A tough week

We had a really tough week this week. We almost lost little Crusher to pneumonia. She couldn't breath last Saturday so we rushed her to the vet and they immediately put her on oxygen and antibiotic shots. It was the weekend and things always seem to go wrong when it's the weekend and no one will be there to help if it gets worse. The Animal ER is so expensive and so I decided I could care for her at home with a make shift incubator I created. We bought a 20 gallon fish tank and sealed the top with black duct tape except for an opening the size of an 8 x 10 picture frame. We took the glass from the frame and lined it with tape and used that as the flap on top to get the baby in and out of the box. Then we hooked it up to oxygen and inflated the tape side so we knew it was properly sealed. After that we put Crusher in there with a warm water bottle for something to cuddle and a few fluffy sheets so she'd have lots of things to snuggle into and gave her oxygen for a few days. She pulled through. I don't think ten minutes went by that I wasn't praying for her to get well. All the puppies have had diarreaha too from Taz having really rich milk. That is finally under control as well. Taz wasn't eating much either and her milk supply worried me. This litter has had it's challenges, as all do, but we are going to reach three weeks this Sunday and are so grateful that the babies are almost all over 3 pounds now and it looks good that they will survive now.

They sleep longer and that is a blessing too. I can actually nap between feedings and Harley is partially to thank for that. Taz is so exhausted she doesn't lick on them enough to help them go potty so they can feel good enough to sleep for longer periods of time. Harley took over that chore and "poops" the puppies after they eat. It sounds disgusting but that's what animals do so infants can thrive. At about three or four weeks they can eliminate on their own. Taz is so tired and all of this around the clock feeding is hard for her. The babies are sleeping four hours now and that is helping a lot for her and for me and Craig. It's always hardest for the first three weeks and then it's fun beyond words! The babies start walking and barking and being so cute. It makes all the sleepless nights worth it. It's much the same for human babies too. All the worry and work of a newborn is vindicated when they smile at you and make their first little baby sounds.

I knew I wouldn't be able to blog much during this time. It feels good to make an entry. This is a picture of Taz when she was a puppy. I have lots of pictures of the babies but I need time to download and re size them for the website and here. I'll post some when I get the chance.

Adele

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

In honor of St. Patty's Lucie donned her green wig. Thanks Erin O'Brien for the picture!!

One puppy left!

All the puppies are sold but one white one. She's so sweet and I'm sure we'll find her the perfect home. I put an ad into AKC a few days ago and didn't even need to because I found all the people from our website. I worry about these little babies all the time. If they are eating enough, if their little poop is the right color and if Taz is sleeping enough. It's stressful in that way but I love this. It's already been a week and the next seven will go just as fast. Well it's time to feed them.

Adele

Taz the amazing mother

Taz is a wonderful mother. I knew she would be. Her own mother Chloe was so sweet and even would raise the puppies from other litters that weren't even hers. I can't keep the babies in the warming box or the bassinet. She cries constantly to have them with her so it's been more difficult for all of us. We don't get the two hour breaks between feedings since we have to sit with her all the time to make sure she doesn't lay on one of the babies. It's exhausting but if we don't do it this way she doesn't sleep at all. She was so overwhelmed with the need to sleep she was having trouble breathing and once we put the babies with her all the time she finally fell asleep. Dr. Geiselhardt said he's only had one other mother do this to herself. I wondered if it were Taz's mother.

The babies love being able to sleep with her and have the "all you can eat" buffet going on all the time. They are so chubby and gaining at least two ounces per day. They'll double their birth weight in no time. Taz has lots of milk and it's rich as cream it seems. The babies are thriving and she adores them. Licks on them constantly and Craig and I haven't had to "poop" the puppies at all this time. Young baby puppies can't eliminate by themselves, they have to be stimulated to go and Taz does this all by herself. In past litters we've had to help with this. Everyone seems happy and clean and cared for so we're liking this part.

New pictures of Winnie

Hi Adele, here are a couple of pics of Winnie...her 1st birthday. I hope your getting some sleep and the babies are well. Love to you all,

Kristen Hopkins

Bella and her High Five!

Adele,

Thanks for sending us pictures of your new babies!! It's hard to believe that Bella was once that small! ha. Thanks for sending us the vitamins as well. All of the dogs love them and they do seem to be healthier than before! We love it. Our wedding is May 2nd. Not very far away now! I have most everything done, but still have a few details to work out. We are getting very excited! :)

Bella has gotten so big! :) We have taught her to give "hi 5", so I tried to capture her giving me a hi 5. :) She also loves sleeping under our bed :) She's almost too big to fit anymore though

Katie Porter

OHHHHH Bella does the same high five that Teddy does!! So cute!! We tell Teddy to sit and he will sit and then we say shake and he will shake or give a high five. We think its the cutest thing ever!! I will try to get a picture of him doing it.

Roxann Lopez

Teddy in New Mexico!

How exciting for you all!! The new puppies all look so adorable!! Glad that mama and babies are doing well. I need to send you pictures of Teddy. He is such a good boy and we love that little guy to pieces. He is so smart and all if our family and friends just adore him!! Pictures to come soon. :) Have a great rest of the week. Tell Harley and Tank their little boy is growing up nicely and so big!!

This picture is when Teddy was only 4 months. I know, this picture is old but I will send updated ones. But I love this picture and I have it as my wallpaper on my phone.

Roxann Lopez

Crusher has a home!

This is cute little Crusher. She was bought by Shelley Brunjak of Lakewood Colorado. We are so happy she'll be close by and Shelley was able to attend the birth. We needed lots of hands to dry the puppies and wake them up. It's such a miracle to see them be born. We just adore Shelley and know our little Crusher has a wonderful home!

Adele

The babies are here!

Taz had her babies on Sunday the 8th of March. She had five beautiful little girls. Crusher, Shredder, Spook, Scully and Scratch. Crusher is sold already and we have another one being picked out on Friday. I'm sure they'll all find wonderful homes. They are pink and perfect and I love them more than I can every express. Grandma is VERY tired though! :)

Adele

Everyone on the bed!

This is how it is. There are times when all four of them are sleeping with us and oddly enough it works. I don't even hear the snoring anymore and besides Craig says I snore louder than they do! *blushes* Everyone gets along pretty good and now that Taz is pregnant she gets to be on the bed with Harley at night. Tank is so big and heavy we're too concerned he might step on her without meaning to and injure the babies so he sleeps in the bulldog bedroom with Mugsy lately.


Poor little Taz is so tired and sleeps all day and all night. We had her check up Tuesday and Dr. Geiselhardt said she's right on schedule and looks great. This is the nerve racking time for me. The waiting for the babies to come. Taz looks so cute and so round. I'm giving her yogurt in the morning and a bowl of cut up boiled chicken every day to supplement her dog food. Extra protein is good for the babies. I know she'll be glad when she delivers these babies. I can feel them kicking and rolling around at night.

Adele

Lola at 6 months old!

Hi Adele,

I can't believe little miss Lola is already 6 months old. She definitely doesn't look like a puppy anymore. She has settled right in and is a part of the family now. She loves being outside and playing with our neighbor (she is 5). She is going through the "teething" phase right now and has managed to eat part of the wall, the molding, the couch, her toys etc. She is so destructive but, then she gives you her little "Lola" eyes and you just can't stay mad at her.

She loves her brother and sister. Her and Aphy play the Indy 500 game every morning and they have sent a number of toys to the operating room. They love playing tug-o-war. Lola lays upside down holding onto the toy and Aphy pulls her across the room with the other end of the toy. It is so funny! Lola weighed 44.4 pounds when she was spayed in late January- we can't believe how big she is. She is such a lovely dog. We will try to send more pictures soon!

Danielle