Pups continue to grow as 'hands on' socialization continues. Around day 12 pups enter the 'transitional period' as their eyes open and they learn to walk. Pups are becoming aware of each other, and using scent differentiation to tell each other - and us - apart.
Date(s): 5/27/02 - 6/2/02. Album by RatpiT Kennels. Photos by Theresa Baker & Robert Heller. 1 - 30 of 97 Total. 761 Visits.
Such a treat to look at all the photos, I enlarge them and smile - Laurie D. Janikowski, Mon, 3 Jun 2002 7:35AM
1 8 day old brood. Xena sits with her 8 day old brood, and looks on in anticipation of the socializing ritual that will follow.
2 Q-tip between the toes tickles We handle the pups in birth order so we can keep them straight. Here Bob works a Q-tip between Astro's toes.
3 Nova nose down.... Nove is tipped nose down for 5 seconds.
4 Belly up! Nova is tipped on her back for 5 seconds.
5 Cool breeze! Nova is placed in the bowl for 5 seconds. The towel is dampened and towel and bowl have been in the fridge and retain a chill.
6 No big deal... Xena nurses the pups in the holding bed used when the pups have been thru all 5 stresses. These daily episodes are nolonger a great concern for Xena. She isn't happy when the pups cry, but she isn't stressed out by it.
7 Bedding has been changed... Time to let go and return to the nest!
8 Reality hits...... "My life for the next two weeks - cleaning and nursing, nursing and cleaning! This has gotten old real quick!"
9 Awww! Again Zenith seeks the summit top her brother Astro!
10 Its warming up! Xena pants to dissipate heat. The cover is off the nest and the ceiling fan is on to cool things off a bit.
11 Yet again! Time for the 9 day old pups to get stimulated. We record the weights, use the watch to time the excercises, and the bowl is always cool because it lives in the fridge!
12 All present and accounted for! Xena sniffs out Nova's rear - "Do you need to be pottied?"
13 *Sigh* The pups have grown such that Xena can sit to nurse them - and after lying on her side for the last week, sitting up to nurse feels pretty good!
14 Silly Bennie....... On his back almost sitting - he's done this before!
15 Endless chore..... Cleaning puppy butts is a never ending chore at this stage of the game, but in only about 10 days these pups will be starting to potty on their own.
16 Keeping cool... Xena pants to dissipate heat and the pups are spread out, belly up to dissipate extra heat also. Time to open a window!
17 Good to the last drop! Cosmos is clamped on to that nipple!
18 Zenith again on top... But atleast she is making it easy for her momma to potty her!
19 10 day old brood... Xena eats constantly to keep up with milk production demands! She is on Innova puppy kibble, with a calcium supplemnt.
20 Getting her licks in.... Xena cleans off Astro -who is atop his sister Zenith for a change!
21 And you too! Next Xena cleans off Zenith - its a never ending task!
22 Xena looks on... Nursing pups have no idea what is in store, but Xena has a good idea!
23 Its time to tickle toes! Xena holds the fort down while Bob administers the toe tickle! Pups were quite vocal at the start of this type of handling but are now nearly silent when they are put thru the steps.
24 Upright position next... Bob holds Nova in an upright position for 5 seconds. In the background is the removable cardboard hood for the nest, used to provide a more secure feel for Xena, and to retain heat.
25 Don't go! Xena prepares to shift back to the nest now that the excercises are over and the bedding has been changed.
26 Pile o' pups! Pups await the return to the nest. Cosmos is up on the edge to the left; directly behind him is the Duke. Sandiwiched left is Astro and then Bennie. Facing the other direction is Elroy and Zenith farthest right. Got it?
27 Endless task... Xena cleans hiney but good!
28 It never ends.... After cleaning all the pups, Xena next goes after the bedding. Xena is a good momma - she keeps the nest spotlessly clean. A clean environment is the first 'building block' to having a pet with clean habits in the house!
30 Astro Here's his body. His coloring is white/red-sable. I am thinking his registered name will be "RatpiT's Harvest Moon", in honor of his sole spot and of his sire.
