While the world is upside down due to the outbreak of a pandemic Corona virus disease we can enjoy the tranquility of our home and surroundings. Early spring this year adds some colours to our quarantine and, of course, watching puppies grow is a source of immense joy!
And they do grow!
During the very first week of their life they all doubled or nearly tripled their birth weight!
Here comes a little presentation of the little ones.
Puppy no 1, dark blue female, weight at birth 270 g, weights 720 g today
Puppy no 2, red male, weight at birth 365 g, weights 900 g today
Puppy no 3, green female, weight at birth 230 g weights 640 g today
Puppy no 4, purple female, weight at birth 300 g, weights 740 g today
Puppy no 5, light blue female, weight at birth 260 g, weights 680 g today
Puppy no 6, white female, weight at birth 360 g, weights 970 g today
All the pups are healthy and strong despite differences in body size. The white female is really big and growing even faster than the only male although they had the same weight at birth. Sometimes I think I should look after the smallest ones more, maybe they are being pushed away from the best teats?
But I do not like to interfere, Ruda is being such a clever mother and besides, they are only 6. And they gain weight every day so it should be OK.
From being a bit anxious in the beginning Ruda has transformed to a balanced and confident mother. After the delivery she had to be dragged outside for a pee on leash. She would not leave the whelping box for a second and chased away both cats and Prima while they were passing by my bedroom door.
She looked very suspiciously at any family member, except me, trying to come into the room. First 2 days she ate very little and only special food, made by me.
Now she just goes in there to nurse the babies and comes out to see what I am doing. She goes out for short walks in the woods totally relaxed and eats 4 times a day, everything I give her, even dry puppy food. The appetite is back and I am happy for that! It means her body understands the need of extra nourishment now and she cannot afford being fussy eater anymore. The rest of the pack is allowed to move freely around the house unless they stay away from the whelping box.
Prima has adjusted to sleeping outside my bedroom and going for short walks. As long as she has somebody who would throw a stick or a ball life is quite good. My son, who moved back home temporarily, takes her for long walk once a day. It has to be enough. We do not train either, maybe it is good with a short break? I will certainly get the answer for that question in the nearest future. Time flies!
We usually have one of the cats following us on our walks, today it was Rost. He is a really joyful fellow, always near me and if not, always coming in full gallop when I call. More like a dog actually! Love that!
Well, that´s all for today. The whelping box is calling. I must enjoy watching the pups and listening to the sounds they make. Best meditation in the world!
