Winks' Babies

whelped 3/20/2011

Despite the xrays' prediction of seven or eight pups, Winks has a large and lovely litter of 10 precious babies.  We have 4 yellow females, 2 black females, 1 yellow male and 3 black males.  All are strong and vigorous and Winks has been true to form as a meticulous mom.  She is so careful and nurturing, they are a quiet and content litter.  Three of our yellow girls shown at left after 2 days.

We have a puppy prodigy at left...already learned to roll his tongue!   Our little yellow male, below,  shows how nicely that dark pigment is coming in at the end of the week.

Two And a Half Weeks

The babies have opened their eyes and become quite curious about their surroundings.  They are moving easily about the whelping pen and I am preparing their new location in our family room to give them more interaction with the household routine.  This week will also mark their first introduction to puppy mush and that is always  a joy to watch:)  Sadie and I are already becoming attached and have our favorites, but all get cuddle time in the evenings.  In fact,  fussy puppies get to do homework with Sadie and I often find one tucked in her arms "studying" History! (But most times they don't even have to fuss)

The Classic Reverse Oreo:)

It may appear that the babes still do no more than sleep all day, but really that's the only time I can get a clear photo.  They already move pretty quickly when they are up and about. They have started to play with one another, mouthing everything from noses to tails and Winks' favorite toys are now theirs as well;  the ever present ladybug and frog head:)

Four Weeks Old

I found this little sweetie tucked in Sadie's bed "doing " homework with her.  They should all be quite brilliant as Sadie has had them studying from a very young age:)  The pups had their first meals,  first trip to the big outdoors, and their first free-for-all in the living room this week.  They are starting to have longer and longer waking periods which makes for more and more fun for us!

Sadie has all the little ones named...That's Penny to the left learning History.  We have the whole gang below enjoying a meal....Pink collar is Sophie, blue is Amy, green is Allie, white is Adina, and rainbow is Miss Fannie. The boys are listed below.

Just like any baby, these guys can sleep anywhere!  Poor Allie was squished between the pups and the wall, but it didn't seem to bother her at all.  Winkin' (blue collar boy) has learned as I did (I too, had 9 siblings) that it's best not to get too far from the food--even if you have to sleep in it!:)

Meet the boys.....Red Collar is Trenton, Blue (as I mentioned before) is Winkin',  Yellow is Blinkin' and dark Green is Nod:)

Winks always has an eye on all that goes on and lets everyone know....these are "my" puppies.  She is such a vigilant and tender mama.  She enjoyed the visitors and extra attention this weekend and looks for me every evening for a little rubdown and bum scratch:)

Seven Weeks Old

My, oh my, how these little ones are growing!  They surprised me the last few days by learning to CLIMB OVER the two foot exercise pen I was once able to use to corral them for a few moments.  That came after they had learned to put all their weight against it and knock it over:)  These little smarties are a force to be reckoned with.  Yet they are sweet tempered, very friendly, and have been easy to litter train and establish a routine with.  I will miss each of these big personalities in little puppy bodies:)

I have only a short time left with these little ones, but still plenty of adventure to come as we head to Orange County for temperament testing, swimming lessons and a vet check before going home to meet their new families.  I know it's time to "spread the joy" but it sure is hard to let go!