Tiger Lily: Moments in Her Life

We just received email from Tiger Lily's family to show us a glimpse of what her life is like.

Tiger Lily looks the most like her sister Mia who was here yesterday and is off to warmer climates real soon.

We also heard that Tiger went to visit Jaazy at Eye on Fashion here in Richmond Hill. It's a high end clothing store with a resident Havanese called Jazzy who is a great dawg!

We look forward to seeing those photos. Check out more of Tiger Lily below.

Mia's First Snow

Well, who would have thought?

We had to take Mia in for her 2nd shots and a checkup and she got to meander around in the snow while Terra had her rehab.

We had a light dusting on our deck this morning but at the vets, you got to see more of the white stuff.

It was so exciting to watch her and Treasure playing up a storm.

By the time Terra was done her rehab, the snow was melting faster than the blink of an eye or so it seemed. Will it snow again this week...who knows. We hope more than a dusting but we need a shovel before it does - oh Nathan!!

Mia is a bit sore. She's getting used to travelling in our carrier. She slept all the way home but that might be due to how she is feeling after the shots. They all seem to have a 24-48 hour window and then they are back to feeling all is right in the world.

Tiger Lily also had her shots. Penny is going on Friday and we haven't heard about KitKat yet. Tiger Lily was 4lb 6 oz today and Mia was 4lbs 3.5 oz. Looks like the gals are all around the same size or so we will hear.

Tiger Lily is also heading to her first puppy class this week at Whos Walking Who in Ajax. Hope they take pictures. We love to see these milestones.

Transitions

The pups start going home on Friday - then another Saturday - another Monday or Tuesday.

How did the time fly? The last one doesn't go home till December 3rd/4th. It happens way too fast.


If you are looking for toys for your little one, keep it to a minimal and change them out daily to avoid boredom. Teething toys are good and so are ones that make noises and move.



Here are a few ideas we had in the past.

The pups are playing outside on an average of 4 times a day with the last one before bedtime. When the weather gets nasty, indoor play and retrieve will be the key.

The pups are quite comfortable with the goldens now jumping up to play with them - climbing over them - it's rather nice. It still means that when you have their last shots, you still have to get them exposed to all sorts of new things and it will count how you handle it. Never coddle. Be positive and I use a keyword to let my dawgs know if nothing should be a concern. I use silly girl or silly boy in a funny cute voice. Find your keyword and help your pup get slow conditioned. They will be what you do with them.

Few Photos From Today

The pups were quite busy today getting wet outside. They don't seem to mind in the least and actually relish playing outside. It's rather nice.

Just thought I would share a few photos from today...

What's Life Like?

Well, we hit the pad most of the time.

We do tend to play and wrestle with each other making all sorts of cute noises.

Gad we gives kisses and are fast practicing our runs and climbs.

We are now eating a fair amount of food instead of just from mom.

Life is fast, fun and then they sleep.

More tomorrow....

Hey Stop: 4 Week Fun is Too Much

The pups just can't get enough of that play.

They are not as rambunctious vocally as some but they do manage to muck it up and we are starting to see the beginning of that.

As they get older, they will perfect their skills.

Life as they know it has just begun.

Today has been a day of firsts. First to go outside.

Then it will be the first to move upstairs.

Hope you enjoy a touch of today...

Almost 4 Weeks Old

Tomorrow the crew turns 4 weeks. They are getting mighty interesting and it looks like I am going to have to get the video camera going.

I climb into the pen and they come running to me. Nathan climbs in and suddenly they swarm him and lick his face.

We have temp names for the crew...Tiger Lily for the gal with the tiger markings on her legs, Caramela for the cream coloured one, Kitty Kat for the Sable and the last we are thinking on it. When we know who is going to whom, we will give them their forever names.

When we have the dogs in here, they stick their noses through the x-pen to touch them. It's so cute. When we take them out one at a time, we let various dogs kiss them. We are practicing socialization. Next week on a good day, we will have to take them out to the grass. Is it that time already...wow. Too fast...

They are in for a lot of noise conditioning and socialization with the dawgs and humans in the next number of weeks - all god to help them on their way.

Time to make the appointments for their checkup, shots and baer (hearing). Though I can tell you they all hear. They hear you sing and they cock their head as if to say - what is THAT!!!

By the way, this fun fur bed that they all climb into and adore - well Treasure won it for Best Puppy. Yep - the dawgs share..heh

It's a Puppy Life

In 2 days, the pups will be 4 weeks old. How did the month go so fast?

The crew is really feeling their comfort. They feed, they play and they sleep. What a life.

Their personalities are starting to unfold and they get so excited when you climb into the pen, which we do many times a day.

We also had music on from HDNET - listening to oldies and the pups liked the music - even my BAD singing. ROFL

Fiona is playing with the pups and it is so nice to see. When the pups sleep, I get her out and about so she can feel a part of the pack but at times, she simply wants to snuggle with them and sleep herself. It's precious.

The rest of the gang really wants to be with them but we give them moments and soon they will be out in the kitchen, outside and playing with the crew. It will happen faster than we think. This crew seems to be on their own time schedule.

Puppy Play

Fiona is now playing with the pups on a regular basis. I truly believe she is in her element.

The pups are already finding their fave place in the x-pen. Each liking various types of comfort.

What's even better is the pups are finding their way to the puppy pad at times.

They are enjoying us snuggling, holding and playing with them. The tails start wagging when we come around. It's so nice to see and rather rewarding.

They sleep a fair bit at this point. Fiona is only feeding them once during the night. As time goes on, we extend the time so they sleep through the night. This way, the transition is easier for the pups and for you.

Nothing like puppies...

Glimpse of 2 at Play - 2 Catching zzzs

Three Weeks Old Today

The pups are delicious. They are starting to get curious. All are walking and climbing. They are interacting with each other. They especially like to be outside of the whelping box so for a period of time, we indulge.

The dark one is the most curious looking out of the x-pen etc

When they have had a full play session, they often find a soft cozy place to settle in and fall fast asleep. Mommy Fiona watches them always unless we drag her outside and that's only for a short stint.

It's hard to believe they are already 3 weeks old. It goes by way too fast. But I can't wait till they can go outside - play in the kitchen and enjoy life Talemaker Style.

This one is the most - I got to get to the food. Can you blame her?

Now that they are all settled in, it's time for my nap and then it starts again.

Stay tuned for the daily missives. They are changing daily... Who will be what tomorrow may be different - as it goes in the puppy world.

Puppies are Growing

The puppies are continue to grow - eat well - give poor Fiona hickeys ad make sure they survive. heh

They are pretty much about them at this stage.

Can you imagine if life was just about you?

Soon their eyes will be open and and an entire new world will open up.

Personally - I can't wait!!

Mother's Role

When someone has pups, it is normal for the mom to protect her babies.

Treasure is highly curious but so is Wasabi and Risa.

They would love to be in checking them out close and personal but that's not allowed till they get older and when Fiona relaxes.

She relaxes when we are showing them but not when they try to get so close that she feels that they may be in harm's way.

Fiona is getting better though. At first she didn't want the pack in the same room. Now she is realizing that behind the x-pen, her beautiful babies are not in harm's way.

All her pups are thriving and I am glad her first time around that she only had 4. Fiona comes from a line that usually has 6 or 7 but this is a manageable size for a first time mom.

They all have tummies. They all continue to grow and Fiona remains attentive.

I know I said it before but she is truly amazing. Our only issue with her is to get her to eat enough but that's been something we have always had to do with her.

More colour is peeking through on the ones that appear black and white. She will not have any that are true black and whites, I am afraid. Most interesting.

Puppies - nothing like them.

Havanese Puppy Heaven

Each day I take out all the bands from Fiona's hair - brush and comb her out thoroughly and put them all back in.

She gets messy looking easily as you can see in the photo. She most often looks a mess. But for hours after I groom her - well she looks like my Fiona without a care in the world. Her Daddy would say - ahem - she looks like MY Fiona.

But she loves the grooming time.

She has also allowed herself time to be away from the pups when they are quiet. She's not as frantic. She doesn't want to be far. She won't let the other dogs near her babies but she also wants the "I count" in her life. I 'get' that!

Beyond grooming, feeding, weighing pups and cleaning - what else is there? We condition the pups to being touched. We make sure Fiona knows she is amazing. We also must clean her diligently. They can have a discharge for up to 2.5 weeks. It's my usual to clean her each time she goes outside and every time I pick her up.

These pups suck like no tomorrow as I am always protecting hickey marks - catching them before they become issues.

She's so gentle with them. It's wonderful to watch.

You can click on any of the photos in our areas to see larger views.

Today she is allowing Abigail, Shoshi, and Wasabi to be in the room where the pups are - my office. Not in the actual pen but outside of it. She's relaxing but not enough that she lets her guard down.

I think I have bragged before that she's such a great mom but it's absolutely true!

Early Morning Exercises

Okay - they are too young but doesn't this gal look like she is touching her toes?

We moved Fiona and the pups down to my office.

Nathan was afraid they would be too cold - but not so in this office - plus we have a heat lamp.

I have Treasure in this room so the gal in heat can be watched without 3 of us managing everyone.

We still have to rotate when Treasure needs to go outside but now I can work - watch a TV larger than a thumbnail - well not that bad and be close enough to do laundry - eat and all sorts of things you take for granted.

Thanks to our son who walked the dogs last night a couple at a time with Nathan taken those he didn't.

He even managed to get Whitney around the block and do the night duty with Fiona and the pups while I took most of the gals and Nathan took most of the boys for the first solid sleep.

Pups are all 3 days old now. Does time fly. They are all gaining or maintaining and we are weighing them twice a day. We will go to once a day on the 7th day mark.

What tidbit do I know about the pups? The cream/gold one eats the longest of all the pups.

A Mother's Love

I look at Fiona and my heart melts - truly. She looks at those pups as if to say - Mommy - Daddy - look what I did and they are mine!

She gently kisses and cleans them and nudges them and just stares at them.

They can't make a peep without her running to their side to make sure they are perfectly happy.

So, I groom her where she can watch the puppies.
I take all her ponytails out, clipping them with scissors as it is easier - brush out and put them all back in.

Fiona is such a tiny thing - she's back to her 9 lbs. I make sure she gets a massage each day and lots of snuggles and I tell her how wonderful she is in so many ways.

Anyone who has had babies knows the toughest part of being mom is not counting in the equation. For us, it is important that she knows she is amazing and by doing so - she rises to that level of security that is important for 1st time moms.

Oh, I did it with Wasabi who had a litter previous but that first time mom - well you never know how it will turn out and Fiona IS AMAZING.

Pups are getting tummies. The cream has gold in it. The one black appearing one has brown and white - the other seems to be not black at all - just appearing so at this stage. Oh and they have white socks like great grandma, Risa.

They appear to be the strongest little things you ever did see...not wanting for nothing.

Ah...puppies again!

Fiona Resting

As a first time mom, Fiona is beyond amazing.

It's tough getting her out to groom her but I manage to once a day. You have to make her get out of the whelping box to eat and do her business but all the while she is frantic to get back. They make a peep and she is right there.

She hasn't been sleeping - just taking cat naps but today she is snoozing and feeding at the same time. She is learning to get rest. That's a good thing.

All the pups gained an ounce and 1 is holding its weight since 12 hours ago. This means they are getting plenty of nourishment. 3 are at 8 ounces and one at 7.

We will still be diligent but we can relax as we don't have to worry about them getting sufficient nourishment.

Fiona is ever so careful not to lay or step on them or even lose one behind her - which is quite normal for first timers.

Their cords have fallen off and they are crawling up a storm here to there.

One of the blacks has tan/cream coming in and the other has a lightening in the roots - could it be silver? Hmm - time will tell.

Update on Pups/Weights

This was taking this afternoon after 32 hours since their debut.

As you can see, Fiona has been cleaned up. She has her hair in ponytails everywhere to keep the hair off the babies. She no longer has that bloody or green tinge. Mom has a bloody discharge that can usually last up to 2 weeks and that has to be cleaned up whenever you notice.

I completely line comb her daily and then put the ponytails back in but looking for a way to avoid that when Yvonne comes in to watch them next week. I know - maybe just say - let the hair go to hay. It grows back. heh.

Fiona is a mom who just won't leave them alone. They peep - she's in there and she rarely gets out except to drink or nibble.

But because of this, she has a couple of hickeys on her mammary glands that we are catching early and watching how pups grasp on. I never saw a crew so solid on their latching on right from the start.

Good news. All pups - and I checked twice and even put something else in the scale to see if the scale was broken are 7 ounces. That's up from 3 pups at 5 ounces and 1 at 6 ounces. A couple of them lost an ounce at different times - the sable and the cream/gold but they soon made up for it. This is normal but you still worry. Ask Nathan - he worries the most. :-)

Mom doesn't appear to have milk but we think it's due to them sucking her dry. Their little tails are going back and forth as they usually do when they are getting filled up from a feeding and they are not crying except when they are squirming their way to mom.

The pups are doing well. I may even name them and let them get new names. Ideas..send them my way.