Day 3 in the Whelping Box

Here we are at day 3. Last evening I was a little concerned because Teasle was still reluctant to eat and drink and was starting to seem to want to sit apart from the pups in the box. She was still extremely reluctant to leave them for food or to go out, but I phoned Gaynor the Guru to check it out. Apparently, adding a touch of milk to the water encourages them and it certainly helped with Teasle. Ronnie explained that the mums have milk on demand for the first couple of days and then only let the milk down when there are several feeding. That seems to be the case today as they were doing shifts of five at a time earlier, with 5 sleeping under the paper by Teasle's head! A really good mum, she can delicately and sometimes not so delicately push her nose under a pup's tummy and flick it so that it lands in the right position to feed!!!! Thinkgs are looking up as she did accidentally hop out when she saw me sorting the food out and then remembered and hopped back in. One unanticipated complication that is apparently quite common ((for those of that are thinking this sounds like a jolly good idea) is a mum very reluctant to go out and, to put it delicately, 'a tummy problem'!! So, having woken at 5 am and then deciding I may as well come down; I found a delightful job awaiting, repeated a few times during the day. Teasle is, however, taking nourishment in the form of flour and oatmeal coated and fried chicken and liver as well as canned tuna; given alternately with rice in a small dish in her bed, followed by milk coloured water. The pups are growing and becoming little individuals already: we have 'curly girl', little girl and big girl then chunky chappie, big curly, little curly, blaze, blaze 3 and little blaze. I just have to identify the last one, who, anyway, none of the above (I think) and is probably 'litt'l'un' though by no means weak or tiny. Ah well, another cup of tea and back to the whelping box for trots outside, new paper and fuss for Teasle.

Oh, and someone else is feeling jealous.... Molly would like it to be known that she is also beautiful and a very good girl and only on Heather's knee because Heather invited her up!!!!