Havanese Pups and their First Solid Meal

We tried a bit of mushy puppy kibble this morning and the puppies really went for it! It has been a busy couple of days. Yesterday, thanks to my daughter Jenny, they got their first pedicure which I am sure Phoebe really appreciated.

I think we've decided on a candy theme for this litter. So far we have Snickers, Truffles, Hershey, Peppermint Pattie, Twix, Twizzler, Skittles and Tootsie. If you have any suggestions, drop us a comment!

Five puppies getting a taste of mushy kibble

They might have been kissing....but really they are licking each other's lips!

A closeup

Puppy video at 3 weeks

Miracle of miracles!!! I even got a second video to work. This one is shorter and not quite in focus but it is so precious I just had to post it. I also got some good stills...thanks to Michael and Alex who are now visiting.

The puppies are not engaging each other and very strong on their legs. Our #1 girl, who is still the largest, will soon be climbing out of the whelping box if I didn't do something so I have removed the bumpers and will install the door very soon!

Enjoy!!!

First Movie as Promised!

This movie is about one week old but between my sporadic internet service and my ineptness with all things technical it has taken me that long to get it to work! Anyway, enjoy and (God willing) I'll get something more current up shortly.                               

 

Two Weeks and Counting!

First of all let me apologize to my families for not posting before today. My Internet provider has had some problems which I hope have been resolved. All I need is a week of mostly off again internet service to realize how much I depend on it!

Here you can see how strong they are...pushing their way to breakfast!

Phoebe is a very proud Mama

A puppy pinwheel

Anyway, the pups are doing great. Two have their eyes open. They are Puppy #1 and Puppy #6. Puppy #5's eyes are just opening today! They are all getting so strong. Some are standing on wobbly legs for a moment or two (which I've yet to get on camera!) and they are all moving around quite a bit. They are also getting stronger in their vocals...someone actually barked in the middle of the night last night (yes, they are all in my bedroom!)

Puppy #6 (left) and #1 (right) have had their eyes open for two days. How I was dying to show you all ... with no Internet!! :0 (

This one's eyes are just beginning to open. She is wet from nursing.

I Love Jelly Bean Bellies!

Puppies are getting very vocal now and moving around a lot though you wouldn't know it from the video I took this morning. Once I figure out how to load it you can enjoy their little squeaks and wiggles. Meanwhile here are their first individual photos!

Eating and Sleeping at One Week Old

Puppies are growing so nicely. They are in my bedroom right now and I love to hear their little squeaks and squiggles!  They are one week old today. I can't believe it has flown by so fast. Still, there is not much new to report so I thought I'd just fill in on what development has taken place at one week.

Typically they double their weight the first 8 to 11 days. For about the first two weeks their eyes and ears are closed. They sense light, though, and they find Phoebe by scent. Sometimes they look for her and she is sleeping outside the whelping box which brings on a series of woeful pleading cries to which she responds immediately. She is such a good mother.

As for Phoebe, I am letting her free feed from 6:30 am until 6:30 pm. She is eating about four times what she normally eats! I watch her closely for signs of mastitis...swollen or hardened teats.

Really, at this stage puppies are a very easy proposition. Phoebe does everything from feeding to rounding them up to cleaning their little poops and pees. She constantly licks the puppies' tummies to stimulate their bowels and bladders and, believe it or not, she benefits nutritionally from what she ingests. 

Three Days Old

Puppies are three days old now and gaining every day. Here they are resting and nursing. Phoebe prefers to nurse sitting. Easy to do with just six pups. Note that two we thought were Black Parti have lots of brown hair showing up underneath. These will likely fade to a tawny brown and white...just like their mama did.

From left to right we have:
Puppy 3, Boy, Black Irish pied, birth weight 215 grams-now 251
Puppy 4, Boy, Sable Parti (not black parti as formerly thought), birth weight 177 grams-now 187
Puppy 6, Girl, Sable Parti (not black parti as formerly thought), birth weight 198 grams-now 213
Puppy 5, Boy, Brown Parti, birth weight 213 grams-now 251 (huge gain!)
Puppy 1, Girl, B/W Parti, birth weight 240 grams-now 265 (my biggest but that will likely change)
Puppy 2,  Girl, B/W Parti, birth weight 164 grams-now 179