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Showing posts from 2025

Dutch and Fiona’s puppies are now 7 weeks old!

Seven Weeks Old and Full of Fun! This week has been all about  play , and these little ones have truly come into their own. Whether romping around indoors or bounding through the snow, they’ve spent their days chasing each other, wrestling, and engaging in very determined games of tug-of-war. The puppies are now enjoying between  6.5 and 8 ounces of food per meal —and not a single morsel is ever left behind! They have fully transitioned to solid food, and Momma Fiona has officially retired from nursing. She has done a  phenomenal  job raising her babies, and now it’s her turn to rest and enjoy some well-deserved R&R. Although the puppies still sleep quite a bit, they are awake more often and absolutely adore being picked up and cuddled. This is such a sweet, affectionate stage. The highlight of the week was their  veterinary health checkup . We were incredibly fortunate to have our vet come to our home—especially helpful during today’s severe winter storm. H...

Six Weeks Already! Dutch and Fiona’s Beautiful Litter!

Dutch and Fiona’s puppies are six weeks old today — gosh, how time flies! What an exceptional litter they are. Their weights and appearances are remarkably consistent, with the girls just slightly smaller. If you’ve been watching on the 24/7 camera, you’ve probably noticed how much more they’re playing and interacting every single day. This week’s big news:  Fiona has decided that  all  the toys belong to her! One evening, I watched her go into the toy box, carefully select a toy, and carry it over to her bed. By the end of the night, every single toy had been relocated. She never destroys them — she simply gathers them like treasures. It’s absolutely comical. Faith ventured over to investigate, and let’s just say Fiona was  not  impressed with the intrusion. A huge thank-you to everyone who attended our open house last weekend. The puppies soaked up all the cuddles, and it was truly lovely meeting everyone. I know you're all getting excited to bring your puppy ...

Dutch and Fiona's Puppies - 5 Week Old Birthday!

Puppies are 5 Weeks Old Today! Dutch and Fiona’s puppies reached a wonderful milestone today—they are officially  five weeks old ! They’re growing stronger, more coordinated, and much more mobile every day. This stage is incredibly important for gentle socialization and positive early experiences. Now that their little teeth have come in, you can hear them interacting more with their littermates—playful growls, tiny yips, and the occasional whimper when a sibling’s bite is a bit too enthusiastic. Their curiosity is blossoming, and they’re eagerly exploring their surroundings with increasing confidence. We’ve added more toys and an activity center to enrich their environment, and they’ve been enjoying every bit of it. They’re eating very well—about three ounces per meal. We’re rotating their proteins and supplementing with Welly Tails Puppy Start and Omega Alpha Puppy Probiotics to support their growth and digestion. We still sleep a lot! Last week we introduced a small toilet area ...

Dutch & Fiona’s Puppies — Four Weeks Old!

Wobbly Steps & Wagging Tails! For families getting a puppy from this litter, if you’ve been tuning into the puppy webcam, you’ve probably noticed major changes: The puppies are walking confidently, with the occasional wobbly step. They’re becoming stronger and more coordinated each day. Toys have been added to encourage exploration, play, and motor development—and they’re loving it! Their interactions with each other are now more intentional: gentle pawing, tiny growls, clumsy pounces, and plenty of snuggles. This is the magical age when they discover that siblings make the best toys. Today was an especially big milestone—the puppies have officially moved out of our bedroom and into the living room. This allows them to: Enjoy bright, natural sunlight, Experience more household sights and sounds, Have extra room to stretch, explore, and play. Fiona is also delighted. She now has a larger space to roam and a bit more freedom while still keeping an eye on her pups. And on our end, fee...

Three Weeks Old — A Big Milestone for Fiona and Dutch’s Puppies!

Today marks a special milestone for our  puppies from Dutch and Fiona— they’re three weeks old! The puppies have begun eating on their own, a big step in their early development. Fiona is still nursing, but less frequently now, as the puppies transition to solid food. Because her milk supply was limited, we’ve been bottle-feeding to supplement their nutrition over the past few weeks. Now that they’re confidently eating on their own, it’s wonderful to see them thriving and growing stronger every day. At three weeks, puppies start showing more awareness of their surroundings. Their little legs are steadier, their eyes and ears are fully open, and their curiosity is blooming. They’re beginning to interact with one another — playful tumbles, wagging tails, and the sweetest attempts at barking! And as for Fiona… she’s quite happy with this new stage too — especially because she gets to enjoy all the leftovers once the puppies are done eating! Stay tuned.....

A Big Week for Dutch and Fiona's Puppies!

Two weeks old today! Fiona's puppies are now two weeks old, and what an exciting stage this is! Every day brings new changes as the puppies grow stronger, more aware, and even more adorable (if that’s possible). At this age, the biggest milestone is that their eyes are now open! Though their vision is still a bit blurry, they’re beginning to see the world for the first time — mostly shapes, light, and movement. Over the next week, their eyesight will continue to sharpen, and they’ll start recognizing their littermates, their mom, and of course, us humans. The puppies are also becoming more mobile. Their wobbly little legs are gaining strength as they start to scoot, crawl, and even attempt to stand. It’s amazing to watch how quickly they go from tiny, sleepy newborns to curious explorers. Fiona is doing a wonderful job keeping everyone clean, warm, and fed. Although she doesn't have the milk supply we hoped for, we are supplementing by bottle feeding at least once daily.  The p...

Dutch and Fiona’s Puppies – One Week Old Today!

Happy One Week Birthday!   Fiona’s journey into motherhood has been nothing short of remarkable. After a long and exhausting  14-hour labour , she safely delivered  12 beautiful puppies . As the final hours stretched on, both Fiona and I were completely spent. Sadly, the last few pups became our little angels due to the extended delivery time. Despite every effort — providing oxygen and stimulation — we were unable to revive them. As heartbreaking as that was, we are deeply grateful to have  nine strong, healthy puppies  now thriving under Fiona’s care. This first week has brought its share of challenges. Fiona developed  metritis , a uterine infection likely caused by the strain of her prolonged labour. She has been on antibiotics and is recovering well, but the infection initially impacted her milk production. To ensure the pups received the nutrition they needed, we began  bottle feeding every 2–3 hours around the clock . Thankfully, the puppies ada...

Fiona & Dutch’s Autumn Litter 2025!

Dutch and Fiona's puppies arrived! Introducing Fiona & Dutch’s Autumn Litter 2025 We are thrilled to share that Dutch and Fiona has welcomed her first litter on Wednesday October 22nd!  She was expecting 12 puppies, and although we sadly lost three little angels after a long 14-hour labour, we are overjoyed to have  nine healthy, robust pups — three girls and six boys . Fiona has been an exceptional first-time mom, instinctively knowing what to do and bonding with her puppies immediately.  Meet our Autumn Litter, in birth order: 🍂  Miss Kale  – Purple collar 🍂  Miss Spice  – Orange collar 🍂  Mr. Acorn  – Brown collar 🍂  Mr. Apple Pie  – Red collar 🍂  Mr. Gourd  – Green collar 🍂  Mr. Twilight  – Black collar 🍂  Mr. Frost  – Light Blue collar 🍂  Mr. Sunrise  – Yellow collar 🍂  Miss Mushroom  – White collar We can’t wait to share more updates as these little ones grow! Stay...

Fiona – Day 59 (Pre-Parturition)

Fiona's Pregnancy X-ray Puppy Watch Begins .....Dutch and Fiona Litter! Fiona and I visited our vet this morning, and as you can see from the X-ray, she’s expecting a  large  litter! Care to guess how many? She’s now enjoying five to six small meals a day — there’s not much room left in there for big portions! To keep her hydrated and nourished, she’s getting homemade bone broth along with her prenatal vitamins, probiotics, and a variety of fresh raw foods. She’s also taken a real liking to lightly seared liver. At this stage, the puppies are fully developed and could safely arrive at any time. They’ve finished most of their development and are simply growing bigger each day. Puppies are born with their eyes closed, which typically open around ten days after birth. It’s easy to feel them moving now — they’re quite active and growing rapidly. We’ll continue to pamper Fiona and keep her as comfortable as possible as we await the  big day ! We’ve also begun monitoring her te...

Fiona – Day 56 (Week 8 – Pre-Parturition Update)

  One more week to go! The puppies’  skeletons are fully developed   and can now be seen clearly on   ultrasound or X-ray , which we have scheduled for this coming Saturday. Fiona has  lost the fur on her abdomen , which is normal and helps the puppies nurse more easily. She has also begun  preparing for birth  — nesting behaviours are now evident. This is when soon-to-be mommas seek out quiet spaces, dig, or scratch at bedding. Indoors, this often translates to  scratching her dog bed or entering the whelping box which she hasn't really accepted yet!  We have a  spotlessly clean and quiet area  ready for her delivery. A few days after the pups are born, we’ll set up the  24/7 camera , so families awaiting a  Dutch × Fiona puppy  can watch them grow from birth! Fiona has definitely  slowed down over the past couple of days . With a  HUGE belly , there’s less room for food, so we’ve adjusted to  five sma...

Fiona – Day 50 (Week 7 – Pre-Parturition Update)

Seriously! This is not my best angle! Around  day 50 , the puppies’  skeletons are now fully ossified  and continue to strengthen each day. By this stage, their major organs have formed, and they’re beginning to look like tiny, perfectly formed puppies. Their bones are becoming more defined, and their size continues to increase quickly. Fiona’s abdomen is now  noticeably enlarged , and her nipples have become more prominent as her body prepares for nursing. She’s enjoying  three meals a day  and seems quite pleased about it — although she appears a little puzzled about her growing belly! We often catch her glancing back at her rear end as if wondering why she’s gaining so much weight. This being her  first litter , her curiosity is understandable. Her abdomen now measures approximately  33 inches (83.82 cm) , and it seems to expand a little more each day.  Next Saturday , Fiona will have an  x-ray  to determine how many puppies she’...

Fiona – Day 44 (Week 6 – Pre-Parturition)

  Fiona and Dutch Puppies! The puppies’ growth is now progressing rapidly! We’ve entered the final third of Fiona’s pregnancy — a phase when the puppies will gain about  three-quarters of their total birth weight.  Their first skeletal structures are already ossified, meaning they can now be seen on x-rays. Amnion: The amnion is the innermost membrane that completely surrounds each embryo. The fetus rests safely within it, cushioned and protected from external influences — much like floating in a gentle waterbed. This fluid environment allows the puppies to move freely, which is vital for healthy muscle and joint development. The amniotic fluid is also swallowed and digested repeatedly by the fetus, helping the digestive system mature. Yolk Sac: Unlike in birds, the canine yolk sac doesn’t contain nutrients, only a clear serous fluid. However, a temporary yolk sac placenta forms, allowing contact with the uterus and contributing to the puppies’ early nourishment. The yolk...

Jazz & Olivia Pups – 7 Week Birthday

Another Fabulous Week! What a week it’s been! The weather has been beautiful, and the pups have enjoyed every minute of it outdoors. Their confidence is blossoming, and they’re full of fun and personality. Momma Olivia remains completely devoted to her babies. She’s never far from them and even whimpers when separated for any length of time. Her maternal instincts are truly heartwarming. This week’s standout moment? Miss Magenta decided to show off her stealth skills—not once, but twice—by sneaking up and stealing my iPhone straight from my pocket! To make it even more hilarious, my phone is also magenta, so seeing her prance around proudly with a matching accessory in her mouth had us laughing out loud. We’re seeing more and more of the pups’ personalities shine through. They are playful, confident, and curious. After each meal, when the door of their whelping box opens to the backyard, they march out one by one like little soldiers. After about 20 minutes of play, they line up at the...

Jazz and Olivia’s Puppies – 6 Weeks Old Today!

 Jazz and Olivia’s Puppies – 6 Weeks Old Today!  Time is flying! It’s such a joy to watch these puppies grow and thrive — and their outdoor adventures are becoming more lively by the day. With the weather finally cooling down, the pups are enjoying more frequent time outside, and we've even set up a mini obstacle course to help build their confidence as they explore new sights, sounds, and textures. They’ve quickly caught on to our routine: lunch, then playtime! Like clockwork, they start to cry out in chorus — a little lunchtime symphony — knowing what’s coming next. As soon as we open the French doors to their private yard and unlatch the whelping box, they march right out, ready for action. The only challenge now? Getting them back inside! It’s become a full-on game of “Catch Me If You Can!” The pups are now weighing in at a healthy 10 to 12 pounds and have tremendous appetites. Each one is enjoying about 7 oz per meal, totalling approximately 21 oz of food daily. Their die...

Jazz and Olivia – Week 5 Birthday Update!

Jazz and Olivia – Week 5 Birthday Update!   Another milestone this week — the puppies had their very first outdoor adventure today! As we gently lifted them out of their cozy whelping box and into the backyard, they stood like tiny statues, sniffing the fresh summer air and gazing up at the trees and sky. Unsure of this big new world at first, they let out a few soft whimpers — but with mama Olivia always nearby to reassure and protect, they soon began to explore. At first, they stayed close to Olivia and the familiar living room door. But after just a few minutes, their confidence grew, and their curiosity took over. By Week 6, we expect them to be boldly scattered throughout the yard — and then the real challenge begins: getting them to come back inside!  The puppies now weigh an average of 9 to 10 lbs, gaining about 2 to 3 lbs each week. Olivia is still nursing a couple of times a day, though we’ve started limiting her access. She’s eating a whopping 8 lbs of food daily (ye...
What a Day! We had a wonderful turnout at today’s  puppy open-house —thank you to all the families who joined us! Both current and future puppy parents were delighted to meet  Jazz and Olivia’s 4-week-old pups . This is such a special time, as the puppies are just beginning to truly engage with people. Judging by all the tail wags and snuggles, they thoroughly enjoyed the attention—and I know the humans did too! Growing Fast The pups are thriving, now weighing an average of  7–8 lbs , up an impressive  3 lbs from last week ! With their healthy appetites, they’re currently eating  three meals a day , totaling about  7 oz daily —each meal followed by a much-loved “dessert”: a  vanilla milkshake  provided by their moms. New Experiences They’ve started playing with toys and interacting more with one another, and this week marked a big milestone: they’ve officially  moved to the living room , which opens up to the backyard. Next weekend, they’ll...

Jazz and Olivia's Pups - 3 Weeks Old

Not much space left at the milk bar! Wow, we’re 3 weeks old today! Time really flies—especially when the pups are healthy and both mom caregivers (including the human mom) have no concerns. This week marked another exciting milestone: we started solid food yesterday! As you can see, it got a little messy, but the pups thoroughly enjoyed their first meal—ground turkey mixed with fermented goat’s milk and WellyTails supplement.* For the next couple of days, they’ll have one solid meal daily. We’ll then increase to two meals, and by the end of next week, they’ll be eating three meals a day. Right now, the puppies eat together from a communal bowl. Around 5 to 6 weeks of age, we’ll transition to individual bowls. This ensures each pup gets their fair share and helps prevent more dominant littermates from pushing others away. At 3 weeks old, the puppies are becoming much more active and curious. They’re starting to walk, run, and play with each other, and they’re showing greater interest in...

Jazz & Olivia Puppies – 2 Weeks Old Today!

Our sweet pups are officially two weeks old and doing incredibly well! Everyone is tipping the scales at over 3 lbs and gaining beautifully. Big changes this week: Their eyes opened mid-week, which is always such a magical milestone. We’re still weighing them twice a day, but that will soon shift to once daily, and eventually to weekly checks once they start solid food. By mid to late next week, we’ll begin introducing the puppies to solid food for the first time. Their first meals will include a nutritious blend of ground turkey with bone, organ meats, goat’s milk, and pre- and probiotics. It’s always a comical and heartwarming moment—they tend to walk right into the food bowl, get completely covered, and more often than not, fall asleep mid-meal right in the dish! Their first few feedings usually end with a much-needed bath.  Mani-Pedis All Around!  Olivia’s puppies have been getting their nails trimmed every 5 days, starting within the first 24 hours after birth. Regular na...

One-Week Birthday for Olivia & Jazz’s Puppies!

Olivia's puppies at almost 1 week old. Today marks one week since Olivia and Jazz’s beautiful puppies made their arrival—and what a week it’s been! These little ones are already turning into chunkers, with the boys tipping the scales at over 2 lbs and the girls not far behind. During these early days, our pups spend all their time in the whelping box located right in our bedroom. That way, I can respond quickly if one of them wanders away from Olivia overnight—something our families watching the 24/7 camera may have seen me do! Since puppies can’t hear or see for up to 12 days after birth, it's important to gently guide them back to mom to nurse when needed. Olivia has been an incredibly attentive mother, only stepping away for short bathroom breaks during the first week. As we move into week two, she’s starting to take slightly longer breaks. Just yesterday, she ventured out into our large backyard for a quick bit of exercise—scanning the area like a pro for any “predators” (c...

Well, the big day arrived a day early!

9 Robust puppies. Five boys and 4 girls! It looks like Olivia's pups were excited to start their adventures! I was at a canine eye clinic yesterday morning, as this appointment had been booked months ago. Our breeding dogs have their eyes checked annually by an ophthalmologist to ensure they do not have any inheritable eye diseases. Anyway, Olivia began her contractions just 10 minutes before I arrived home. We had about 20 minutes to make any last-minute preparations, and then the first little boy was born — Mr. Peat Moss (brown collar), a very robust fellow! He was followed by: Miss Radish (magenta collar) Mr. Basil (green collar) Miss Blueberry (blue collar) Mr. Carrot (orange collar) Miss Chile Pepper (red collar) Mr. Squash (yellow collar) Miss Eggplant (purple collar) and finally, Mr. Rhubarb (pink collar). Our Garden Litter, Jazz & Olivia 2025 Litter! Olivia and her pups about half way through birthing. All pups were roughly the same weight. Birthing began just after 1:0...

Olivia - Day 60 Pre-Parturition

Olivia's puppy x-ray We’re excited to share that our sweet, Olivia, is expecting 9 puppies this coming weekend! We just had her X-ray done, and it confirmed a healthy and full litter of nine. Olivia is doing beautifully—calm, content, and showing all the signs of a seasoned mama preparing for her big day. As we get everything ready for her whelping, we’re filled with anticipation and gratitude for the safe arrival of these little ones. Stay tuned for puppy updates soon!  Olivia with 4 days to go until pups arrive❤️❤️