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| Fall 2006 |
| Graci and Pablo |
| The Fall 2006 litter journal has begun. We'll keep you posted on how Graci is doing and when those long awaited puppies are born, so be sure to check back daily. New videos are up and going. Please note, videos do take some time to load. If they don't load for you, try clicking on it and it should load in a minute or two. Let us know if you have any trouble with the journal. |
| Date Journal Entry Daily Picture |
Today is the first day of our journal, though the
documentation of the litter doesn't officially begin until
Graci's 59th day of pregnancy, which is September 4th. Today
is her 39th day of gestation, and her belly has started to grow
a little bit, so I thought I'd take a picture of it so you could
see what she looks like about half way through her
pregnancy, when the babies are still very tiny, about the size
of walnuts. Tiny though they may be, they are already fully
formed little dogs. Graci's belly may not look like much now,
but give her another week or two. Depending on how many
puppies she is going to have, she may develop a large round
belly before she delivers.
documentation of the litter doesn't officially begin until
Graci's 59th day of pregnancy, which is September 4th. Today
is her 39th day of gestation, and her belly has started to grow
a little bit, so I thought I'd take a picture of it so you could
see what she looks like about half way through her
pregnancy, when the babies are still very tiny, about the size
of walnuts. Tiny though they may be, they are already fully
formed little dogs. Graci's belly may not look like much now,
but give her another week or two. Depending on how many
puppies she is going to have, she may develop a large round
belly before she delivers.
8-14-06
Graci enjoyed some cool weather when we went outside today.
I usually try to do pictures outside because the natural
lighting makes for better pictures, but it was overcast and
cloudy today, so the pic is a little dark. But Graci is doing
great. She is definitely progressing in her pregnancy. Today
is day 46. I did a tentative count today and I think she's going
to have three puppies, possibly four. You can see some
difference in the size of her abdomen in the pictures. The pic
doesn't quite yet show the beginning formation of her milk
bags, but they are definitely starting to come in. Her appetite
has picked back up after the normal decline of food
consumption that usually accompanies the part of pregnancy
where the female begins to "show"....when the puppies are
growing rapidly and beginning to crowd the stomach.
I usually try to do pictures outside because the natural
lighting makes for better pictures, but it was overcast and
cloudy today, so the pic is a little dark. But Graci is doing
great. She is definitely progressing in her pregnancy. Today
is day 46. I did a tentative count today and I think she's going
to have three puppies, possibly four. You can see some
difference in the size of her abdomen in the pictures. The pic
doesn't quite yet show the beginning formation of her milk
bags, but they are definitely starting to come in. Her appetite
has picked back up after the normal decline of food
consumption that usually accompanies the part of pregnancy
where the female begins to "show"....when the puppies are
growing rapidly and beginning to crowd the stomach.
8-21-06
Graci went into the nursery today to begin preparing for her
babies. Her milk is starting to come in a bit more and she's
not getting rounder, but she's definitely getting wider. Her
nipples are filling out and getting softer. I got another count
this week and I'm pretty sure we're looking at 3 puppies,
though they can fool me and there will be one hiding behind
the rib cage. Graci is doing very well. She loves the nursery
and all the babies. Graci has always been one of our best
moms, so I have no doubt that she'll do a great job this time
too. I don't know what colors to expect with this litter. They
will all be smooth coat, I know that. But I don't think there
will be any blues, unless Pablo surprises me. I hope she has
all brindle babies! Whatever their color, they should be
gorgeous!
babies. Her milk is starting to come in a bit more and she's
not getting rounder, but she's definitely getting wider. Her
nipples are filling out and getting softer. I got another count
this week and I'm pretty sure we're looking at 3 puppies,
though they can fool me and there will be one hiding behind
the rib cage. Graci is doing very well. She loves the nursery
and all the babies. Graci has always been one of our best
moms, so I have no doubt that she'll do a great job this time
too. I don't know what colors to expect with this litter. They
will all be smooth coat, I know that. But I don't think there
will be any blues, unless Pablo surprises me. I hope she has
all brindle babies! Whatever their color, they should be
gorgeous!
8-28-06
Today is the official beginning of our journal. Graci has been
in the nursery for a week, preparing for her babies to be
born, and you won't believe how much her belly has grown in
the past week. I thought I had a good count at 3 last week,
but the way she is growing, I think maybe there might be
another one or possibly even two pups in there. It's
impossible to count now....she's too big. She's eating well and
showing no real signs of labor yet. I apologize for this
picture. I took it by myself while I was trying to hold Graci so
it didn't come out as well as I had hoped. And she's not too
crazy about being on her back either, so that didn't help.
in the nursery for a week, preparing for her babies to be
born, and you won't believe how much her belly has grown in
the past week. I thought I had a good count at 3 last week,
but the way she is growing, I think maybe there might be
another one or possibly even two pups in there. It's
impossible to count now....she's too big. She's eating well and
showing no real signs of labor yet. I apologize for this
picture. I took it by myself while I was trying to hold Graci so
it didn't come out as well as I had hoped. And she's not too
crazy about being on her back either, so that didn't help.
9-04-06
Day 59
Graci is doing well today. She's happy and enjoyed some time
to sit in my lap today, as you can see in the picture. Her milk
is coming in nicely and I've begun giving her protein
supplements to help her recover after the pups are born and
also to help with milk production. Most of her belly is hidden
in my lap in this pictures, but she is definitely looking wide
today.
to sit in my lap today, as you can see in the picture. Her milk
is coming in nicely and I've begun giving her protein
supplements to help her recover after the pups are born and
also to help with milk production. Most of her belly is hidden
in my lap in this pictures, but she is definitely looking wide
today.
9-05-06
Day 60
BIRTHDAY!!! Graci surprised me today. She showed no
signs of labor until just an hour or two before contractions
began. Her labor began at around 1:00 pm and the pups were
born by 4:00 pm. She surprised me in another way too...I
thought I had a good count at three, but she only had two, a
boy and a girl, whom we have named Ringo and Ruby. Ringo,
born at 4:00 pm, is black with white on his chest and Ruby,
born at 2:45 pm, is fawn sable with white. Graci and pups are
doing great! We have added several pictures of the labor and
birth. Just click on the pic to the right to see them. Also,
we've added two videos. Click on the video links at the top of
the page to view them. Since our ladies are all in the same
room together when they have their pups, our girls deliver in
safe, clean, caged birthing areas with plenty of absorbent,
disposable material, for their protection and the protection of
their pups. All of today's pictures were taken from above so
as not to disturb Graci during her labor and delivery. She did
a wonderful job delivering on her own so rather than get in
her way and bother her, I just monitored her to make sure
that everything went smoothly. The picture of her to the
right is during the beginning stages of labor. Congratulations
Graci and Pablo!!
signs of labor until just an hour or two before contractions
began. Her labor began at around 1:00 pm and the pups were
born by 4:00 pm. She surprised me in another way too...I
thought I had a good count at three, but she only had two, a
boy and a girl, whom we have named Ringo and Ruby. Ringo,
born at 4:00 pm, is black with white on his chest and Ruby,
born at 2:45 pm, is fawn sable with white. Graci and pups are
doing great! We have added several pictures of the labor and
birth. Just click on the pic to the right to see them. Also,
we've added two videos. Click on the video links at the top of
the page to view them. Since our ladies are all in the same
room together when they have their pups, our girls deliver in
safe, clean, caged birthing areas with plenty of absorbent,
disposable material, for their protection and the protection of
their pups. All of today's pictures were taken from above so
as not to disturb Graci during her labor and delivery. She did
a wonderful job delivering on her own so rather than get in
her way and bother her, I just monitored her to make sure
that everything went smoothly. The picture of her to the
right is during the beginning stages of labor. Congratulations
Graci and Pablo!!
9-06-06
Day 61
Ringo and Ruby's first day has been a good one. They
are gaining weight, nursing well and Graci is taking
excellent care of them. The next two weeks will be much
of the same, nursing, gaining weight and sleeping. But
we'll have daily pictures and an occasional video for you
to see. Today I have one picture of them, but in the next
few days, I'll have more pics to post. Graci is up and
about today and eating LOTS of food!
are gaining weight, nursing well and Graci is taking
excellent care of them. The next two weeks will be much
of the same, nursing, gaining weight and sleeping. But
we'll have daily pictures and an occasional video for you
to see. Today I have one picture of them, but in the next
few days, I'll have more pics to post. Graci is up and
about today and eating LOTS of food!
9-07-06
Day 1
Ringo
Ruby
A journal entry on the run. It's been a hectic day! The
pups are doing great and Mom is taking very good care
of them. We had to remove their bed...Graci kept
wrapping the puppies up in it and I was afraid that would
be trouble for them, but they have plenty of fresh, clean
paper and they'll get their bed back when the pups are a
little older and can work their way out from under it if
they get under there. Their weight gain is right on track
and Graci is recovering very quickly! I'll try to get some
pictures of their precious little faces this weekend.
pups are doing great and Mom is taking very good care
of them. We had to remove their bed...Graci kept
wrapping the puppies up in it and I was afraid that would
be trouble for them, but they have plenty of fresh, clean
paper and they'll get their bed back when the pups are a
little older and can work their way out from under it if
they get under there. Their weight gain is right on track
and Graci is recovering very quickly! I'll try to get some
pictures of their precious little faces this weekend.
9-08-06
Day 2
Another journal entry on the run. It's been a more hectic
day than yesterday! But the pups are growing beautifully.
I got those face pics I promised yesterday. They're just
beautiful. Ruby is being held right now in consideration
to stay with us, but her weight gain is steady, but slow,
which is often an indication that she may be pretty small,
so for now, we're just watching her to see how her growth
will go before we decide for sure if we want to keep her.
These little guys are feisty already though....real wiggle
worms. I've started working with them on being on their
backs, which they hate right now, but that's part of
socialization. You want a pup to stay on it's back for a
few seconds before putting up a fight to turn back over.
We'll get there!! There are 4 pics altogether today so
click on the pic of Ringo to see the rest of them.
day than yesterday! But the pups are growing beautifully.
I got those face pics I promised yesterday. They're just
beautiful. Ruby is being held right now in consideration
to stay with us, but her weight gain is steady, but slow,
which is often an indication that she may be pretty small,
so for now, we're just watching her to see how her growth
will go before we decide for sure if we want to keep her.
These little guys are feisty already though....real wiggle
worms. I've started working with them on being on their
backs, which they hate right now, but that's part of
socialization. You want a pup to stay on it's back for a
few seconds before putting up a fight to turn back over.
We'll get there!! There are 4 pics altogether today so
click on the pic of Ringo to see the rest of them.
9-09-06
Day 3
The babies are 4 days old now and doing fine! There is
lots of movement from them...they can find Mom in no
time flat, no matter how far away they get. Click on
Ruby's first official website picture to the right to see
Ringo's. Ruby looks so much like her dad, I think...she's
got that same cute little face. I'll post a video of the two
of them sometime this week.
lots of movement from them...they can find Mom in no
time flat, no matter how far away they get. Click on
Ruby's first official website picture to the right to see
Ringo's. Ruby looks so much like her dad, I think...she's
got that same cute little face. I'll post a video of the two
of them sometime this week.
9-10-06
Day 4
The pups are starting to look pretty fat today. They are
little piggies! Graci is consuming massive quantities of
food and water for her little body (about 3 cups of food
and 2 pints of water each day...her normal intake is about
a cup of food and 3/4 of a pint of water daily.) She's also
enjoying her yogurt and peanut butter treats. She'd be
getting eggs too, but she doesn't like them, so we
substitute peanut butter and sometimes canned chicken.
It's a cloudy, thundery day here today so the moms and
pups have been very calm and quiet today. I guess they
enjoy sleeping through storms as much as I do! If you
look closely in the picture, you can see Ruby latched on
for her afternoon snack.
little piggies! Graci is consuming massive quantities of
food and water for her little body (about 3 cups of food
and 2 pints of water each day...her normal intake is about
a cup of food and 3/4 of a pint of water daily.) She's also
enjoying her yogurt and peanut butter treats. She'd be
getting eggs too, but she doesn't like them, so we
substitute peanut butter and sometimes canned chicken.
It's a cloudy, thundery day here today so the moms and
pups have been very calm and quiet today. I guess they
enjoy sleeping through storms as much as I do! If you
look closely in the picture, you can see Ruby latched on
for her afternoon snack.
9-11-06
Day 5
Here's a cute picture. One of the things I love about
puppies is the way they huddle together. In larger litters,
you'll find a puppy pile...you'll see a leg here, a nose
there, maybe one will be turned on his back. You have to
really look closely to distinguish one puppy from another.
Of course, there is a purpose to these piles of puppy!
They snuggle together to stay warm and I personally
believe that it's also the beginning of their socialization
within the litter, because it's usually the same pups in the
same positions. In smaller litters like this one, you don't
get as much of a pile, but climbing on top of each other
like that still serves the same purpose. They were
sleeping quite peacefully.
puppies is the way they huddle together. In larger litters,
you'll find a puppy pile...you'll see a leg here, a nose
there, maybe one will be turned on his back. You have to
really look closely to distinguish one puppy from another.
Of course, there is a purpose to these piles of puppy!
They snuggle together to stay warm and I personally
believe that it's also the beginning of their socialization
within the litter, because it's usually the same pups in the
same positions. In smaller litters like this one, you don't
get as much of a pile, but climbing on top of each other
like that still serves the same purpose. They were
sleeping quite peacefully.
9-12-06
Day 6
The pups are one week old today...YAY. This is a
milestone for them. Unfortunately, some pups don't
make it through their first week of life. But these two are
healthy and doing great. Their weight gain is right on
target and I couldn't ask for a better Mom than Graci. I
got some video of them today. Click on the picture to see
it. Remember though, at this age, sleeping and eating is
about all these little guys do, but I managed to get them
snuggling together. They're too cute! Oh and wait till
you see tomorrow's pictures. You won't believe how
much their little faces have changed already!
milestone for them. Unfortunately, some pups don't
make it through their first week of life. But these two are
healthy and doing great. Their weight gain is right on
target and I couldn't ask for a better Mom than Graci. I
got some video of them today. Click on the picture to see
it. Remember though, at this age, sleeping and eating is
about all these little guys do, but I managed to get them
snuggling together. They're too cute! Oh and wait till
you see tomorrow's pictures. You won't believe how
much their little faces have changed already!
9-13-06
Day 7
As promised (though maybe a bit late) I got some
pictures of the pup's faces today. Isn't it amazing how
much they have changed in just one short week? In
Ruby's picture (which you can see by clicking on Ringo)
you'll see that her eyes are beginning to open. She
should have them open in a few days! Ringo isn't quite
so far along on opening his eyes, I don't think, but you
never know. Sometimes they just pop right open!
pictures of the pup's faces today. Isn't it amazing how
much they have changed in just one short week? In
Ruby's picture (which you can see by clicking on Ringo)
you'll see that her eyes are beginning to open. She
should have them open in a few days! Ringo isn't quite
so far along on opening his eyes, I don't think, but you
never know. Sometimes they just pop right open!
9-14-06
Day 8
Most of the time, all the puppies in a litter will snuggle
with Mom and nurse together, unless the litter is a large
one. But usually a couple of times a day, each pup gets
to snuggle with Mom, nurse and have a cleaning session
all to him/herself. That's today's picture. Ruby had
already been thoroughly cleaned and got her belly full, so
now it was Ringo's turn! This begins usually the day
after birth and it's a great time for the mother and pups to
bond.
with Mom and nurse together, unless the litter is a large
one. But usually a couple of times a day, each pup gets
to snuggle with Mom, nurse and have a cleaning session
all to him/herself. That's today's picture. Ruby had
already been thoroughly cleaned and got her belly full, so
now it was Ringo's turn! This begins usually the day
after birth and it's a great time for the mother and pups to
bond.
9-15-06
Day 9
Today I got Ruby in her alone time with Mom. The pups
are growing steadily. They now have little slits where
there eyes will be in a few days!
are growing steadily. They now have little slits where
there eyes will be in a few days!
9-16-06
Day 10
The pups are still growing steadily. Little Ruby is
growing more slowly than Ringo, but she's maintaining a
steady weight gain. They are beginning to crawl around
more and once their eyes open, they'll be starting to
stand and trying to walk. I'll do my best to get some
video of that. Click on Ruby's picture to see today's
picture of Ringo.
growing more slowly than Ringo, but she's maintaining a
steady weight gain. They are beginning to crawl around
more and once their eyes open, they'll be starting to
stand and trying to walk. I'll do my best to get some
video of that. Click on Ruby's picture to see today's
picture of Ringo.
9-17-06
Day 11
Click on the pic to see pics of the pup's faces. Ruby just
about has her eyes open. Ringo's are still closed, but
he'll get there. Graci is doing very well. She's still eating
like a horse, so to speak, and she's recovering nicely.
She's very protective of her pups and she keeps them
immaculately clean. Graci is also still enjoying her daily
supplement treats.
about has her eyes open. Ringo's are still closed, but
he'll get there. Graci is doing very well. She's still eating
like a horse, so to speak, and she's recovering nicely.
She's very protective of her pups and she keeps them
immaculately clean. Graci is also still enjoying her daily
supplement treats.
9-18-06
Day 12
I took some more pics of their faces today so you can see
the progress of their eyes opening. Click on the pic to
see the others. Hard to believe that it can take several
days just for their eyes to fully open, isn't it? The pups
are right on track with their progress and they and Mom
are doing great!
the progress of their eyes opening. Click on the pic to
see the others. Hard to believe that it can take several
days just for their eyes to fully open, isn't it? The pups
are right on track with their progress and they and Mom
are doing great!
9-19-06
Day 13
Click on Ruby to see Ringo's eyes fully open. The pups
are two weeks old now and both have their eyes fully
open. So, this is where the daily entries of the litter
journal come to an end. They've made great progress
and changed so much in the last two weeks. But keep up
with the journal because I'll now go back to weekly
entries, so be sure and check back every Wednesday.
You won't believe how much they change each week!
are two weeks old now and both have their eyes fully
open. So, this is where the daily entries of the litter
journal come to an end. They've made great progress
and changed so much in the last two weeks. But keep up
with the journal because I'll now go back to weekly
entries, so be sure and check back every Wednesday.
You won't believe how much they change each week!
9-20-06
Day 14
Week 2
Week 1
Oh man, it is unbelievable how much these two have
matured over the last week. They're so cute! This is a
picture of them playing. I tried to get some video but my
camera refused to focus for some reason. I'll get Video 4
next week! They are moving around a lot and they're
almost up on all 4's but they do have a little more work to
do. They're pretty wobbly. Right now, they're doing the
"commando crawl" on their bellies....too cute!
matured over the last week. They're so cute! This is a
picture of them playing. I tried to get some video but my
camera refused to focus for some reason. I'll get Video 4
next week! They are moving around a lot and they're
almost up on all 4's but they do have a little more work to
do. They're pretty wobbly. Right now, they're doing the
"commando crawl" on their bellies....too cute!
9-27-06
Day 21
Week 3
Wow, another week of major changes. The pups look
totally different, I think, than they did even a week ago.
There is another cute picture on the pics page...just click
this picture to go there. And, as promised, I did add
video 4 as well, so click the link at the top to see it.
You'll hear Graci doing a little growling in the
background, which is exactly why our babies are enclosed
till they are weaned. It's safer for them if Mom doesn't
have to worry about other Moms getting near them. Chi
girls are very protective of their babies!
This week's milestones include walking on all 4's, even if
they are a bit wobbly, and the beginning of weaning. The
pups began eating a mixture of puppy formula and baby
cereal yesterday and so far they're doing well. Next
week I'll try to have some pictures of them eating for
you. They also received their first vaccination today.
They did great...barely a squeak!
totally different, I think, than they did even a week ago.
There is another cute picture on the pics page...just click
this picture to go there. And, as promised, I did add
video 4 as well, so click the link at the top to see it.
You'll hear Graci doing a little growling in the
background, which is exactly why our babies are enclosed
till they are weaned. It's safer for them if Mom doesn't
have to worry about other Moms getting near them. Chi
girls are very protective of their babies!
This week's milestones include walking on all 4's, even if
they are a bit wobbly, and the beginning of weaning. The
pups began eating a mixture of puppy formula and baby
cereal yesterday and so far they're doing well. Next
week I'll try to have some pictures of them eating for
you. They also received their first vaccination today.
They did great...barely a squeak!
10-4-06
Day 28
Week 4
It's been another amazing week of changes for these
two. They're just so cute! Their heads and faces are
really starting to take shape now and they look so much
different, even from just last week. They're coming out
and exploring a lot now, especially Ruby, who'll be the
first one out sniffing of everything she can get her little
nose on. They are eating mashed dry puppy food now,
mixed with canned food. They're reluctant eaters, but
that's pretty common in litters with only one or two pups.
They've had all of Mom's milk to themselves and it
takes them longer to be ready to give that up. Today's
pictures are of them sitting in the living room floor
playing with me...well, climbing all over me really!
There are several more pics, so click on this one and
scroll down to see them.
two. They're just so cute! Their heads and faces are
really starting to take shape now and they look so much
different, even from just last week. They're coming out
and exploring a lot now, especially Ruby, who'll be the
first one out sniffing of everything she can get her little
nose on. They are eating mashed dry puppy food now,
mixed with canned food. They're reluctant eaters, but
that's pretty common in litters with only one or two pups.
They've had all of Mom's milk to themselves and it
takes them longer to be ready to give that up. Today's
pictures are of them sitting in the living room floor
playing with me...well, climbing all over me really!
There are several more pics, so click on this one and
scroll down to see them.
10-11-06
Day 35
Week 5
The pups are 6 weeks old now and doing just great.
They're weaning well, eating on their own and have had
their first two shots. And, they're cute as can be. Both
are outgoing and playful. They're a lot of fun to watch
and to play with. This will be our last journal entry for
this litter. From here, we'll continue their socialization
by playing with them often, introducing them to other
puppies and adult dogs, taking them outside when
weather allows, and letting them explore the house.
They'll continue their weaning until they are eating dry
food and drinking water separately, which should be
another 1-2 weeks. We hope you have enjoyed
watching these babies grow. Check back in the spring
as we may do another journal! Oh, and click on Ringo's
picture to see Ruby's close up.
They're weaning well, eating on their own and have had
their first two shots. And, they're cute as can be. Both
are outgoing and playful. They're a lot of fun to watch
and to play with. This will be our last journal entry for
this litter. From here, we'll continue their socialization
by playing with them often, introducing them to other
puppies and adult dogs, taking them outside when
weather allows, and letting them explore the house.
They'll continue their weaning until they are eating dry
food and drinking water separately, which should be
another 1-2 weeks. We hope you have enjoyed
watching these babies grow. Check back in the spring
as we may do another journal! Oh, and click on Ringo's
picture to see Ruby's close up.
10-19-06
Day 43
Week 6
