Retiring Dixie

I don't wish to squelch the joy of our new litter....But I want to announce my decision to retire Dixie from puppy breeding.   I am sad to announce this, as I know many people would have loved one of her puppies next year.   But I feel that this is the best thing for Dixie's health.

Our Whelping Story...

Yesterday was such a fretful day for me.  Dixie was very restless, panting heavily all day, and hiding in the dog Kennel.  Occasionally she would start tearing her sheets apart.  I figure she must have been feeling contractions.

By the time the afternoon came around and there was no change, I decided to go to visit the veterinary.   I didn't actually take Dixie with me.  In her present state, I didn't dare disturb her.  Instead I took Toby with me....for a 'health check'.  But obviously I just wanted an excuse to talk to another vet about Dixie.

...Make that 6 Boys!

I thought Dixie was all done.  It had been an hour since the 5th puppy was born. She was all relaxed. The puppies were all nursing.  Suddenly she jumped up and ran to the door.   It's normal for a dog to go use the potty after birthing....so I let her outside.   I watched her from the window while she wandered about the yard in the morning sun.   Suddenly she stopped, sat down and began licking her back side.  When she didn't get up after a minute, I began to wonder.  Could it be she delivered another puppy?   I ran outside to check.   And there was a little red puppy lying next to Dixie in the grass.  ....And can you believe it is another BOY!   Wow!  6 Boys!  I never would have guessed.

Such funny little hamsters, these puppies be!

Oh and by the way....this little boy is the smallest of the litter.  He weighs 5.3 oz.  and was born at 9:35 am.   I will double check all the puppy weights later on.  Right now, I don't want to disturb the happy crew.

We have 5 Apricot Schnoodle Boy Puppies!!

After a long night without much rest for me or Dixie, our first puppy boy was born at 6:10 am

#1 Puppy - Boy   8.1 oz.    Light 6:10 am
#2 Puppy - Boy   10.3 oz.  Medium  6:32 am
#3 Puppy - Boy   9.0 oz     Dark   7:32 am
#4 Puppy - Boy   8.5 oz     Medium   8:02 am
#5 Puppy - Boy   8.6 oz     Dark  8:36 am

Bonus pup:
 #6 - Boy  5.3 oz  Dark 9:35 am

Charting Canine Temperatures for Whelping

Thursday Night at 10 am:
Today I called my veterinary to discuss Dixie's whelping date, as it seemed she was a bit late.  The vet  said that Dixie is not late if we calculate the due date from the date of the last breeding.   So using the date of  March 27, 2013 (date of last breeding) Then we get a due date of  Friday, June 29, 2013.   And that date actually puts Dixie back on schedule.

The Difficulty of Whelping Predictions

Hi all!   Are you getting as impatient as I am waiting for puppies?  Remember the saying, ' a watched pot never boils'....Consequently, I am trying to go about my life and not hover over Dixie too much:)

So obviously the due date calculations are quite different from last year.  Last year Dixie whelped on Day 59 (a week before the due date)....this year Dixie is still waiting to whelp on Day 66.  

Still waiting! Dixie is getting nice and round!

Hi everybody!   Sorry to say...no puppies yet!   But no worries!  Dixie's pregnancy is still looking healthy and normal.   She does look to be waiting herself!  She doesn't walk very far out the door.  She seems to be pretty tired.   She just looks so very large and full right now.

Just a few moments ago, I went out on the deck and Dixie came along and plopped down near the top step.  It was if she was thinking...'There is no way I am going down those stairs!

Coco decided to give it a try without her!  This was actually an exciting event for me, because Coco has been very timid of stairs ever since we got her.  Today is the first day that she has gone up and down the stairs on her own.!

6 month puppy update ...Coco's training

Coco is fast approaching her half year mark!   How  I love a 6 mth old puppy!  They are still young and adorable....but by 6 mths a well trained dog has learned so much!

Coco...nearly 6 mths old

During Coco's first several months in our home, she was super bouncy  adorable, but naughty little puppy that required a lot of training and patience.   She was constantly biting hold of everything in her path.  She was always jumping on us and biting our pant legs.  And of course....there were some potty training accidents.   Not that any of these things made her a 'bad puppy'.   It is just the natural stage that puppies go through.  And knowing that we would get through these habits in a few months made it much easier to deal with.  But it also impressed on us, the importance of good training..

Ruby's 1 Year Update

1 year old Ruby

I am so excited!  I have another letter from one of our puppy families...and lots of photos!  We are so thrilled to see that you and Ruby are doing so  well!  Thank you, Rachel and Laura!

Hi Mary,

We have been wanting to get in touch with for some time now and send you pictures of Ruby and to update you on how she is doing.









Our little 'Rubster' is now 13 lbs. and full of energy!  She is a very smart, loving and obedient dog.  She knows her toys by name (monkey, lion, rabbit, bone, ball) and will fetch and bring them back to us.  For instance, if we say, "Ruby, go get monkey", within a few seconds she will have her monkey in her mouth
ready to give to us.

Some of her favorite treats are bully sticks, her Kong toy filled with peanut butter, and natural sweet potato chips for dogs.

Countdown to Whelping

Dixie prefers the coolness of the kitchen floor these last few weeks.

This is the last week before Dixie's due date!  It is a vigilant and exciting time.  We are keeping an eye on Dixie for signs that whelping is near.

June 25 is the expected date of whelping based on averages.   Whelping may take place from the 59th (June 20) to the 65th day (June 26).  If Dixie is late for whelping, then the latest date is day 70 (July1)  If we were to start approaching that day, I would  make a veterinary appointment to see what should be done.

Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Virginia

My friend Cherie breeds Shih Tzu puppies.  She has a beautiful litter of puppies that she is offering for sale.  Cherie is a small home breeder, like myself, and has put a lot of love and care into her litter.  If you are looking to own a Shih Tzu puppy, I highly recommend one of these precious babies.  There are 3 girls and 1 boy.  Check out Cherie's website for more information,  http://lakeacresshihtzu.weebly.com/

Preggy Mama....Dixie update!

I wanted to give a Dixie Pregnancy update for all those waiting for a puppy this summer.   Dixie is doing well.  She is starting to get a roundish tummy. Now is the time when the puppies will start growing very quickly inside of her.  Dixie's shape will change rapidly in the next few weeks.

I got Dixie a new bed, so she could be extra comfy during her pregnancy.

Dixie had more morning sickness this time around than last time.    One morning several weeks ago, I fed Dixie her morning breakfast and after she ate she went right back to bed and didn't get up most of the day.  At that time I knew for sure that Dixie's pregnancy had taken.   Usually morning is the most energetic time of the day for a dog.  Dixie especially is anxious to run out in the yard and sniff around.  It was like that a lot of days.  Dixie was just very sleepy.  Her demeanour was less cheerful.  And she didn't feel like eating much.