Happy New Year

Dottie (Shaq x Miikka 2007) wishes her little brothers and sisters a Happy New Year!

Day 6

Miikka and all her "girls". The boys were where else?...on the boob.

Sweet faces.

They are SO strong. Here Red collar stands up on his legs while going for the buffet.

So shiny. So content.

Just pure sweetness.

Day 5

Pups are home after having their dew claws removed. Everything went very well.

Here are a couple of pictures that show the puppies doing what they do best right now...sleeping.

Day 4

Here is a pic of the whelping room at my house.

It is pretty comfy with a couch for visitors and a separate heater for the pups.

Pups from this litter are a very good size and all pretty uniform.

The males are smaller than the females, which is a first for me. I've learned over time that birth size has nothing to do with how big the pups will be when they are grown. Oftentimes the smallest pup in the litter will grow up to be the largest.

For eg. "Dottie", from the last Miikka x Shaq breeding was TINY. She was 11 oz. at birth and always smaller than her littermates. When I met her and 3 of her siblings this summer, she was as big or bigger than the rest and she was most certainly larger than her mother.

But here is a rundown on the pups in order of birth anyways:

Puppy #1 - BROWN with dots Collar (female): 1 lb. at birth/1.4 lb. now

Puppy #2 - RED Collar (male): 12 oz. /1.1 lb

Puppy #3 - GREEN Collar (male): 12 oz./1.1 lb.

Puppy #4 - PINK Collar (female): 17 oz./1.7 lb.

Puppy #5 - YELLOW Collar (female): 15 oz./1.2 lb.

Puppy #6 - BLUE with dots Collar (female): 17 oz./1.8 lb.

Pups are getting their dew claws removed tomorrow. I don't like removing them past day 4, but with all the vet clinic closures between Christmas and New Years, that was my best option rather than driving them 45 minutes one way.

They have started on their Early Neurological Stimulation as well. If you're unfamiliar with that, give it a "google" and there is lots of info. I have done this on every litter I've had. Not sure if it helps, but it sure doesn't hurt.

And finally...the babes having their mid-morning meal. Everyone is doing fantastic. You wouldn't believe how shiny the little guys are and Miikka looks GREAT.

Baby Daddy

Shaq sent a nice photo of himself to me yesterday.

He is a proud poppa.

Sleeping

A peaceful rest.

Puppy's First Christmas

Thanks to my roommate Jeff for sending me the cutest pic ever.

Puppy Update

Well, the final count is 6.

4 girls and 2 boys.

Everything went great and mom and babes are happy and healthy. Not sure where the mysterious "seventh" pup went...so it seems the x-ray count by the vet was off.

My friends tell me that all pups weighed in at close to a pound at birth. They will weigh everyone again today to be sure the babies are all gaining weight and doing well.

I'll be in touch with everyone on the waiting list when I get home from Maui.

Puppy Video

Here is a video sent to me from my friends who are whelping Miikka out.

They love Miikka for the middle of the day whelping.

We're still at 5 pups...with another imminent.

PUPPIES!!

Miikka is having her puppies RIGHT NOW!

So far 3 girls and 2 boys. And more to come...

She is doing great. I'm so sad I'm not there.

But being in Maui in a good consolation. :-)

Here is the X-Ray

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

X-Ray

I took Miikka to the vet today to have a pre-whelping x-ray done. The image wasn't great, but we counted 7 spines on the x-ray. I'm still hopeful there is one or two more in there. I don't want to disappoint anyone on the waiting list.

I'm going to Hawaii from Dec. 19 to the 27. With Miikka being due on the 28th, I'm a bit nervous to leave her. The Hawaii trip was booked before she was bred.

She will continue to live in my house and will whelp out the puppies here if she has them before I get back. Trusted friends will be watching her around the clock and I know she is in good hands.

I do hope she waits until I get home though.

Turq Sold

I sold Turq this week.

I am feeling bittersweet about it.

I purchased Turq several months ago with the intention of selling him, so it comes as no surprise. I wanted to "see what he was made of" before I made the decision to sell and who to sell to.

Turq is bright, willing, tractable, a good marker and a real joy to be around.

He shows real promise as a field trial dog and has been sold to a field trialer who will keep him on Kenny's truck.

Watch for Turq in Derbies next year...I know I can't wait.

Here is Turq with his goofy face on. Ears half cocked and biting a lip.

Perfect Angels

Or not...

After a fun evening with friends last night. This is what I came home to.

Wall to wall flour.

Not sure who the culprit is, but I have a pretty good idea...

I couldn't help but laugh when cleaning up. It was pretty funny.

Freezing

It is a cold one here! New snow and very chilly temperatures.

The dogs don't mind at all though, it seems.

Darbi taking a snow bath.

Miikka (now called Porky), is sure starting to show. A pregnancy does nothing to stop her stick killing ways though.

Turq being a goof.

Darbi is feeling good in this cold weather. She's always been a dog that prefers minus 30 over plus 30.

Turq playing keep-away.