Storm and Chanel Litter 2021

Chanel - 49 Days (pre-parturition)

Chanel does not appear to be slowing down, still running with the pack and getting into trouble with the rest of them. She did have a little extra winter weight, but it seems her pups have “grown” into her and she is looking good. She enjoys monitoring the perimeter of the yard for possible intruders and occasionally sounds the alarm for wild turkeys.

She has a ferocious appetite, so we have broken her meals into three daily to hopefully satisfy her. She continues to eat a very well-balanced diet of antibiotic-free proteins which are rotated daily. She’s very fond of lamb and duck lately but is also having chicken, turkey, beef and pork. Each meal has a mixture of fruits and veggies to balance her diet. Chanel’s waistline now measures 33 inches or 83.8 cm. 

Fetus at approximately day 39

By day 30, digestive and respiratory glands, muscles, bones, circulatory, genital and urinary systems, the skin and hair, the nervous system and all the puppy's sensory organs--including the eyes, inner ear and peripheral nerves have formed. During weeks four to six of pregnancy, the puppy's organs, bones, eyes and spinal cord begin to fully develop. The fetus starts to look like a dog with whisker buds showing on its developing face. Claws and toes are differentiating on the feet. By week six, the puppy skin pigment is formed the puppies have all their features. At this point in their development, you can hear a heartbeat and they will grow rapidly from here on until they are born.