Due to excess milk production Summer has mastitis in one gland.
We have been assured by the vet we have caught it in time but
she will be having a check up at the end of the week as a
precaution. Friends have also been on hand to give support
and advice.
Summer enjoys resting on the cool tiles and thankfully soon
returned to her bright-eyed self within hours. She has
continued to adorn the puppies with love and TLC even when she
felt a little under the weather.
We
have now wormed the puppies and started to wean them. Most
puppies took the medicine easily but of course there is always a
"mucky pup".
They
soon settled in the whelping box again after taking their
medicine.
Weaning puppies is a very messy business. This is the
second time we have used Puppy Porridge, which was recommended
by a friend with many years experience of rearing puppies.
We were very pleased with the results last time so we have
decided to try it again. The puppies all think it is
delicious!
Some
preferred to lick the food from a finger.
Including Summer!
Summer was watching the whole process and was on hand to wash
faces......
......and lick the plate clean at the end of the feeding
marathon......
.....and all from the comfort of her favourite cushion!
After their porridge the puppies topped up at the Milk Bar.
As
they are now becoming aware of their surroundings and each other
a little more we have added some toys into the box for them to
climb over and play with at a later stage.
They
never cease to fascinate us and make us laugh with
their antics.
Finding a comfortable place to sleep.
28th October 2008
Today we had
confirmation of the puppies registered names from The Kennel
Club. The children suggested a Mr Man and Little Miss
theme.
"The Boys" will be:
Kendaamber Mr
Happy, Kendaamber Mr Daydream,
Kendaamber Mr
Funny, Kendaamber Mr Cheerful,
Kendaamber Mr
Mischief, Kendaamber Mr Cheeky.
We could not include
the word "Little" within the registration as is exceeded the
maximum number of characters allowed so the "The Girls" will be:
Kendaamber Miss
Sunshine, Kendaamber Miss Lucky,
Kendaamber Miss Star, Kendaamber
Miss
Splendid,
Kendaamber Miss Magic.
The puppies have not
been assigned their individual names yet but we hope to keep Kendaamber Miss Sunshine here with us.
Today we put shredded
paper into the whelping box.
Summer enjoys home
comforts in and out of the whelping box!
Miss Silver sleeping
on Summer.
We now have to use two
baskets now while changing the vet bed.
Below are two video
clips.
The first shows the
puppies sleeping prior to Summer's arrival. As you will
see she is very careful where she sits when she gets in the box.
As space is now at a premium we now remove the puppies from the
box until Summer has settled in order to make the task easier
for her. It takes a few minutes for them all to juggle
into position but we tend to leave them and they invariably
manage to sort out the rota themselves!
The second video clip
introduces the puppies individually.
Miss Pink, Miss
Purple, Miss Yellow,
Miss Silver,
Miss Orange,
Mr Blue,
Mr Green,
Mr Gold,
Mr Turquoise,
Mr Red,
Mr Black.
30th October 2008
The puppies are now
very aware of their surroundings and each other, and venture to
the front of the whelping box.
Although we have a
large whelping box (and there is enough room for Summer, the
puppies and myself) we plan to move the puppies out of the
whelping box at the weekend as we feel the puppies would benefit from
more space to explore.
Puppy Porridge is one
of a number of ways of weaning puppies. It may well be one
of the messiest but we feel it is worth it as we were very
pleased with how well Libby's puppies progressed on this -
thanks to a recommendation from a friend. At this stage
the puppies are still fed individually and we now use baby bibs
to try and reduce the amount of porridge on the
puppies and also the amount of laundry! Soon the puppies
will be lapping the food from a bowl - what fun they will have!
Feeding time over -
back to sleep! The continue to look like little peas in a
pod and recognition would be difficult if we had not colour
coded them.
Summer has now made a
fully recovery - again thanks to the advice of friends and the
vet.
The puppies are used
to being handled and are very relaxed. They are groomed on
a daily basis and we also check their nails and trim them as
required to ensure Summer is not scratched.
The puppies have
started to have visitors. We are restricting visits to one
a day so that Summer does not have to share her puppies for too
long and with too many people in one day.
31st October 2008
The puppies have also
spent time in the living room today. Summer was more than
happy to introduce her family.....
.....and to sit and
have a cuddle too!
TV dinner! The
house is dog and puppy proof so that the dogs can enjoy home
comforts.
Hello!
Our little peas in a
pod! The puppies continue to grow at a very even rate.
We have now marked the
puppies heads for photographic purposes.
Miss Silver is also
known as "Miss Bling" by the children!
Miss Orange exploring
the new surroundings.
1st November 2008
Today we moved the
puppies from the whelping box into a puppy pen. It is a
very relaxing place to spend time!
Summer and the puppies
had another visit today.
Then it was time for a
little fun and relaxation with the boys.
The puppies now lap
food from a plate.
I can do it too mum!
They are fed
individually and then have a top up from the milk bar!
Summer is a very
outgoing and happy girl and appears to be very proud of her
family!
Eventually Summer and
her eleven puppies are all sleeping.
