ATB: Friday's Puppy Update - 16 Days Old

Just a brief update. My camera has been informally MIA for a few days. Actually I do know where I left it and where it is - it's just a matter of being reunited with it. This week began with the tragic news that Magnum (Hemi's brother) had been run over by a pick up truck.  It is ending with good news that this pup, soon to turn 1 years old, is home recovering well from his manor surgery to repair a pelvis that was broken/fractured in several places. Thank you to so many who expressed prayer and good wishes towards him and his family and especially to Pippin's # 1 fan - Nancy P.  God works in wonderful ways and Magnum was actually transported several times before ending up at the animal medical hospital where she 'just happens' to work.  Nancy was faithful to share the updates about Magnum and was a blessing to his sweet owner, Karen. She was a big part of what we all consider to be a miracle.
Treasure (pictured here with her mother Wish) and her puppies are doing wonderful. They change from morning to night.  Several pair of eyes are fully open now, with all of the others opening at several degrees. So cute!  Their faces are sweet and full of expression now.  They are responding to my voice when I speak gently to them while holding them close to me. I shared with one of their soon to be new owners how I love the way their little ears perk up in response to my kissy/clicky noises. I am already softly saying  "puppy puppy puppy" to them as I approach. I lay a towel on the bottom of their box and lean over to rest my head right there - not saying a sound.  It does not take long to get their attention and there are those who will come and investigate right away, others that just sit gazing wondering what in the world?, and then there are those who would like to move away. The reason for doing this - other than it is perfectly delightful to be suffocated by adventurous pups at this age - is that I am bringing a whole new experience to them, right inside of their comfort zone. All of the pups movement is really becoming much more deliberate - and very very comical. It doesn't matter what they are doing - they are a joy and a treat to spend as much time with as possible. Treasure is spending more and more time out of the whelping box as is expected.  Soon we will add the next level of height to the box so they will not climb out.  In time, climbing in and out will be a normal part of their day - but right now they are not physically or emotionally prepared for the stress of finding themselves all alone on the outside of the box.  This morning, I added their first toys.  One of them is a very hard tire tread type of ball with a bell inside.  As the pups bump against it, it rolls slowly while jingling. The other toy is also a small children's percussion instrument. The pups can investigate this with their noses and it will make a gentle sshhssshhhs noise. Both toys are about the same size as they are and because of the materials they're made of, momma cannot destroy theme. These two toys have survived a lot of puppies and their mothers as well as several of our grandchildren!

Speaking of change, when the pups do climb up and out of the box to explore their surrounding area we will pull up the carpet and then lay layers of newspapers to cover the entire floor of the room where they live. As they will easily determine one particular area to eliminate in (most not all of the time) we lay a large wooden frame over the area where they are going most of the time.  We then slowly add shavings a little bit at a time and they will figure out to use this one area.  Not all - but most.  It's also about this time which we will set a small crate in their area with the door removed. Toys will be added as well. This all becomes one great big indoor puppy playpen for several weeks. Treasure of course remains with them but this is all arranged for her to be able to get up and out easily as needed or desired to feed and interact with her babies. She does enjoy being involved with her pups right up until they go home. 

All of this is done in stages so as not to overwhelm the pups too early.  They go from the whelping box, to the puppy pen, to climbing out of the puppy pen to explore the rest of their area and eventually, we'll supervise their first excursion from indoors to outdoors as they cross the threshold of the open door.  We have eagles and hawks in abundance here so our eyes are constantly searching the sky.  They would easily swoop down upon an  unsuspecting puppy.  Last summer the pups were out running freely in the yard and John yelled "EAGLE". We quickly gathered the pups (the benefit of teaching 'puppy puppy puppy' with a clicker is they will come running) but that bird flew down very low between our house and the garage.  Consequently, we use an X-Pen that has a secure covering over the top.  There will be excursions around the yard and eventually down to the pond and to the training field - but we never ever let them get too far out of our reach. Because our pups are bird dogs, each one will be introduced to the eventual object of their ultimate devotion - a game bird in one way or another.  Perhaps, as she has done in the past, Treasure will

Their last few weeks here will be filled with extended amounts of times romping freely throughout the house with  visits from family and friends, as well as interaction with the rest of the crew. It will get busier and it will get harder. And we will be exhausted but this is where truly it becomes a labor of love.  To be doing what you love and love what you doing is the only way that a breeder really can give 100% of themselves to an ever growing litter of lively Brittany pups.  When it is time for them to leave for the first day of the rest of their lives - it is for their well being that you'll hear me say I'm glad to see them go. It is not because of the work involved, because as our friendly vet  Dr. Chapin says, we bring all this hard work on ourselves!

As the wind is blowing hard and the temps are quite chilly today it is hard to even imagine spending those warm and carefree days out in the yard with the pups.  But the sun is shining brightly, the leaves are on the trees (about a month early) and I expect time will quickly pass right before our eyes.  For those of you waiting for the first day of the rest of their lives to begin with you, we will continue to enjoy sharing as much of your pups journey as we possibly can!  I hope to have some more photos for you later this weekend.  Thank you as always for your interest in our Brittanys.  Take care and God bless you, John, Ann and our canine crew.