This site was last updated 31-12-2003 ©The Sounding Burrows
The Second Week
After having had a terrible night between sunday August 4 and monday 5, in which Glee didn't drink between 22:00 and 03:45 and Ashop carried her around all the time, things are improving. Last night she drank on her own at regular intervals, the same as Henbane. Sometimes I manage to get them to lie next to each other whilst drinking, but most of the times they lie on top of one another and Henbane is too heavy for Glee. Therefore I have to keep watch all the time, but they are doing very well otherwise. I am anxiously waiting to see if Glee's eyes will open on the same day as Henbane's or that being so small causes her to delay.
You can see how much bigger Henbane is.
Ashop seems to think everything is going fine, because she won't stay with them all the time anymore.
N.B. You can see I have changed the crate - it was far too big for her and now it fits on the bed, so Rune and Larousse can walk free in the house. It will get a new coat of paint when the pups are grown (and we don't need it anymore. That's very handy ... LOL)
The way I like it best, but it is not always what I get ... Fortunately Ashop is very easygoing and I can help Glee, by laying Henbane in a more appropriate position. Otherwise Glee is either crushed or gets kicked in the gut :-(. Glee is improving though, because she gives at good as she gets and struggles and gets on top!
Henbane chooses as a favorite position momma's back. At first I thought she had lost her way, but she does it every time and knows her way back to the tits, so I leave her there.
Tryfan finally gets what he wants and is allowed back into the bedroom again. Fescue can't be trusted and stays with my mom for a while. Ashop worries far too much when she is around.
Rune and Larousse think it is a good time to confiscate Tryfan's little bed next to my desk.
Watch out, Rune, your tail is being had for lunch!
The grass is flooded by now and I have removed part of it, so Rune and Larousse get the chance to prove they love swimming as much as the other dogs do (I'll take them out for a swim in a couple of weeks, but for now I stay close to home - I have to make sure Glee and Henbane are alright).
Another shot of Rune and Larousse.
This is my new solution to the swimming grass. Keeps my house clean and dry, but now I find wood all over and Rune and Larousse seem to think it is their new dinner.
There is no denying it: they love it!
I almost crept into the wall to make this photo: Tryfan is at front to keep watch, Ashop and pups safely in the crate.
Wednesday August 7
The unspeakable has happened: Glee has pneumonia. Last night I rushed to the vet and got some antibiotics. It probably came from getting milk into her lungs. Otherwise it could be the weather: it is very hot and humid all the time and then suddenly it starts raining and the wind comes blowing in. I don't know whether to keep the windows shut or open. When I close them the dogs pant like crazy, when open I fear everyone might catch a cold (mostly me first). It is incredible, I thought she would die during the night, but she is still with us, not giving up and she has gained 30 grams yesterday. That is more than at any day till now.
This is how it was.
This is what it looks like now. Now I don't dare leave them alone for fear they will suffocate ...
Glee having a meal.
And when she is done.
One more 'before' picture.
And for those of you who think I keep updating and how can I find the time when I need to take such intensive care of my pups: my computer is in my bedroom and it is about the only thing I can do apart from sitting still and watching my dogs.
Thursday August 8
Late afternoon: incredible but Glee is improving.Overnight she didn't want to eat anymore, she just slept, so I fed her canned puppymilk. Seems like sucking and breathing at the same time was just too much of an effort when her nose was all clogged up. Now her nose is still running a bit, but she is eager to get to the nipples and doesn't need my coaxing. Also she looks very content and that is what keeps mé going on. No use in supporting a pup that doesn't want to make the effort, but this one wants to live. And the vet gave the verdict "Healthy" apart from the pneumonia (when they are so small you start to suspect anything).
I mean content
Sunday August 11
It's a full two weeks now and Glee is finally fattening up. I can see it on the base of her tail: she has energy to spare for the first time in her life. Not that she is big or anything, 275 gram. Henbane has all the right proportions by now and is 540 gram. Not that they have had it easy: first there was the heatwave, then we set off home where it normally is very quiet, but now my neighbors new girlfriend was moving in. Ashop is usually a very complacent dog: very well behaved, barks next to never and knows my neighbors, but these pups made her very protective. Fescue was very protective too and one might easily get bitten when coming too near. Ashop does it differently: no aggression to people or dogs nearby, she just hides the pups. People outside the door, now that was a different matter, barking she flew towards the door and stayed there, grunting and sniffing. The movers were busy for about three days and it was a constant coming and going of different people. That was really harmful for Glee and Henbane, because Ashop would rush away during feeds to chase away these intruders and not come back till they were gone - that could take hours. I intervened (like always it seems) and stayed next to her when feeding, my hand on her back to keep her from running off. That did the trick - I didn't even have to use force, just being there and telling her to stay was enough, but I feel I haven't seen anything but my bedroom for years! Luckily we are down to a feed every hour and a half, sometimes leaving even two hours in between.Rune and Larousse are doing fine, Larousse has started growing adult molars I believe. His mouth hurt and he was a bit off colour. So ... he thought is was a wise idea to eat a cactus!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a smart move and now his mouth really hurts. I had to clean the mess up and pull the stings out of his mouth. That was upsetting! He hated me for half a day after that and didn't trust me as far as he could see me. So I left Henbane and Glee for half an hour and took out some special play and learning time with Larousse and now his trust has returned. Both he and Rune are growing up to be very well behaved dogs: they can sit and stay on call, they sit when I prepare food, sit when they come home and I open up the door and - best of all - when the doorbell rings they go to their places and lie down!
Here it goes on
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5 Months|Pupoverview
