Busy pupsters

On Saturday, Yoko and the pups had visitors from Paws With Purpose - lots of excitement all around.  The pups have been busy exploring their new pen and taking in the sights with their newly opening eyes.  Lots of walking practice, a few attempts at mouth wrestling with each other, and even some successful solo trips down to the litter box.  If we are with the pups when they wake up or after feeding, we are putting them into the litter box, but some are actually going down there on their own already - good puppies!  I am leaving the toileting area a bit dirty/scented to help them find their way.  They are being very good about keeping their bed area clean, less success in the space between the bed and litter box.  On Saturday, the pups had their first taste of canned food and all gave a paws up approval.   They finished up the first can today.  Currently, we are handfeeding 1 tsp three times a day per pup, and will be gradually increase the amount per serving, working up to prepare the pups for kibble and milk this weekend.  Yoko is eating 8 cup kibble per day, making lots of milk, but requiring some serious coaxing to go into the pen and let the pups nurse.  A number of my mama dogs have done that at this age, and then improve as the pups get bigger. 

2 week puppy pics

Pups have moved up to the small puppy pen in my bedroom.  At the far end is a small toileting area. 

Yoko getting swarmed by hungry puppies

Poor Yoko

Pups all weigh approximately 3 lbs

Cute little Ellie

Ellie again

Close up of Ellie

It is common to find pups sleeping on their backs

Eyes open

This litter has been the slowest yet to open their eyes.  Typically eyes open between 10-14 days, but it was Day 15 for the first of these pupsters.  About half the pups currently have their eyes open.  This further supports that they were born a bit early and that my calculated due date of Thursday was accurate (pups were born in the wee hours Wed morning before their due date).   Next milestone will be the opening of their ear canals in the next 5-7 days, then all senses will be functional.  On Saturday, I plan to introduce the pups to canned food to start getting their systems used to solid food and teach them how to prehend food and not just suckle. 

2 weeks old

Note yellow collar Ellie sleeping on her back

2 weeks old and doing very well.  The pups gained approximately 1 lb each last week with a combination of nursing and bottle feeding.  Maggie Mae is still the big pup at 3 lbs.  Penny is currently the small pup at 2 lbs 6 oz.  Rita, the weak pup at birth, is doing great - you can't pick her out from her littermates.  Yoko is currently eating 7 1/2 c of high calorie kibble plus a hard boiled egg per day.  The pups have had their third toenail trim, first worming, and lots of cuddles.  Daily BioSensor exercises continue through Friday (Day 16).  Maggie, Pepper, Lucy and Ellie all have their eyes almost open.  The pups are doing more wobbly walking and this weekend I plan to set up a small pen in my bedroom as a transition before moving into the big puppy pen in the main part of the house.  Plus easier to keep my bedroom extra warm. 

Yet more puppy pics

Abbey and Maggie snuggling

Ellie sleeping on a stuffed animal

Ringo sleeping on his back, you can just barely see his white chest mark

Neighbor boy bottle feeding Pepper

Neighbor girl bottle feeding Abbey

Rita being bottle fed

Yoko nuzzling Maggie

10 day old puppy pics

Yoko and pups in the small visiting pool, hanging out with some guests

The pups are getting big

Yoko catching some zzzz

Puppy pile, the pups have transitioned to elastic tie collars

Friends came over to help with evening puppy care, Ringo getting his bottle

Pepper having his bottle

Abbey, sleeping off a full tummy

Puppy names

I gave Yoko's program Paws With Purpose the honor of naming the litter.  They decided on a Beatles theme, and the PWP inmate trainers at Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women came up with a list of names.  The challenge was coming up with 7 female names.

Boys
Blue - Sgt. "Pepper"
Black - "Ringo" Starr (he has a white "star" on his chest)

Females
Pink - "Lucy" in the sky with diamonds (she has a small white "diamond" mark on her chest)
Purple - "Penny" Lane
Orange - "Michelle", ma belle
Green - "Abbey" Road
Yellow - "Ellie" Eleanor Rigby
Red (formerly pink/white) - Lovely "Rita"
White (formerly purple/white) - "Maggie" Mae