visit to talk with the line officers to ask what the dept. could do to make our jobs easier. While I really appreciate this - I was totally caught off guard and with a screaming headache - could barely say my name. I managed to get through our conversation and only hope I did not sound like a blithering idiot. Then I run home for lunch only to find a war zone. I don't know what happened, but I had to clean up poop in 1 room, a destroyed doggie bed in another room and another room was in complete disarray. Our dogs are usually very well behaved, I don't know what the heck caused this. So much for lunch. Back to work - thank goodness the headache meds finally took effect - however, the side effects of the meds are not always the most pleasant. But by days end I was feeling better and headed home. When I arrived I open the back door and I was met with this........ Yes, A HUGE black widow spider - face level - I nearly fainted! I am a pretty tough cookie but it's a toss up as to what scares me more snakes or SPIDERS! I managed to kill it, but now I feel all itchy..... Yuck - glad the Cardi's picked up on my stress and have been really cuddly. However, tomorrow - a few of them will be snoozng in their crates.

Puppies - Week 2

Here are the puppies at age 2 weeks

Sad News

It is with a heavy heart that announce that our little boy crossed the rainbow bridge at noon today. He rallied yesterday and seemed to be coming around but began to falter in the evening. He went down hill fast over night. We knew we were in trouble when he stopped nursing and mom started pushing him away. We tried everything we could, but sometimes mother nature knows best.

The good news is that the other pups are THRIVING - fat as pigs and noisy as all get out. Their eyes should be opening any day and then the fun will begin. I just wonder how long it will take them to learn how to climb out of the whelping box.

I co-own Jill with Shirley H. and this litter is hers. The theme for this litter is the letter "Y" - The names Shirley has come up with so far are Yum-Yum, Yogi, Yorick, Yancey, Yippie-ki-a. I came up with Yo-Yo, Yin/Yang, Yahoo and Yankee Doodle. We would love to hear any ideas that you all may have.

Cautiously Optimistic

We are happy to say that our little guy seems to be over the hump. He has gained an ounce and has returned to the whelping box to snuggle with his litter mates. I am keeping the warming box on, just in case. We have decided to continue to supplement with tube feedings and some one on one nursing time with Mom, but are now cautiously optimistic that he will make it.

Improvement

Well, the goods thoughts and crossed fingers seem to be working - our little man is showing signs of improvement. I took him out of the warming box and put him on Jill by himself and lo and behold he suckled away! Yay! I will still supplement him with several tube feedings but he is now well hydrated and getting stronger. He will be staying in the warming box until at least tomorrow to help him stay nice and toasty. Thank goodness I re-read my Puppy Intensive Care book by Myra Savant-Harris and had the warming box, feeding tubes, milk replacer and everything else she recommends ready before the puppies arrive. I highly recommend this book (and her seminar) for anyone (new or old) who has a litter coming. I am also blessed with an AWESOME Vet that I can call day or night.

Rough Night

Our small boy (puppy #2) has been faltering some over the past 2 days. We made an emergency run to the Vet late yesterday afternoon for re-hydration and antibiotics and another trip early this morning. He is a fighter and we are not giving up on him yet. His temp was normal and the lung congestion was better this morning. Poor little fellow nurses, but is too weak to get enough nutrition, So....we will hydrate and tube feed today and see how things go. In the meantime - I am seriously sleep deprived! Keep your fingers crossed! I will post updates as I can.

Dew claw removal

We took the pups in for dew claw removal late yesterday afternoon. I am always glad to get that over with. I try to make the appointment as late as I can to avoid exposing the 2-4 day old pups to germs. Jill was a bit stressed when I took the pups out of the whelping box and Rick said she fretted until I brought them back home. I know a lot of people remove them at home, but I like to take the pups in so my Vet can give them the once over. I am curious, am I the norm or do most breeders remove the dew claws themselves? Love to hear from you all on this.

See Y'all

New Puppy Pictures

Here we are at day 4

Puppy #1 - black/white female

Puppy #2 - brindle male

Puppy #3 - brindle male

Puppy #4 Male - Is he Brindle or RED?????

We think # 4 is red - he gets lighter everyday and does not appear to have striping.

What do you all think - Red or Red brindle?

THEY'RE HERE!!!!!!

THE PUPPIES ARE HERE! Jill went into Labor around noon and presented us with the first puppy - A black and white girl (appears to be a brindle pointed tri) at 4 pm and then followed with three red brindle boys She delivered the last pup at 6:20 pm. What a trooper and a great first time Mom!

Puppy Update

Jill went into labor at noon and produced her first puppy at 4 pm - a lovely brindle pointed tri bitch - weighing in at 12 3/5 oz, followed by a lovely red brindle boy at 4:50 pm weighing in at 9 3/8 oz. She is taking a little break before the next 2 (3) puppies are born - will update with pictures soon!

TODAY?????

Jill's temperature dropped a degree this morning....puppies could be here soon.

Tick Tock

Tick Tock, we are on puppy watch now. The puppies appear to be dropping, but her temperature stays the same - when will it be. Actually - Rick & I are both under the weather - so, Jill, wait a day or two...please.

THE RESULTS ARE IN.

We took sweet Jill in for her pre-whelp X-ray this morning and saw 4 decent sized pups waiting to arrive. Of course there could always be a fifth hiding in there somewhere. My vet says he is sure he saw a1 tri-colored girl and 3 red brindle girls in there (what a hoot he is!). Now the waiting game begins. Stayed tuned for the puppy announcement sometime later this week.

See Ya'll

Waiting for Daddy - Part II

My crew of timekeepers were at it again this evening. Do you think they like their two-legged Daddy - They can't wait for him to get home. This vigil starts about an hour before his arrival.

Kate, Star, Rudy and Magic

DAY 55 and I am miserable!

Poor Jill - day 55 and she is miserable. She is so big, she no longer has room to eat a full meal - poor baby. Wonder how many babies we will have - stay tuned - X-rays are schedule for Monday. Don't forget to vote on the puppy poll!

Guess what time it is!

Yes, we really can tell what time it is - It's time for Daddy to come home from work. Once Dad gets home we get to F R A P !!!!!
I passed by the front door and found all the cardis impatiently waiting for Rick to arrive home. It was so cute I just had to take a photo of it. I think they are saving their energy for the major league FRAP!

Rub my Belly - Please

Daddy, please rub my big belly - it's about to burst! Wonder how many babies I will have - take my poll....

BABIES' DADDY

Here he is - the proud Papa to be - Ch Grangefield Aberdovey Valentino.
Rudy is a lovely, young boy with lots of promise - His Mom (Lilly) and Auntie (JoJo) have both won the nationals. We are keeping our fingers crossed for tri's and red brindles!

IT SNOWED LAST NIGHT - Cardi's unite for fun in the snow!

JILL DOESN'T LIKE THE COLD SNOW ON HER PREGNANT BELLY!

WAIT - WHAT'S THAT OVER THERE!

This is such unusual weather for Middle Tennessee - The temp was 69 degrees 2 days ago and now this.