Dilly and Dora playing, Madam not really doing much, and Eddie being terrorized by a horsefly.
The classic games never go out of fashion 😄
Puppies busy making noice on the pot lids which are laced with peanut butter (gets them used to different bounces and textures).
I’m posting lots of lovely and cute pictures and videos. I know - it’s deliberate 😄 I want you to know that the puppies are doing well. They are. Simply put, they are fantastic! I’m thrilled with them.
However, or essentially, I’m posting what I want you to see. Because this is Facebook, and I don’t like to hang out my dirty laundry more than the next person.
It has occurred to me that I might be making breeding dogs look easier and more fun than it is. Breeding a litter is not for the faint hearted. It’s not about cute puppies, taking pictures and making some extra dollars.
Raising a litter is hard work, long days and short nights. It is about weight charts, feeding regimes, laundry, more laundry, worming, poop, poop inspections, screaming puppies, runny tummies, worry, lack of sleep, skipped showers, beans on toast dinners, a house that looks borderline unlivable, because there is always something else that needs doing... and 2 million flies 🦟
The most rewarding part is seeing your puppies thrive and develop into beautiful specimens though. It’s amazing! And finding beautiful homes, that you know will take care of them and love them more than anything else. That’s amazing!!! You meet so many wonderful people this way. However, I simply don’t have the energy to respond to messages and emails that are along the lines of “how much are your puppies”? If I answered such a message I would not be polite 🗡💀🔥 And I like to be polite.
Anyway. Aside from that - I am absolutely thrilled. Lots of lessons learnt from previous litters, and I learn something new with every litter and every day. We’re out of the woods. Puppies are 5 weeks and we’re smashing it!
Dilly has decided to start purging her dinner for the puppies to eat. On the couch. So helpful and thoughtful. Thanks Dilly 🤭😫 So while the covers are in the wash (because there is ALWAYS more laundry to do) I cleverly blocked off the couch, so the pups wouldn’t get on. Apart from that they do... 😄 they are just
We are 5 weeks old today - and celebrated by having a bath followed by basking and playing under the heat lamp. A rare occasion of clean puppies + clean bedding + clean toys! Long may it last 😆
While everyone is asleep, little Mr Green Heart is having a one man party.
We know you’re there Food Lady! 🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼🍼
I best get on with it then - it was nice to sit down for 4 minutes ☕️🍫
Puppies are 5 days old today. We split them into two groups from the start, so that feeding is more manageable for everyone. This is the smallest 7 puppies, that ranged from 349g-447g at birth.
When not feeding, the groups spend time (2-3hrs) in a Humidicrib/ICU which currently is set to 31°C, which is the ideal temperature for puppies at this age. The optimized environment helps them rest, develop and grow without any disturbances.
The puppies have started leaving for their new homes. It is a bit weird and emotionally draining, and I have to get used to counting to 6 instead of 9. And less again in the coming days. The boys are asleep and the girls are doing their thing, and keeping me amused.
What the heck is that?! Clearly, this is not Ella’s first rodeo, and the pups quickly understand who is the supreme overlord around here 🐈
The puppies are just shy of 8 weeks old, and are a delightful handful to put it mildly. I am very pleased with their growth and development, and they are a very harmonious little pack. We have expanded the puppy run and they have decided that the deck is where the party’s at 😄
My puppy funnel is working 😆
I could watch this a hundred times 😂 Just go to bed already!
Feeling conflicted 😐 Like most, I’m not a huge fan of Ibises, but when this guy picks up every single scrap from the yard, I can’t help but feel a little bit grateful, as this limits the amount of flies. Let nature take it’s cause? 🤷🏼♀️
