One-Week Birthday

Happy, first (week) birthday to the Wine litter. All of the pups are growing at an appropriate rate, each doubled their birthweight by this morning. Mr Red is now slightly more than 1 1/2 pounds and the rest are between 2 pounds 2 ounces and 2 pounds 3 ounces.

The temperature dropped precipitously last night till it was 17 degrees out this morning. Since we heat with wood, that means more work and tending for Andy and I. The house temperature is usually in the low 60s but we're keeping it around 68 for the pups. Thankfully, they now have a little control over their body temperature so we don't have to worry as much as we did last week about chills. They are also VERY mobile and vocal so they can scootch over to the other pups or to the heating pad. And when all else fails, they can holler at the tops of their lungs until someone comes to their rescue. One thing about this bunch, they are not shy about expressing their opinions.

All of the pups' pigment is completely in so they have dark black noses and muzzles and beautiful black pads on their feet. They are thick bodied and heavier than you would think they would be by looking at them. They have chunky heads and lots of bone. I can't tell much about coat but they have lots of wrinkles. Hopefully that is a sign of good coat not of a Shar-pei relative.

The whelping box now has obstacles in it. Well, they are really just stuffed animals but when you are 7-days old, they can be significant obstacles. Today they will get to smell evergreen and tomorrow is pigeon. That's a big day!

Marcy and Lise are coming to visit this weekend so hopefully we'll get some individual shots to put up on SimpleSite. I'm still working on the video.