Ten Weeks Old

The girls are just getting more beautiful, and their personalities are rounding out. Where before they seemed to fill a specific role (the dominant one, the little one, the gentle one), they are now a little more well-rounded.

Willow

Super-smart and outgoing

Clover

Sweet and playful

Poppy

Attentive and gentle

Eight Weeks Old

Willow

Clover

Poppy

Yes, I missed a week of pictures. We have a new addition to the family--our second child was born December 3. We now have a house full of babies! Canine and human. My hands are officially full.

It's time for the girls to find their new homes. I've honestly fallen in love with each one. But it looks like Poppy will be staying with us.

These puppies, I believe, will grow up to be truly exceptional dogs. Raw weaned, non-vaccinated, full tails, house-raised with the family... everything I could do to get them off to the right start for a long healthy happy life, I've done my best to do. I can't wait to see what's in store for them.

Tails Again

Wow. There was a huge debate on the Healthy Aussies Group about tail-docking. I knew there are strong opinions on both sides, but I was surprised by some of the emotion on the pro-docking side of the debate. Particularly the argument, "If you want a tail, get another breed."

Here are some of the arguments brought up for docking:

• Aussies are a tail-less breed.
• No tail means no tail injuries, stickers, burrs, etc.
• The breed standard says "Natural Bob Tail or Docked" No option for natural long tail.

And for natural tails:

• Tail docking is primarily cosmetic.
• Breeders should be able to choose whether they dock or not.
• Lots of anectodal evidence for better balance, agility, communication, and hind-end health.

The subject of circumcision was brought up, too. Would it be hypocritcal to circumcise one's son but not dock the tails of one's aussie puppies? Maybe. (For the record, we're not going to circumcise.)

I think the above picture of Evan and Poppy playing Chase the Broom shows pretty clearly how, even at six weeks old, the tail is used to aid in balance and turning. I'm sure the puppies would adapt if their tails had been docked. But I like the tails, and I'm always happy to see the puppies using them, whether for balance or for reading their moods. And I hope the new owners feel the same.

Six Weeks Old

The puppies turned six weeks old today, and their personalities are starting to shine.

Even though Poppy is the first born, in many ways she is the middle child. She has a very easy-going personality. She also enjoys the company and attention of the big dogs and my two year-old daughter more than the other pups. Her gentleness is what got Zeke to warm up to all the pups. Zeke now will play with the puppies, as long as no one cries. My guess is he thinks he'll get in trouble if the puppies cry and he's around.

Clover is the sweetheart of the group. When held, she immediately relaxes. She'll chew on your fingers, but is always gentle. She has caught up to Poppy physically, and has no problem holding her own when playing with the other puppies. Of the three, she seems to have the highest toy drive, so far. Her markings are turning out to be just beautiful. The copper markings are kind of "smoky."

Willow is the standout in the group. She's by far the biggest, still, and continues to reach every developmental step first. She's confident, and a real smarty, and learns in one lesson what it often takes the others a few. She is also the loudest, and tends to play the most aggressively. She's the only one I've needed to discipline for chewing on my daughter like a bone. She's the leader, and has shown the other puppies how to climb up and down the steps, and the joys of digging.

Playing

Everybody's having fun!

Like all moms know, multitasking is part of the job. Skittles is playing with one puppy, nursing another, and keeping an eye on the third, who is practicing climbing steps out of frame.

Five Weeks Old

Poppy

Clover

Willow

I can't believe the pups are 5 weeks old already. The first dog that my husband and I adopted together was a blue merle aussie, who was only 5 weeks old. This was ages ago, before we knew better about the ideal age for bringing a puppy into its new family. Hopefully these puppies will be going to their new homes when they are around 9 or 10 weeks.

The puppies are really enjoying their outdoor time, and I feel so lucky to be living in southern California right now. It's mid-November, and the weather is beautiful, sunny and highs in the mid-seventies. Just perfect for running around outside, digging, exploring, climbing and chasing.

They are just beginning to engage in play with the big dogs. Skittles continues to impress me with what a wonderful mom she is. She plays with them so gently, but I can tell she'll be ready to run and wrestle with them as soon as they're big enough.

More Adventures

It's been another week of amazing growth for the puppies. They've learned to stalk, pounce, shake, and chew on toys. Clover, the littlest and sweetest one, has learned to take on the bigger girls. And they've had their first outside adventures. They're still cautious outside, especially when the big dogs try to engage them in some play. They just don't know what to make of that. I'm sure they'll get it in just a few days.

They've also been eating food. First up was some goat's milk, followed by ground turkey mixed in to some of the milk. They moved on to ground turkey with turkey hearts after that.

Tonight I learned that the puppies can definitely handle more. Skittles regurgitated a chunk of her dinner (which was a half chicken) for the puppies. Yes, gross, but also fascinating. I was alerted by an unusual amount of puppy growling as they each claimed their portion of the prize. I intervened just a bit to make sure everyone got a share. Honestly, it was hard for me to not worry about them choking, but they sure acted like they were born to eat this way.

So it's back to Harmony Farms for something a little more substantial to feed the puppies. Probably some chunks instead of ground, and maybe pretty soon onto some cornish game hen or quail so they can get some bone, too.

Four Weeks Old

A few more blurry pictures of the little busy-bodies...


Poppy

Willow

Clover:

"My sock!"

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Hopefully soon I'll have some better pictures to post!

The puppies get exponentially cuter every week. They've just graduated to a larger pen in the house, and they love getting out to explore. This week they've learned how to tug and chew, employ some new wrestling moves, get out of their whelping box, walk on the hardwood floor with minimal slipping, and even run in short bursts.

Three Weeks Old

I learned today that three week-old puppies are very diffcult to photograph. There's barely a still moment when they are awake.

The puppies are getting very playful with each other, their mom, and us. They are woofing and growling and chewing on each other. They get around really well now and enjoy time out of their whelping box to explore. They've also had the chance to meet their dad, who is very quiet and gentle with them, but still cautious.

Poppy and Mom having a playful moment.

More Tailwagging

I've received several very supportive emails about how happy people are to see the tails on these puppies. I'm very appreciative of the kind words. Thank you.

Two Weeks Old

The puppies are two weeks old today. Eyes have just opened, and they're getting around now really well.

These are some content puppies. They make very little noise, and I think that's because Skittles is such an attentive mom. Clover now weighs almost 2 pounds, Poppy is just over 2 pounds, and Willow weighs 2 1/2 pounds.

Poppy

Clover

Willow

Contentment

These girls just keep getting cuter and cuter.

Tails

A nice article on why aussie breeders still dock tails can be found here:

http://allaboutaussies.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/why-are-aussie%e2%80%99s-tails-docked/

The article explains the history of the tail-docking tradition and is summed up by stating that it is tradition that keeps this practice going. It is also stated in the breed standard that the dog have a naturally bobbed or docked tail. I have heard of some imported dogs being shown here with tails, but I don't know how that was received. In countries where tail-docking has come to an end, show standards have changed to accommodate.

People are just used to that distinctive aussie tail-less profile, as well as the characteristic butt-wiggle that compensates for the missing tail. For some of the lighter-boned dogs, taillessness may be the only thing that distinguishes them from a border collie, at least to people who don't know the dog.

There is debate on whether tail docking should be continued. Proponents claim that it is not simply cosmetic or tradition--that there are physical reasons why it's better for these dogs to not have tails. Aussies, unlike border collies, are a breed developed in the West, where they work in dry, rough fields where stickers and all sorts of hazards could prove dangerous with a tail.

Growing up in the rural west, where aussies and border collies were equally common, I never heard a case made for docking a border collie's tail, no matter what the working conditions were. Not that it never happened, I just never heard of it. As far as I could see, border collies had tails, aussies didn't, and cattledogs could go either way. Tradition.

Personally, I love seeing aussies with tails. I am inclined to liking the different, especially if it is a natural alternative. I do believe there are physical reasons to keep tails in tact as well. (Be sure to read the comments after the article mentioned above). Most aussies have coarse outer coats that make stickers not much of an issue. I've mostly noticed stickers being more of an issue in the toes or ears than anywhere else. They brush right out of the rest of the coat. Being in a chiropractic family, I am also aware that there are reasons why having a tail, which is a continuation of the spine, is beneficial. An in tact tail is better for control of the muscles of the hind end, bowel health, pelvic alignment, and balance.

So for me, it comes down to an issue of cosmetics or health. These puppies will be keeping their tails, especially since they will not be registered and the show ring is not in their future anyway. There was a time when I might have had them docked for the "socially acceptable" factor, but not today. Maybe these guys with their full, beautiful tails, will give some border collie a run for his money on the agility course.

One Week Old

The puppies are one week old today. They're scooting around really well. They can all hold their tails up, lift their front ends off the floor, and they all have that "scratch reflex"--if you tickle their bellies or behind their ears, that back leg starts moving!

They all get a few minutes of handling each day, by myself as well as by our 2 1/2 year-old daughter, who gets to hold the puppies on her lap. The puppies are all handling it well, settling in quickly into our hands.

Poppy

Clover

Willow

Tailwaggers

It's amazing the difference just a few days makes.

The puppies are excellent nursers, and it's the cutest thing ever to watch their tails wag after successfully latching on. It's tough to tell in the picture, but all three pups are wagging their tails now.

I'm so glad we're keeping the tails on these guys. There are lots of reasons (more on that later), but right now, they're just adorable. Just look at those white tips!

Some Good News

I needed a little good news and some reassurance, so I decided to weigh the puppies.

All the puppies have put on one-and-a-half to two ounces since I weighed them the day after their birth. Good news! And they all look good. Willow in particular practically glows.

Loss

We lost River last night. He had not been doing well. While the other puppies seem to get stronger by the hour, River was getting listless. And he wasn't nursing. I could get him into position, but he just wouldn't latch on. I was able to get him some milk, and I was up about every hour and a half last night trying to get him to nurse. Dale helped too, and adjusted him. But nothing seemed to get him going. This morning Dale found him pushed away from the others, who were snuggled up against Skittles's belly.

I am heartbroken. This whole deal with having puppies has been more stressful and emotional than I had imagined. I thought it would be hard, but ultimately fun. I did not expect so much worry and tears.

I know I need to stop asking all the why questions and feeling sorry. I'm sure there is a reason, and maybe the heartbreak now is saving us (or a new owner) from worse heartbreak later on. It's time to focus on the three beautiful pups we have and be grateful.

Puppy Weigh-In

I only have a cheap little scale, not electronic, but I thought it would give me some idea of where the pups are starting off their new lives. The weights are not likely accurate, but I'm hoping that over time they'll at least be consistently showing some growth.

Clover: 6 ounces

Poppy: 8 ounces

River: 9 ounces

Willow: 10 ounces

Puppies Have Arrived

Poppy

light red tri female with a white blaze and a spot of white at the back of the neck

Clover

black tri female with a white patch on the side of the neck

Willow

black tri female with lots of copper, white muzzle, and nearly full white collar

River

black tri male with a thin white collar

The Parents

Zeke and Skittles hiking in the Angeles National Forest.

Labor Begins

Skittles woke me up this morning with some major panting. For the last 3 hours or so, she's been panting, shivering, and occasionally vomiting. I've been letting her go outside frequently, and she seems to really like drinking the water outside. It's the same as the inside water, just colder. Hence the vomiting, probably.