Eyes open and legs staring to work :-)

Pups are developing fast, all have now started to open their eyes, some are fully open, others are just peeping. Time is flying, won't be long before they start escaping the whelping boxes and eating their first solid foods, then the fun really begins :-) There are just 3 black boys still looking for homes.

Pupdate

Unfortunately it became apparent, a few hours after being born, that one of Audrey's pups had a cleft palette. This is where the roof of the mouth, for some reason, hasn't fully sealed, meaning that the pup is unable to suckle properly. Although it is possible to try and repair this, it is highly risky and has a poor chance of success, so I had to make the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep.

One week on and the rest of the pups are flourishing, all are growing well and are nice and chunky, though a couple of Spirits are a bit on the small side. Audrey is however happy to help out and give the tiddlers top up feeds. The two mums are quite happy to share the living room, Spirit is not worried if Audrey wants to say hello to her pups, but the same cannot be said if Spirit approaches Audrey's babies, I suppose being top dog affords you certain privileges.

Two of Spirits black boys and two of Audrey's black boys are still available.

Just to add to the mix, Miss Tibbs is pregnant and I suspect that Bob is also expecting. This may sound crazy, but I think I have the timing just about worked out. The pups should be leaving home just prior to the kittens reaching an age where they want to start exploring. I have tried condensing things a little this year as I need to allow some fairly clear time over the summer holidays to spend with my two legged family :-)

Another long night

Audrey went into 1st stage of labour at lunchtime yesterday, by late evening she had started pushing and her 1st pup, a cream girl, was born just after 1am, she was quickly followed by another cream girl, phantom girl and a black boy. Things then slowed down a bit and another black boy and an apricot boy joined them in the next couple of hours.

The 6th pup was born just before 3:30am but Audrey continued to push. After watching her for over 2 hours I decided she needed to be checked out, so shortly after 6am we were at the vets where she was xrayed, which showed that all she was trying to expel was the placentas, phew.

Audrey is now back home and loving being a mum again. Spirit couldn't have been more relaxed whilst Audrey was having her babies, lol.

All the girls and phantoms are spoken for but we still have 4 beautiful black boys (2 of which will carry the phantom gene, 2 of which are likely to carry the phantom gene) and an apricot boy. Please give me a ring if you would like more information on any of the boys.

Audrey felt left out

Audrey obviously doesn't want Spirit hogging the limelight for too long, so has started in 1st stage of labour, her temp has dropped, she is panting and has mild tremors. This stage can last 24/48hrs but as Audrey has caught me out before (her 1st pup was born in transit on the way to our walk about 90 mins after she polished her breakfast off!) I am not taking any chances and will be staying put with her.
The cam will follow her whelping and then I will alternate it, Spirit one day, Audrey the next whilst the pups are still in the whelping boxes.

We have puppies :-)

Spirit has just proved herself to be the most laid back mother I have ever seen. She showed very slight signs that she was in labour yesterday, occasionally doing a little panting and finding a cuddly toy to nurse, she ate all 3 of her meals with gusto and to be honest her signs were so mild I almost wondered about going to bed and checking her in the small hours.

I am glad I didn't do that as at 2:45am, with no nesting or panting, she popped out a little black puppy, the next 3 followed in the space of 30mins and she then went on to have a further 4 pups in the next 3 1/2 hrs. The only sad part is that she did have a 9th pup, but it didn't look quite right and was really tiny, it was stillborn and I made the decision not to try and revive it.

It looks like we have 2 phantom boys, 1 phantom girl, 1 black girl with tan markings under her tail, 3 black boys and a pale apricot/cream girl. Mum and pups are all doing well.

They're coming!!

Spirit is having her pups, 1st one born 2:45am Monday. Webcam is up an drunning

Busy times :-)

Yesterday was a 1st for me, Cash was shown at Crufts! I had hoped to have someone experienced to take him in the ring for me, as I do not feel comfortable showing dogs, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way. Having said that I am actually pleased that I took him in myself, although we didn't get placed Cash was such a good boy, his tail wagged all the way round and true to form he struggled to keep all 4 feet on the floor, he was also very confident, which, considering this was only the 2nd time he had been shown, was wonderful. I know it's a cliche, but I really do feel that I brought the best dog home.

Spirit and Audrey are continuing to grow, Spirit is due next Monday and has just been bathed and clipped ready for the day. As always Graham and I are playing guess the number of pups, I have plumped for 10, Graham and Emily will place their bets this evening.

Not to be left out of it, the cats have now been mated, all 3 girls have been mated over the last fortnight, though we are not expecting Sybil to conceive as she is getting on a bit now and rather portly :-)