June 29:  all pups and mom looking very good.  Tried to feed pups Benebac gel (probiotic bacteria) without success (will get tips on best way to do this).  Ambient temperature was in the low 70's -- seemed to be good for pups, they were not piled up.  Again slept in shifts to observe pups through night.

June 30:  Everyone continues to do very good.  Got some quick photos today.  This is the day for dewclaw removal for those pups with rear dewclaws.  We have decided to use the same convention as Sugarok kennel, we will remove both front and rear dewclaws on those pups that have rear dewclaws so that it will be evident on these dogs (as adults) that they had rear dewclaws.  Suzi was taken out for a walk when the dewclaws were removed -- good thing, they cried very loud and she would have been quite upset.  Fortunately, they did not seem to cry for long.  We had planned on starting special conditioning (from the US Army Bio-sensor or Superdog prgram) that should aid the pups throughout their lives but, in light of the trauma of the dewclaw removal, decided to wait a couple of days before starting.

Suzi is being very attentive of her pups but came to socialize briefly with Lola and Buster today -- and then hurry back to her pups.  Lola and Buster are curious about pups but we are maintaining them separate from them.  Suzi's interest in toys and Nylabones is returning.  We are now able to tell pups apart without any identifying ribbons.  John slept in living room very close to puppies to be nearby in case of need.  Checked several times due to noises but not needed.

July 1:  Pups gaining well, esp. #2.  Funny watching the girl eat -- will exhaust one nipple of milk while laying on one side, rolls onto belly, exhausts another, rolls to opposite side, and moves to yet another.  Able to get Benebac probiotic gel into pups today and also able to trim nails using human nail clippers.  Nails were already amazingly long and sharp considering their age.  Tried sleeping in our own bedroom tonight (still very close to puppies).  Got up several times to check on odd noises but there were no problems.

July 2:  Mom & pups continue to do quite well; all pups gaining weight well.  After a "break" following dewclaw removal, we have begun the "superdog" conditioning program today with a conservative 3 second conditioning period (details about the program can be found here -- http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html ).  Able to maintain ambient temperature in mid to high 70's in day and no lower than 70 at night without supplemental heating -- seems fine with pups (no bunching/huddling).

July 3:  Puppies are starting to act more dog-like -- stretching, etc., rather than just twitching and laying around.  Suzi bringing plush toys into pool; using her lamb as a pillow.  Suzi is very interested and seems a little concerned with the superdog conditioning we are doing with the puppies -- she watches very closely.

July 4-7:   Pups continue to gain nicely.  Puppies often snuggling with toys that Suzi has brought into the pool. 

July 5:  Benebac given.

July 6:  Pups get a nail clip.

July 8:  Pup #1 seems to be trying to get out of the pool, even trying to climb up on Suzi to get higher up the wall of the pool.

July 9:  One of the boys (#2 or 3) was trying to stand during the daily weigh-in -- very wobbly & unsteady and for only a few seconds but definitely trying to stand.  Eyes seem to be starting to open at the corners on the girl and one or two others.

July 10:  All of the pups are slightly ahead of schedule on weight gain (2 lb at 2 weeks of age).  The girl opened her eyes during the superdog conditioning, especially the part she likes the least (on her back).

July 11:  A couple of the pups are up and walking this morning.  Hey, who's been sneaking the puppies liquor?  They're staggering and bobbing and weaving and then collapsing exhausted and falling asleep.  Most of the pups are doing better with the superdog conditioning and are more accepting of it (or, at least, most of it).

July 12:  All pups doing well and getting even more accepting of the conditioning. 

July 13:  Puppies have completed their superdog training!  Another quick nail clipping as well -- most pups were very accomodating for this.

July 14:  We think we are seeing signs that Suzi may be regurgitating her food to try to wean her pups -- seeing small amounts of possibly "recycled kibble" in pool.  Will try keeping her away from pups for an hour or so after eating (and will try introducing the pups to softened kibble towards the end of the week).

July 15:  Ok, we stand corrected.  Puppies are learning to "eliminate".  If you may not know, when puppies are born, they do not know how to pee or poop and the mother licks them to stimulate this (and eats it -- this was probably instinctive to keep the den from smelling foul to help keep it hidden from predators).  Evidently, the pups are starting to pee and poop in the whelping pool.  Time to expand to a larger area for the pups so that they can have a separate area for "waste".  We'll still be trying some softened kibble soon anyway.

July 18:  Started on kibble puffs today (kibble softened by soaking in evaporated milk approx 2 hours = perfect puffs). Hand fed at first, then presented dish of "gruel" to each pup, one at a time, so they learn food comes from dish.

July 19:  Pups walking more & getting somewhat playful & interactive. All eating kibble puffs - now at 3 weeks old.

July 20:  Pups & Suzi daycared at the vet today while we attended the wake of John's father.  They did just fine there - although Suzi didn't eat.  Each pup got some kibble puffs at night but nursed from Suzi during the daytime.

July 21: Pups & Suzi daycared at the vet again today so we could attend Dad's funeral.  They did good again today. Pups nursed with Suzi during the day.  All eating out of common kibble dish - evaporated milk used to soak/soften kibble.   Pups much more playful now - plan to introduce some toys tomorrow. One pup got out overnight & was crying for mom ;)

July 22: Lots of fun with small plus toys and a small rubber ball. Pups very interactive! Also lots of wrestling & falsetto godzilla-type action...then "Oh...we're soooo tired...& lots of nap time. Pooping & peeing freely but Suzi insistent at getting to them at certain times to feed & clean them up.  Trying to get them to use to using newspaper to eliminate on...often used but not always. Rubber backed fleece material very good - absorbs pee like magic.  Still would like more on paper and to learn that fleece is for bedding.  Able to pick up #2 with tissue & flush.

July 23:  Suzi has been sleeping outside the puppy pen now. We let her in and out during the night as needed.

July 25:  John hung up a toy for them to play with in the pen so it dangles down from a cord for the to bat around.  Hershey & SuzieQ are taking notice of it after "lunch". Hershey definitely has the water lapping down pat & SuzieQ seems to be going to the water bowl now as well. We are trying new things with paper training - took out all cloth bedding & left only newspaper.  Now they sometimes sleep on the paper and eliminate on the linolium - hopefully they will figure out eliminating on the papers - in the meantime careful watch & clean-up of linolium.

July 26: 4 weeks old now. Nail triming & weighing being done weekly.  Photo shoot today as well - trying to do weekly. #1 & #4 most photogenic today. Pups eating well although they also walk and sit in the food bowl....such fun stuff!

July 27:  Hershey #3 & Marvin #2 went outside today. Hershey on the deck - he moved about a bit exploring & was trying to get under the railing.  Marvin of course was on the move right away - he adjusts readily to any new surroundings & is off exploring - not to be kept in one area.  He also had a chance to try out the grassy backyard.  Letting Suzi in about 2 times per day now for brief periods since they are weaning nicely.

July 29:  All pups took to dry kibble this morning with very little coaxing - a few days earlier some took a few - other spit out.

July 30, 31 August 1: