Cattle Dogs

The WHOLE family (Darbi, Miikka and two pups) went to an arena to watch a cow horse event and we had a hoot.  Darbi wandered around the arena and ate horse poop the whole time, while Miikka enjoyed watching the horses (see pic below).  The pups played with me in the stands and met lots of new people.  It was their first time on a leash and they were SO good!

Sorry for the grainy pics-they were taken by my phone.

Sleepy Time

Because it is too cold to take the 2 remaining pups out every day, I am trying to expose them to new surroundings in other ways.

After a busy play session at the ambulance hall where I work, they had a little nap with their mom.

These two pups leave for their new homes the first week of January.

Koda

Introducing Elmingo's Ebony Imprint "Koda".

You all know him better as Red Dot or Spot.

He's doing great in his new home and seems to have made new friends already!!

3 less

Sorry about the lack of posting and pictures.  It's been nuts around here.

I made a 10 hour round trip drive today to meet "Red's" new owners half way.  Red Dot left a couple of days ago and Blue left Monday as well.  It was bittersweet to see them go.  I will miss them, but they are going to great homes, so that makes me very happy.

2 more pups leave this week-end and then the last two after New Year's.  I'll post all their new names once everyone has decided!

Pics tomorrow.

Brrrr...

It's getting bitterly cold here and the snowstorm has officially reared it's head.  High winds and freezing temperatures means the puppies will be playing indoors this week-end.

Pups start leaving for their new homes on Monday and in the days following.  I have fretted about which pup should go where and I've confirmed placements.  I try very hard to match the pup to the home, but it was a very hard task this litter as they are all so alike!

I am working all week-end, and it should be busy with the highways in such poor condition.  Be warm, don't drive if you don't have to and play safe!

I really couldn't manage without my dog sitter Claudia!  She is amazing and looks after my dogs and the puppies as if they were her own.  THANKS Claudia!

Snow Angels

We had lots of fun in the snow today.  Miikka, as usual, found the biggest stick and the puppies enjoyed chasing her.  You can see a few are still trying to make a run at Mom.

Vet Visit

We had a big snow fall yesterday, and have about 4 inches of the white stuff on the ground.  I took the puppies for a walk in the snow today and we had a blast.  Of course...I forgot the camera...but I'll remember it tomorrow!!

Then , we all went to the vet for the pup's first vaccinations and 2nd de-worming.

All the pups are in great health.  No heart murmurs, overbites or hernias.  

Here is the run down.

Red Dot: 4.09 kg

Red: 4.37 kg

Blue: 4.1 kg

Green: 4.06 kg

Yellow: 4.22 kg

Pink: 4.07 kg

Orange: 4.5 kg

As you can see, they are about as uniform litter as they come.  I'm having a tough time deciding which pup should go to which home as they are all neat pups.  I'm getting some live pigeons on Wednesday, so that should be fun!!

The buffet is closed

I took the pups out for their first outside walk yesterday, and of course I forgot to bring the camera!  I didn't forget today and we had a great time in the mild weather.

Pups see Darbi as the moving buffet still, and she has perfected the art of keeping JUST out of reach of them.

They sometimes even think Miikka is a buffet too, until they latch on and realize that she is closed for business.

Busy

Pups are SO busy right now as you can see.  I am still amazed at how uniform this litter is.  No puppy really stands out as being one extreme or the other.  They are all outgoing, playful, confident and happy.

First vaccinations next week on the 8th and eye testing on the 11th.

Bag Dragging

I have an empty dog food bag in the garage where the puppies play.  It makes lots of noise when they walk on it and that's why I have it there.

As you can see, bag dragging is a new sport and even Aunt Miikka goes to see what's going on.

We play in the garage twice a day and have a grand time.

I have Red on my lap sleeping as I'm typing this, so pups are getting individual attention as well.

Too cute

They just keep getting cuter and cuter.

New Condo

Pups like to crowd around my feet lots...and chew my slippers.

First taste of bumpers.

Having fun in the garage.

New digs.  Pups now have a "play" area and a "potty box".  They have figured out the potty box remarkably fast and have only had two accidents in the play area.

First meal

Pups had their first meal yesterday and they dove right in!

They are now getting 3 meals a day as Darbi decreases how often she nurses.  The little guys have teeth now, so she is becoming less interested in feeding them as often, and I can't say as if I blame her.

Getting busy here.

I was away at a conference for a couple days and my parents were kind enough to move in to baby-sit the pups!  

Pups are now very active when they are not sleeping or nursing.  They are playing with each other, growling, barking and having an all out good time.

Even though their eyes opened a while back, they can now "see" and come over to greet me when I come in the room.

I am going to start weaning them today with ACANA large breed puppy that will be soaked in water.  It will take a few days for them to get the picture that food is to eat, and not to sit in.  I believe in gradual weaning and will let Darbi dictate how fast it goes.  Darbi is having a hard time keeping weight on right now though as she is putting out lots of milk for the little guys and she is up to over 12 cups a day of ACANA Sport.

As you can also see, pups are thinking about what is going on outside the whelping box and I will change them to a "puppy play area" with potty box in the next day or two.

Been awhile

I know it's been a couple days, so here are some pictures and a couple videos to fill the void.

The pups are now play fighting with each other and becoming much more active.

Video

More video

Sorry

My camera batteries died.  I need to get new ones tomorrow.

Pups are ALL in the big puppy collars now.

Cutest thing to happen so far...

When I was scratching Green's chest today, his little back leg started thumping.  They are sure growing up fast!

I'm a big boy now

Orange boy is the first pup to "graduate" to the larger sized collar.

Pics

A friend came over tonight and took some pictures of the pups for me with her fancy camera.  

Here are the two girls.

Green boy fast asleep.

Blue boy

The two girls again.

New legs

Blue was trying out his new legs tonight.

All pups are now 3 pounds, give or take an ounce.

Happy Birthday!

Seems like yesterday.

A big Happy One Year Old Birthday to all the Shaq x Miikka puppies.

My, how time flies!

All 7 pups are doing fantastic.

Happy Birthday to:

Eider in BC

Rosco in Saskatchewan

Lili in Alberta

Mattie in Alberta

Maggie in Alberta

Nike in Alberta

Dottie in Alberta

Eat, sleep, eat, sleep.

Pups are 13 days old.

Most exciting news is that their eyes started opening today and they are trying their legs out at standing a little bit.  These pups are SO shiny and SO healthy.

Mother-Daughter Hunt

Miikka and I went hunting today with Miikka's daughter Lili.  Not much luck in the bird department, but it was lots of fun.

More video

Poor little guy got bowled over.

One week old

Meet "Spot".  He wears the red collar with white polka dots on it.  Because we already have a "Red", I wanted to come up with another name for him.  He was the last puppy born.  He enjoyed napping in my hand last night.

Here is the rest of the gang.

They are SO shiny and SO chubby.

Pups turned 7 days old last night.  They are all still gaining 1 to 3 ounces a day and Orange boy hit the 2 pound mark on the nightly weighing.

Pups are undergoing Early Neurological Stimulation every day and had their nails cut for the first time last night.

Similar

At this age, with their little ears sticking out...the pups remind me of Ewoks.

This little guy was sleeping in my lap when the picture was taken.  He was sucking the roof of his mouth-dreaming of his mommie's boobs I guess.

Video Virgin

Day 5 pics

I love this picture of Red...he looks pretty comfy.

More pics

The pheasant is still not allowed to leave the whelping box yet.  I did a test run today and took him out, and Darbi promptly went to get him to bring him back...and then gave me a dirty look like you see here.

When they are not eating or pooping, the puppies pile up in a ball and sleep.  This is pretty much all they do right now.

They had their dew claws removed today and no one is the worse for wear for it.  

Day 3

Darbi and Green (male) were having a sleep nose to nose this afternoon.  I thought it was pretty sweet that Green was sleeping with his tongue sticking out.

Meet Pink, one of the two females.  She was the 3rd puppy born.

All the pups are doing fantastic still.  Everyone is 1 lb. 3 oz. or 1 lb. 4 oz.  Such a uniform litter.

Momma's Boy

Twice now I've gone into the whelping room to find Blue having some "quiet" time with his mother.  He enjoys sprawling himself all over her legs and falling asleep.

Just about 1

Just about 1 day old.

Pups have all been weighed and they have all gained 2 ounces.  

Everyone is doing fantastic.

Darbi is such a good mom.

In one of the photos you can see a stuffed pheasant.  Darbi has it in her head that he is puppy #8.  If I take him out of the box, she goes and gets him and brings him back in.  Kinda weird, but cute too.

Puppies are here!!

Starting at 9 last night-Darbi started having her babies!

By 3:30 in the morning we had our final count of 2 girls and 5 boys.  All pups are between 13 and 15 ounces and are doing fantastic.

Darbi is doing great as well.

I have internet now, so lots of updates to come!!