ATB: The First Nine Days

COMMUNICATION A few times in the past few days I have tried to sit down to compose a blog post but it hasn't happened.  Instead, I have fallen asleep no matter what time of day it's been.  I've also tried to follow conversations on Facebook privately or publicly without any success. My e-mail correspondence is way behind as well. As far as the telephone, well that is a non-issue because I do not do telephone calls. That's John's department and he's getting pretty good at texting too, God love him.

I've wanted to share each and every moment of these past 9 days that have been spent with Pippin and her little family of three. I just find it hard to put it all into writing.  I have taken many photographs though and shared them with Wilson's owners and those who are waiting for their puppy. A lot of pictures are posted on Facebook and a few here on this blog. Usually I am much more adept at writing for "All Things Brittany."  I'm going to chalk it up to exhaustion which has come at me from many levels not the least of which is the ongoing recovery process from my total knee replacement surgery in the spring. Having said that, this is my sincere effort to bring you up to date.

PUPPY NAMES   Eleta, Kiba, and Amie's litter nicknames were carefully researched.  Kira (Wilson's owner) and Julie (Bullet's owner) offered suggestions.  These three precious survivors of the litter of eight ARE the "Desires of the Heart" litter and they are chosen, beloved, and protected. 

PRECIOUS & FEW  (are the moments we two can share). Either John or I slept on the cot in the 'puppy cave' every night last week. We referred to the turns we were taking as shifts.  I'd have the day shift, he'd have the night shift or vice versa.  Although October is always an extremely busy month here for all the right reasons, we are well prepared to manage a normal whelping and raising of a litter at this time.  Even so it seemed our own well laid plans would work against us this month and suddenly here it is mid-October which is our favorite month of the entire year. Time has stood still for us this month because Pippin's needs and those of her puppies have not only required, but demanded our utmost attention regardless of previous commitments to family, friends, clubs, and others.  As difficult as it is to "say no" it is equally and absolutely impossible to be spontaneous.  I am thankful for those who respect and understand how precious each moment of each day is to us right now and the depth of our dedication to Pippin and her puppies.

PUPPY CAM  The private live-stream of the puppies has been enjoyed by those who can view it. It is an intimate and beautiful glimpse into the near reverent environment where Kiba, Eleta, and Amie live in their neo-natal stage with their beautiful momma, Pippin. She had to go back to the vets one day because a stitch was coming out but it was taken care of with (of all things) superglue and laser. We have finished up with her antibiotics and pain relief medication. Her appetite has returned and she enjoys all the pampering and spoiling we are giving her.  The pups move around the whelping box effortlessly and are extremely strong and agile.  I like to see their birth weight double by 10 days of age and they have reached that goal.  I've already trimmed their toenails and this will be done every 3rd day. Doing this gets them use to it plus it also saves Pip's tummy from getting scratched up.  Her puppies little rubbery ears have now developed into hairy little flaps which soon will be capable of detecting sound.  The muzzles which were pink and fleshy now have fuzzy puppy hair on them. They look less like aliens and more like puppy dogs.

PUPPY BREATH / NEONATAL PERIOD  I love puppy breath and am always anxious for my first 'hit' of it.  It is an intoxicating and addictive scent which many, many breeders wish could be somehow preserved! The sweet breath of a little puppy defines description.  My interaction with these little puppies right now is deliberate and intentional.  When I pick a puppy up, roll her over onto her back, or gently rub her muzzle it is to observe her response. Our interaction with the pups will have a profound effect upon their development at this point in time and will increase daily. I also check under the little nubby tail to be sure Pippin is keeping her pups clean and she sure is! The first few days however before their tails were docked that was not the case and several times a day little bums were bathed in warm water.  Pippins licking serves to stimulate the pups to eliminate something they are not able to do on their own for awhile longer.

I expect that eyes will begin to open by this weekend.  That signifies the end of the neo-natal development period, lasting up to 2 weeks, and the period in which the puppy can only respond to smells, being touched, and being warm.  They cannot eliminate on their own yet nor can they control body temperature. We keep Wilson & Pippin's pups warm through the use of an overhead brooding type heat lamp, an Eden Pure infrared heater, and of course through the warmth of their beautiful momma.  At first the pups seem to be indifferent to the presence of each other other than climbing up and over or bumping into their sisters.  As this period draws to an end there will be a more deliberate seeking out of each other and greater interaction among them.  During this entire period the amazing relationship between the pups and their mother has been developing, primarily through the licking, pawing, grooming of Pippin.  She's also marking them with her scent as well as grooming/licking at herself so they are identified with her.

SWIMMING  Speaking of their beautiful momma she had a bit of a spontaneous moment of her own this morning.  The weather here in Maine has been absolutely gorgeous and today was no exception.  Daily, Pippin and I are getting out together for strolls around the yard, perhaps a game of fetch, or just sitting together watching the leaves fall.  John was pulling some logs out on the tractor and I waved to him just in time to see Pippin running down to the pond.  We looked at each other hopelessly knowing full well our efforts to dissuade her would prove to be futile as the Pippinator was definitely feeling better!!  Sure enough, she disappeared from sight down over the bank but just as quickly emerged on the other side and, never missing a beat, ran back to where we were watching her. Pippin had indeed taken a polar dive into the pond and was soaking, wringing wet.  I took her back into the puppy cave and closed off entry to her pups.  Reaching for a towel to cover the grooming table I persuaded her to climb up onto it. With one hand on Pippin and the other on the blow dryer I quickly was able to clean, dry, and brush her within a couple of minutes. Her stitches are nearly closed up now but I still wanted to be sure her underside was completely warm and dry.  Not quite a spa day but Pippin obviously was quite pleased with the whole episode.

ROSES, PUPPY BLANKETS, & NOTES  A week ago tomorrow (Thursday) two special deliveries arrived here at ATB.  "Wilson" sent Pippin and their daughters a lovely floral arrangement of a dozen long stemmed roses.  There were 8 pink roses for each of their daughters and 4 red roses for Pippin. The pink roses arrived at the florist by special order that day as they did not have any there. I think Wilson is quite a special 'guy' and his owners, Pete & Kira, are very special too.  It is a week later and the roses are all still looking as fresh as the day they were delivered. I have taken special care of them, trimming the stems, changing the water, and gently removing any petals that need it. Those petals which I've removed I am trying to dry and save. The other delivery that day was from "Aunt Julie" who mailed her beautiful crocheted puppy blankets down for the pups. Each puppy blanket is created with a whole lot of love and for several years now she has made one for every puppy to take to it's new home. The next day a lovely and meaningful letter of love and sympathy arrived in the mail from "Deb" in Rhode Island. She has three beautiful Brittanys, the youngest one is "Pearl" and she is Wilson's full sister and littermate.  My friendship with Deb began right her on this blog as a matter of fact, and it was God who connected us without a doubt.

Actually God does a very good job of connecting many of the wonderful ATB families.  It's not a requirement that we share a "like minded faith" but many times we do and I think it's quite awesome.

MARYANN & ZUKO  With all that happened last weekend a very significant announcement is missing.  It is worthy of it's own post as we announce our newest AKC Junior Hunter.  I'll take care of that soon, I promise.

Well there is a debate on television for the gubernatorial candidates for the state of Maine.  I'm going to watch it. My candidate is a lively one to say the least!  Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, and your prayers for John and me, and of course for Pippin and her 3 daughters and the rest of the our canine crew.