72 Hours Update

Treasure is doing wonderful, she has plenty of milk, has turned into a chow hound, and is back to her playful self.  She's enjoying several romps around the yard throughout the day.  I am going to intentionally distance myself from her for a brief time in hopes of helping shape her behavior and keep her priorities upon her pups.  Emotionally and psychologically Treasure is vulnerable right now and as she is especially attached to me it's important she does not become moreso.  I have seen mothers completely overlook their pups in favor of spending time with their favorite 'human'.  On the other hand, even as I type I have one eye on the monitor where I can see and hear Treasure with her pups.  Any extended puppy cry or yelp will bring me running as well as when I know Treasure is ready for a break.  I have spent most days and several nights in the dog house now for almost a week but I would not have it any other way.  And there is something to be said to wake up right in the middle of the happy energy and joy of All Things Brittany as they rise to greet the day right along with me!  Gotta love it! John and I take turns spending extended periods of time and he has now nicknamed all the pups.  Speaking of pups!!!

At 72 hours they are all thriving, nursing, active, healthy and each puppy has gained weight.   Our vet appointment yesterday went extremely well.  Pups' dewclaws were removed and tails docked with John in attendance. Treasure and her 11 pups were each examined and our vet was very impressed and spoke highly of all.  We are blessed to work with several vets in the area who know us quite well.  We were told that the two littlest pups were just a bit dehydrated (wrinkly skin) and advised us to personally oversee their nursing times so they don't get pushed aside.  We've been sure to put them upon the 'preferred nipples' and let them nurse by themselves before the rest of the pups approach mom.  Already there are distinct personalities and characteristics beginning to emerge. We know who the piggies are and in fact one is nicknamed "Arnold" (Remember Green Acres, and Arnold the pig?!)   John did really well nicknaming the pups and this will make it easier for all concerned as we monitor their development.

I do have many pictures and a couple of brief videos.  Remember the quality will not be great, the pups are under an infra - red heat lamp and sometimes the pictures reflect that, other times it does not.  Honestly though I barely have enough time to sit and type these blogs never mind do photos and videos. But they will come.  I hope to get a Picassa slide show going with all the pictures here at once!

I hope that Pam and Sam are free this weekend to come for Treasure to introduce them to Gibsons pups. They are just as proud and happy as we are.  John and I believe that Gibson was a perfect choice and it was a no brainer after seeing what he produced previously with Treasures mother.  I was a little concerned of the numbers of pups this time - in a different way!  We are not a "Maine Breeding Kennel", which is defined by number of pups born/sold in a calendar year.  The cut off is 16!  We are licensed as a municipal kennel, inspected and held to strict and ethical standards but our primary purpose is not breeding, it is hunting, competitive field sports, and showing with dogs that we love spending our lives with as family companions extrodinaire!

Treasures weight is down understandably.  But she is lean, fit, muscular, and strong.  I believe that is why she had such an easy time of whelping.  I don't know if I mentioned it before - she had 3 breech deliveries, completely unassisted - things happened so fast with her we didn't even know it until after the fact. Treasure has puppy food in front of her 24/7 which is supplemented 4 times a day with a variety of combination foods that we prepare for her including:

• Nursing Mother's Pudding (a recipe similar to the rich cream filling for cream puffs)
• Yogurt
• Salmon oil
• Natural Brown Rice
• Boiled Chicken
• Chicken Broth

We have been fortunate to find whole chickens on sale so we boil them, pull the meat off, strain and save the broth.

For those of you who are getting a puppy, interested in one, or who just would like to follow the pups development this is where one of J & A's Brittanys "required reading" books comes in handy.  The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete have several chapters devoted to explaining each phase of neo natal puppy growth. In an early post on July 2, 2009 we covered other aspects of pup development and the stimulation which we have already begun  which you may enjoy looking at by clicking here: Pups Early Neurological Stimulation . Each of Treasure and Gibbys pups have their own development page with their picture attached, including any identifying marks, their nicknames, weights, and other important notations.  We are interested about all strengths, weaknesses, development of size, rate of growth etc. in all our Brittanys.

Okay, this is about all I'm going to be able to get in.  Another planet is being heard from!  Take care and God Bless, John, Ann, Treasure, pups and All Things Brittany.