We’ve grown! The “T” Litter turned one week old yesterday. They’ve tripled in size, scoot around the box, bark and nurse.

Mama Ruth with the milk bar going

In the first few days of life, I’m really having to fuss over making sure that the pups are finding their way to to teats to get the colostrum from the mother. Now I am able to focus on Ruth being fed and happy so that she’s there for her pups when they need her. They are able to get what they need on their own.

The puppies eyes and ears are still closed for another week. I’m starting to feel out of the woods on having losses, but I always say that I wait until two weeks old to call it. Next week, I’ll do individual pictures and take a video. Once their eyes are open I start supplementing nursing with puppy mush of canned puppy food and milk replacer. It is mainly to get them used to eating something other than mother’s milk. With so few pups I could probably wait to introduce food, but I like to stay in my routine that has worked for me for thirteen years.

I make sure Ruth gets at least one can of puppy food a day still until the pups are starting to eat other things. She is also getting meat scraps, bones and has free feed of dry dog food.

Here are some close up shots of the pups nursing:

Nursing one week old “T” Litter puppies
One week old puppies getting fed

On Wednesday we took a road trip to York Vet for a checkup for Ruth and the pups, as well as to get their tails docked and their dew claws removed.

Puppies on a roadtrip in the laundry basket
Ruth getting checked out while keeping her eye on the puppies
Ruth had to feed her pups before we got back on the road

Everyone checked out healthy and Ruth was cleared for future breeding. My observation of nothing being retained in the uterus and no infection present was confirmed. It was all such a relief.

So I’m praying that the scary and sad part of this is over and that we get through this critical week to reach important two week milestones. Keep thinking about us and we’ll keep working.