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.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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
Friday, October 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
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.
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
Friday, October 16, 2009
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!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Monday, October 12, 2009
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
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Puppies Have Arrived
Poppy
light red tri female with a white blaze and a spot of white at the back of the neck
Cloverblack 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
Riverblack tri male with a thin white collar
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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.
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