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Today the puppies experienced their first solid food, and took to it like champs! We will wean them onto goats milk and raw ground meat, primarily turkey and beef. We will slowly introduce bone so they have another source of calcium. They will continue on raw until they are seven weeks old, at which time we will transition them to kibble for going home. Weaning onto to raw is easier on their digestive systems before introduce the complex make up of kibble.
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These puppies are getting bigger & cuter everyday! All of them are nearly or over 4 lbs now, with only 6 oz separating the smallest from the biggest! They are starting to wobble to their first steps, and pink girl even picked up a piece of kibble dropped by her mother and mouthed it. They are also starting to play, chewing and climbing on each other. Eyes are opening, and they are beginning to explore their little world! Click on a puppy link below to see individual belly shots along with their 3 week mugs! Blue Boy Green Boy Red Boy Purple Girl Pink Girl  Zuko turned two last month, and we just received word that he has earned a normal rating for his shoulders, elbows, and patellas, and a 'good' hip rating! We are so excited, as this means he is ready to be a stud, to approved bitches of quality!  Click on a puppy color below to see their pictures!
While it might seem like being a breeder is all soft, cuddly puppy dog tails and kisses, as a breeder friend of mine told me early on, "It is not for the faint of heart." I am so grateful for the support, advice, and encouragement from the Swissy breeder community, during this time of little sleep, constant questions, hormonal dogs, and nerve racking hope and concern for the little lives we are somewhat responsible for bringing into this world. I just want to give a huge shout out to Jenny Lind of Cornerstone GSMD, who came and spent two nights with me and stayed up all night, accompanied me to the vet, and helped me care for my girl and her puppies through the entire laboring/whelping process. I also want to thank Pearl's breeder, Michele Slate of RamsGate GSMD, Rita Rimler of Cornerstone GMSD, Lori Houha of Houha Swissies, and Janine Leoni, Pearl's handler and a Rottie breeder, for their specific support and advice at all hours of the day/night during this process. I could not do it without you all! We have 5 thriving puppies, and I have you to thank for it! Also Dr. Gregory Burns of South Mesa Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins for his reproductive services and surgical expertise.   Momma Pearl is recovering well and she is a doting and attentive mother. All 5 puppies gained weight in the first 24 hours! Individual pics later today!  Today has been an emotional roller coaster for us. We were so excited when Pearl showed signs of going into natural whelp 2 days ago. We were even more exited when Pearl's first puppy, and the first puppy of our developing breeding program, hit the ground at 10:35pm. He was followed quickly by 4 siblings, 2 more boys and 2 girls. Based on her X-ray, we knew she had more, so when by 7:30 am she had not given birth to puppy #6, we took her into the vet. Unfortunately, a puppy was stuck in her birth canal, and we lost that puppy plus the three behind it. So it is with great sorrow that we share the loss of four of puppies. However it is with great joy that I announce the birth of 5 healthy Porter x Pearl puppies, 3 boys and 2 girls. More pictures to come!  |
Kiki Williams
Wife, Mother of 3, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC Archives
May 2024
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