STORMY AND IKE'S
"MY THREE SONS"
born 3-15-2009
Although Stormy's delivery was not as we would have liked, she and the three boys are strong and healthy and doing great. After an emergency
C-section on Sunday morning-Stormy jumped right into being a loving, nurturing mom barely out of her anesthesia. The hospital staff was impressed and so am I. She has three strapping young men --lovely pups.
The picture above is right before labor started getting serious. She definitely knows something is up!! She settled quickly back at home and the pups took everything in stride as well.
The last few moments before Stormy finally closed her eyes to rest after a long night and following day. Sadie named the little guys before we even got home from the hospital. Ivan has the blue collar, Stewart the green, and Mickey is the black boy.They don't often keep their names, but we like to make it personal as long as they are with us.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? PSALM 8:3-4
First Week...
The boys are a week old today and are growing quickly into little chunkies. Stormy is reluctant to leave them even to go outside and keeps a very watchful vigil over them continually. They are quiet and content with all her undivided attention. And their little round tummies seem quite pleased with the uninterrupted buffet!
IVAN
MICKEY
STEWART
Their gorgeous heads are already quite obvious and their dark pigment is already showing nicely. All three are strong and vigorous boys with lovely coats.
Stormy and Ike have outdone themselves in these three!
Two Weeks Old...
STEWART
MICKEY
IVAN
Mickey has opened his eyes and I'm sure the other two will be close behind. The boys tip the scales at over four pounds each now and are fat and happy!! As you can see below, Stormy is doing well and continues to be an outstanding mom. The pups look huge compared to her. They are growing so rapidly. I can hardly wait for them to be up and running around and to see what personalities are hiding in these little furrballs!
Three Weeks...
and then there were four!
We now have an adopted daughter in the litter named Bella. She belongs to a friend who had only one pup in her litter and we didn't want her to be raised alone, so Stormy graciously agreed to invite her into the clan. As you can see-Stormy has included her as if she were her own. She is a week older than the boys, so she is a bit more active and gives them the runaround. It won't be long until the big ol' boys pay her back! They are almost as big as she is now!
IVAN
Stormy and Bella
Not only did the boys open their eyes this week, but they enjoyed their first trip outside to soak in the sun for a few hours and Mickey even checked out mom's bowl for the first time...making certain he cleaned up every last drop of her cottage cheese. This coming week they'll have their first meal of puppy mush and we'll let them explore the puppy yard outside a bit more. The pictures below are Stewart enjoying a movie with Sadie until he fell asleep in her arms. Totally relaxed!
This is Ivan sacked out...these boys have no trouble relaxing! There's Mickey below with his big bright eyes and gorgeous head...and Mr. Ivan with eyes open now too. Stewart has those sweet eyes and loves sleeping with Sadie.
Four Weeks Old
STEWART
IVAN
MICKEY
BELLA
The gang is up and running now...eating real food, playing outside, wrestling with one another and exploring the house. Their little personalities are starting to develop and it's fun to have Bella, who is a week older than the boys, remind us of what's to come. They have become snuggle bunnies and love to cuddle up on the couch with us in the evenings after their romp around the living room. They are easily climbing out of the whelping pen now and enjoying a bit of independence.
Five Weeks!
Miss Bella
Missy Bella is the pistol! Cute as a bug and quite the personality. Above she's playing tug of war with the string on my shirt while I'm trying to get a picture of her. Get ready big brother Bodie, you'll have an energetic playmate in Bella.
STEWART
Sweet Stewart is a happy little guy who likes to drink from INSIDE the water bowl and carry toys in tandem all around the puppy yard with Bella. He barks at my feet to be picked up and runs to greet me. He's the cute smiley guy that makes you smile back!
MICKEY
Mickey is very social-usually the first to check something out (right behind Bella, of course!) and is the only one that won't let Bella boss him around! He's adventurous, playful and is always the first at the gate or door when he hears my voice. He is always full of kisses.
COOPER AKA IVAN
Cooper, formerly Ivan, is Mr. Photogenic. For one thing, I can catch him being still--not always an easy task for a 5 week old lab puppy! Cooper is Mr. Mellow and laid back. He's usually the one who sneaks in after the tussle to steal the toy when it's left by the wayside. He is a snuggle bunny.
This picture cracked me up. You have Bella in the midst of the game giving me the eye and Cooper preferring to enjoy the game lying down!! The pups are so much fun and entertainment now. I can hardly believe they'll only be here 3 more weeks!
Six Weeks Old
This is Coda (formerly Stewart). In this picture his expression reminds me so much of his daddy Ike. He is an easy going wise little guy. He is quite the handsome boy and little lover.
Coda and Bella
Here's our gorgeous Angus boy.
He's an adventureous little guy and quite the ladie's man! My Sadie has a soft spot for the little black Angus! Here he is spying around the corner getting ready to pounce on an unsuspecting brother.
Here's Cooper with those classic sad labbie eyes. I see his face and can't help but smile. He is a sweet mellow boy and is nicknamed snugglewuffles by my son. Very appropriate! You can't help but cuddle this guy.
Last, but certainly not least in any way, is our dear Miss Bella. She is a darling...precocious and smart...cute and loving. She'll leave us this week as she is a week older than the boys. We'll all miss our little girlie.
This is one of my favorite ages...the pups are very active, playful, eager to interact with us and be loved on. Their little personalities keep us all entertained and they are so much like babies now...
...they play hard....
...and sleep hard!!
UPDATE! After being available for a short time, ANGUS is now going home with his brother CODA. The two of them are sure to keep Danny and Cindi busy....and smothered in love!!
Angus...formerly Mickey
Final Days, Goodbyes....
...and New Friends
Coda and Angus went home to Danny and Cindi Kaczmarek. They are inseparable and best of buddies. The two boys get to go to work with dad at his fitness center every day and are much adored by both Cindi and Danny. We are grateful each new family becomes a part of our lives as well.
Cooper has gone to live with Steve and Terri Fauchier and will become a regular around town in San Clemente. The folks at Three Dog Bakery and the neighbors have been awaiting his homecoming. We are all anticipating his six month visit back here at the Poore house and our continued friendship with Steve and Terri.
