Now that things have calmed down and we are in a routine, I wanted to share a few pictures from our July 29th Whelp. It was a long week trying to be patient waiting for our puppies to arrive. After a week of disrupted sleep, waking up each night and checking on Ruska, I was not well rested when the main event began. On the afternoon of the 28th, we were certain Ruska was finally in labor, She spent a restless evening between our sofa and floor. Ruska started to deliver puppies early morning just after 2 am and continued for 12 hours until 2 pm when she delivered her 11th puppy. My daughter was a great help to me durning the whelping process and my husband Tom kept the coffee coming and preparing food for us. Ruska, the star of the Whelp, did an amazing job! Each time I see a puppy born I’m reminded of creation, the miracle of birth and am again amazed at the natural instincts animals have been given!.
A newborn puppy stays warm with Ruska after she cleaned him. Pups stay with their mom for awhile after birth. We then examine them, towel dry them, weigh them and record their birth weight. Finally we put collars on – a different coloured ribbon on each puppy to keep track of their progress in the coming days and weeks.
Puppies in our “warming bed” while Ruska delivers another puppy. Newborn puppies must be warm before they can nurse.
We get newborn puppies nursing as soon as possible to get that all important first milk – colostrum. It helps build immunity, as they are born with none. The protein-rich special milk provides passive immunity in dogs. It can last several weeks and protect them from various infections and diseases.
After 12 hours of Whelping, a little girl arrives – Puppy #11. Notice her pink nose. Pigment hasn’t developed yet. Puppies nose and little pink pads on their feet will begin changing in the next few days.
Puppies are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, not able to see or hear. Only minutes old this puppy has the amazing ability to crawl to her mother and begin to nurse without any help.
