J-S Pups Day 4 & 5: Cuteness & Reality

 Life has been busy, at work and home with the pups.  The pups are downright adorable and it is amazing to see how they change daily, losing their stripes, gaining weight and touring the whelping box. 

  For those that think that breeding is an easy, money making measure, you couldn't be more wrong.  Breeders like myself spend much time and money in planning and making a litter happen.  Sometimes breedings do not take and you are out money spent on reproductive testing and procedures.  Other times, you can have a healthy litter with no problems.  Or, sadly, puppies are born dead or die within days as mother nature can be cruel.  After our pups are whelped, great care is taken into ensuring that they continue to thrive. Part of the daily routine includes weighing them and charting their growth.  Charting their weights is critical in monitoring their health and if a pups is not gaining or worse, continuously losing weight, then lifesaving measures are needed.   One of our girls has not been doing well, not able to nurse and losing weight becoming dehydrated.  We have been tube feeding her every two hours round the clock and administering an antibiotic.  She seems minimally better but the odds are not with her.  We pray she will make it and are devoted to trying what we can.  The next few days will be difficult and telling. If she improves, she will likely grow up to be a normal healthy dog.  The alternative is heartbreaking. Breeding is not for the faint of heart...