First Visitors

We don't normally have visitors to a litter until they're approximately three weeks old.  By this time mothers are more settled and happier to greet visitors themselves.  Today we made an exception, as the visitors were my parents, and Dawn and Gerald who have a Tilly son - Cooper (Seahaven Galactic Storm) all of whom are very well known to Tilly.

She was more than happy to show off her brood and a few quick cuddles were sneaked in.

All of the puppies have now doubled their birth weights, with Pumpkin now weighing over 1kg! Sadly didn't get an opportunity to update the blog last night as we didn't have internet access for some reason.  All working well today thankfully.

Stitch Removal

Today Tilly had her stitches removed and a check up at the vets, this was organised for tomorrow but we rearranged for today.  The wound has healed nicely, and Tilly was more than happy for the stitches to be removed.  Initially she was quite excited to be going out in the car, but when we were waiting to be seen she became quite anxious.  Thankfully they had agreed to see her at the start of surgery, and we were able to wait out of the way of the other animals until she was seen.  She was so pleased to get back to her pups, who didn't even realise that she'd been away.

The nails on the pups have been growing, and they can be razor sharp if they are allowed to get too long.  Today was the first day for us to clip the nails, all done at the same time as the weighing and a joint effort between us to make it all quick and stress free.

A Day In The Life Of A Puppy

Again, not much to report - all going well!

Pups gaining weight with half now doubling their birth weights, the others expected to reach this milestone either tomorrow or the next day.  Now that Tilly has been spending more time outside of the box, it gave me a good opportunity to strip the box out and give it a thorough clean.  Pups were more than happy after a feed from Tilly to settle on the heat pad whilst I got to work.

We're all enjoying the quiet before the storm -  before they start to be weaned and are actively on the move once they've opened their eyes and are up on their feet. 

We eat

We sleep

We eat some more

And we sleep some more

Finally  we fall asleep on the job!  Jack practicing the toller roaching position!

One Week Old Today

Well this past week has certainly gone quickly!! 

Everything has settled down nicely, and the puppies feel that they've been here much longer than a week.  Tilly is spending increasing amounts of time out of the whelping box, not just quick trips to the loo.  She is now fed outside of the box, and will lay just outside of the box keeping an eye on her brood.  The other dogs aren't allowed near the box, but are incredibly interested in what is going on, particularly Eve who hasn't know puppies in the house.  Our last litter was Eve & her sibling who will be 2 next month.

The pups are gradually strengthening up on their legs, and it's amazing watching them get around on the vetbed.  They love to cuddle up together and if Tilly isn't in feeding them, they can normally be found cuddled up together having a nap.

The girls helping with the daily weigh in.
 

Day Five

Not a lot to report today, all still doing well.

These Tollers do have a funny way of doing things!



Mummy has such a lovely squishy tail, the perfect place for a snooze.

Almost lined up

Day Four

Going from strength to strength!

Tilly is doing really well, and is now leaving the whelping box for short periods!  These do seem to coincide with when food is being prepared, these Tollers do like their food.  She is eating at regular intervals and having food overnight, she's also drinking copious amounts of water which is quite normal due to all of the milk that she's needing to produce.  She does have loads of milk, which is being put to such good use.  Her wound is looking nice and clean, and we look forward to the stitches being removed this coming week.

The pups are amazing to watch, and it quite surprising how they manage to get around.  The vet bed gives such a good grip and they head towards the smell and warmth of Tilly or the other pups.  The are also quite noisy, particularly if they are 'lost' and looking for mum or the other pups! 

We are continuing to weigh the pups daily, and I have such a wonderful family supporting me.  The children are so careful and sensitive in how they help me with this and this means that the weighing isn't stressful for either Tilly or the pups.

Starting to look a little crowded at the milk bar!

The life of a puppy - eating & sleeping

Happy puppy pile

An agility dog in the making?  she did start out at the top of Tilly's leg!

The life of Jack, one content boy

Day Three

Not a lot to report, all going well with mum and babies.  All continuing to thrive, and Tilly again seems more herself.  All the human family are starting to feel more human too!