then there were only nine

This morning when I got up, "rainbow" boy, identified by the color of his rick rack, wasn't doing well.  He was away from his siblings and cooler to the touch than he should be.  I tucked him in my shirt to warm him up.  After a bit I tried to put him on his mom to suckle but he didn't have the strength so I warmed up a little water with just a bit of molasses in it for the sugar and gave him several drops of that.  I weighed everybody else before our vet appointment; everyone was at least back up to their birth weight.  They usually lose a little weight the day after their birth, but add it back on within a day or so, so they're right on track.  I didn't weigh rainbow, since he was colder than I would like I didn't want to expose him to anything even cool, like the plastic scale.

I had already decided that he wouldn't have his dew claws done while the others did this morning, he didn't need any extra stress.  When we got to the vet Dr. Kriegal looked at him first.  He listened to his breathing and his heart, etc. We got him on a heating pad and gave him a little warmed Esbilac (puppy milk replacer).  I stayed with him with my hand on him under the blanket he was wrapped in while the others got their dew claws removed.  He warmed up and seemed content but he died a short time later.  It doesn't make it any easier losing them at three days old.  I loved him from the moment he was conceived and I grieve for his little self now.  Many thanks to the awesome, caring staff at Campbell Animal Hospital.  I've been taking my dogs there for over twenty years.

The others are doing well, a bit fussy which is to be expected after the proceedure.  Tommie was stressed and couldn't seem to settle when we got back, but she's getting a little better now.

Puppy update!

Everyone's doing well. Tommie's such a good mommy.  First pup was born at 3:05 a.m., last one at 7:38 a.m. yesterday, 6/19, the day after what would have been the puppies great-grandma Haley's 16th birthday. 
Here are a few pics:

Looking pretty pleased with herself!  :o)

We have puppies!!!

First one born 3:05 a.m., last one born 7:38 a.m. Six boys, four girls.  Two of the boys are patched, all are doing really well.  Pics later, I've been up for about 28 hours.  ;o)

Pics from today

She seems to be growing bigger by the hour now.  Here's a shot from today. 

And one on the chair :o)

Poor mama, it's hard to be Tommie right now.

 

Belly growth

I measured Tommie's belly tonight, she's up to 30-1/2"!  She started at 19-1/2" pre-pregnancy.  She's gained 10 pounds so far.  As of last night I was able to feel the puppies move and hear some heartbeats with my stethescope.  I'm working on having a puppycam set up by this weekend, it got more involved that I thought it was going to be but we should have it ready soon.  I'll post the link when it's up.

One more week to go!

Tommie's due a week from today.  Of course that could mean a day or so in either direction.  She's getting very saggy as you can see in the pictures.  Her topline now sags along with everything else! 

The whelping box is in the back bedroom with a comfy bed in it.  She seems pretty happy with it.  At first she couldn't figure out why "her" bed (the day bed/guest bed) was piled with stuff on it - to keep her off of it of course and to get her to like her whelping box.  It worked! 

Last night while we were watching TV in the livingroom she decided to put herself to bed.  After a few minutes I noticed that Hayden wasn't in the room with us anymore.  I got up to see where he was and low and behold he was laying near Tommie, just outside the whelping box.  What a good granddad!!  :o)

Daddy Sagan is not only very handsome but smart too!  Following in my long-time motto of "Beauty And Brains" we're expecting beautiful and Very Smart puppies from this litter.  This YouTube video is Sagan and Holly during a training session a couple days ago.  Earlier this year Sagan earned his Novice Agility ("NA") and Novice Agility Jumpers ("NAJ") titles.  He's now working on his Open Agility titles then on from there, aiming for a "MACH", Master Agility Champion title, along with obedience titles.  Go SmallBrown!!!  ;o)