Puppy Eyes

The puppies eyes have started to open. No.1 (T-bone) and No. 3 (Belly Boy) are the first. I haven't taken any pictures this evening because it is getting dark. I will try to take some pictures tomorrow in the natural light.

However, I do have a couple of pictures I would like to share.

Following is a picture my good friend Gayla took of me and my pups on day four. Everyone has grown a lot since this picture was taken, but I think it is the best picture yet of me, and I wanted to share.

I don't know quite how to describe the following picture. Millie is one of my pack mates. She is an almost all white border collie (David calls her "unique"). At any rate she has apparently decided to adopt her own puppies.

Don't know how to break it to her but these ones definitely aren't border collies. I feel the irresistible urge to "walk up" --- must be my hormones.

Day 10

Over a few hours this morning, all of the puppies learned to stand up on all four legs. It started with No. 2 (who by noon was even able to take a few steps before crashing). Pretty amazing (and scary) to see this happening. When I enter the whelping box now they're getting to me much faster!

They are all becoming little individuals. No. 4 gave me a kiss on the nose this morning (unfortunately I didn't have the camera handy to record that special moment). No. 3, as my only boy, cuddles with me a lot and likes to stick his nose in my ear. I don't mind that a bit --- he's figured out how to wrap his Mom around his little paw. No. 1 lets out a little trill when I come back to the whelping box for feeding and sleeping --- she's my happy girl. No. 2 is the athlete - she has my legs.

Their eyes and ears are still a few days away from opening.

In other news, I was out for a long walk with David, Silken and Faolin at daybreak. We've had a lot of coyote activity around here lately so there were lots of interesting smells in the woods. I love the walks --- but I love being a Mom as well and rush back to my pups as soon as we return.

Puppy #1

Puppy #1 now weighs 967 grams (2.1 pounds). She has increased her weight by 140% since birth.

Puppy #2

Puppy #2 now weighs 974 grams (2.2 pounds). She has increased her weight by 105% since birth.

Puppy #3

Puppy #3 now weighs 1,012 grams (or 2.2 pounds). He has increased his weight by 130% since birth.

Puppy #4 (cuddling with No. 2)

Puppy #4 now weighs 1113 grams (or 2.4 pounds). She has increased her weight 130% since birth.

One Week Old

My pups have made it to the one week mark. I am able to spend more time out of the whelping box, and the pups are learning to cope with my more frequent absences. When I return, they love to eat and then curl up on my legs for some cuddle time. I must admit that those moments are my favourite.

Everyone was weighed today:

#1 - 788 grams (1.7 pounds) up 95% since birth.

#2 - 778 grams (1.7 pounds) up 62% since birth.

#3 - 823 grams (1.8 pounds) up 91% since birth.

#4 - 890 grams (almost 2 pounds) up 82% since birth.

It won't be too many more days until my pups eyes and ears open. Soon they will be walking (and climbing and barking) and then all bets will be off.

As I embark on this new stage, I am resolved to approach my important mothering tasks with the quiet calm (and authority) that I try to bring to all tasks in life. However, you might hear some complaints from me over the coming weeks and for that I will ask both your indulgence and understanding. I'm certain my pups can't be any more difficult than pack mate Faolin, who has taught me more about patience (and indulgence) than any other living creature.

Waiting for Tap's Puppies

Wake us up when there is some news.

Number 2 (Sticky) went "over the top (of Mom)" today. She was at Mom's back and climbed over (rather than going under) to get to the diner. Early predictions? Sticky will be the first to climb out of the whelping box.

Day 4 - Getting Caught Up on My Sleep

I can confirm that all pups are tri-colors. Sticky (No. 2) has a few brown hairs coming out on her cheeks. Millie Jr. (No. 4) has the brindled cheeks (just like me) and tan eyebrows.

Last night I had 3 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was a devine experience.

My pups are getting into a good routine. I was able to go for a walk through the woods with Silken, Faolin and David this morning and it was wonderful. Unfortunately didn't find any rotting deer hides (although I looked high and low) like Momma Pat and sister Tap.

Day 3

Every one has put on between 100 and 150 grams. I'm feeding them too well.

Thanks (and Day 2 update)

Cait here.

I have a lot of people and dogs to thank.

First, my special neighbour Denise spent many hours with me during my labour. She raises Siberian Huskies (I try not to hold that against her) and humans (2 of the cutest dog focused children you will ever meet). She conferred with David and rubbed my tummy when I needed it most, made the trip to our vets, and made sure my puppies were safe on the ride home.

My vets Dr. Michelle and Dr. Lex at Northumberland Veterinary are pretty amazing. When my labour stalled they took charge and made sure I was safe and that my puppies would be okay. I was asleep for some of this experience but I am told that the action was skillful, fast, obsessively organized (border collies like that attention to detail) and dramatic --- I woke up to meet my puppies and feed them for the first time.

Thanks to Fiona, Tap and Momma Pat for all the kind words and support. Good luck next week Tap. Motherhood is wonderful.

Thanks to Doug and Gayla (and Mae) for keeping things going at the farm. We had some early lambs this year and the all nighters haven't just been happening here. I can hardly wait to get to the island to show you the new family.

Thanks to Barry for coming over to visit me last night. Barry knows border collies and he is going to provide a home for one of my pups. Last night he came over to pay attention to me, brought liver treats (my favourite) and told me how much he liked my pups. He also built my whelping box, which has been working so well.

There are many more that I need to thank, and I will get to that personally over the coming weeks. I need to finish off by giving a special thanks to Faolin and Silken, my pack mates. They have stayed well away from the puppies (even though I know they are very interested) and have been giving me lots of kisses and support when we have been going out for bathroom breaks. I know that both of them will be good Aunties once the time is right to get the pups involved in the pack dynamics.

Now that I have the thanks over I can report that last night was a good night. The pups are getting into a good eating and sleeping routine, and my incision was not as uncomfortable as it was during the first night. Things were probably helped by the first trimming of puppy nails --- it is an indescribable feeling to have a pup spinning on a nipple while simultaneous digging razor sharp puppy nails into your mammaries.

The pictures are of the pups from early this morning. They are now almost two days old.

I have also given the puppies "pet" names. #1 is also known as "T-bone" (for obvious reasons). #2 is also called "Sticky" (again for obvious reasons). #3 is affectionately called "Belly(boy)" because he tends to nurse while lieing on his back --- I see more of his belly than anything else. #4 is being called "Millie 2" because she spends every moment she can on a nipple --- like my pack mate Millie she is obviously food driven.

16 Hours Old

These aren't the best pictures, but we're pretty tired in these parts. We'll try to do better in the coming days.

After a long labour, Cait required a C section. The decision was made after trying a number of techniques at the vets which might have avoided the surgery scenario.

Everything had been going quite well, with lots of nesting overnight and Cait's water breaking at about 12:30 yesterday. Unfortunately, labour stalled over the next two hours and at that point I was concerned for Cait's welfare, and that of the puppies. Cait wasn't in distress and I could still pick up great puppy heart beats. So we headed off to the vets.

Upon surgery, it was discovered that two puppies were attempting to be first out. Unfortunately neither was willing to be number 2, and they appeared to have met at the connection between the uterine horns and the birth canal. This whelping was not going to happen naturally.

Fortunately, all the puppies including the little girl who had been t-boned by her sister entering the canal, were fighters and came into this world yelping in synchrony. It was quite the experience to witness all of them, together, taking their first breaths.

We've had a good night. Cait doesn't appear to be too sore. She is a very attentive Mom, all the pups have put on weight already, and she is doing everything (and more) that she needs to do.

When Cait gets rested up, she will be re-taking the writing duties on this blog. She will likely have more to say.

She was wagging her tail this morning, very proud and relaxed and settling into her new role as Mom.

Mom and Puppies - Day 63 and right on schedule

Cait is too tired to report directly tonight. But tomorrow, I'm sure she will have something to say about the experience.

Just the highlights tonight. Turns out there are four puppies --- three females and one male. Coloring is predominately black with some tan and variations on the white collars and blaze. They were born around 6:00 p.m. this evening.

Everyone is fine, although there is a story to be told. For tonight, we are happy to report that everyone is resting and eating and then resting again.

Day 62

This is not my idea. I posed for these pictures only after being bribed with liver. Please don't dwell (or redistribute).

I'll get my waistline back a lot quicker than David will get his.

Thoughts of Moms and Puppies

Well today I did start slowing down. A little.

Saw Michelle my vet yesterday and it has been confirmed (as best as these things can be confirmed) that I'm carrying five puppies. David is still thinking that next Wednesday will be the due date, but Michelle is leaning towards Friday, March 21st. I'm hoping David's guess is right. It is time.

Now that I am on the verge of becoming a mom, I was thinking back to when I was a little puppy and my very special Mom, Pat. I have fond memories of my time as a puppy with Fiona, Mom, my littermates and even Spur. Thought I would share a couple of my special photos with Mom.

Day 53

Sorry that I haven't been in touch for a while. It is not my fault - David has been very busy at work, getting the nursery ready, and complaining about all the snow.

It should be about 10 days to go now. My pups are a very busy bunch and most active in the evening hours. I was weighed yesterday, and came in at a whopping 42.5 pounds. Keep in mind that my normal weight is 34-36 pounds, and I had dropped to 32 pounds on day 29 (the day of the ultrasound).

David has been able to pick up little heartbeats with a stethoscope and I am finally getting comfortable with all the movement and kicking. About 10 days ago I tried various lie down strategies, but the pups don't seem interested in where I chose to rest --- they just keep moving. So I now just try to wait it out although sometimes I like to have my tummy rubbed when the pups are active.

I still want to play and exercise as much as ever, but David stopped the frisbee playing a long time ago. So I'm left to run at top speed through the deep snow --- I figure if the puppies can jostle me, I should be able to jostle the puppies.