Now that the pups are a little bit older and are doing well, we've started to add a few things to the whelping box to help with their development. We've added a big orange frog, a leather glove, a soft rubber dog and a foam bumper.  This will give them a few new textures and scents.   We've also put a couple of rolled towels under the fleece to give then some "mountains" and "valleys". ESI and ESN continues, of course, and tonight their scent was cloves.  Although I record their reactions to each different smell, whether they like it or hate it isn't the point - it's just stretching their little brains.

Someone is always in with the pups and with Micha at this point - 24/7. The pups can't see, hear or move very well et so that combined with a tired, first-time mom means not leaving them alone together as she could easily roll on one and not even realize it.  Thought you might enjoy a picture of the "pit box" as well call it.

Their eyes will be opening soon so pictures will be a bit limited for a while.  Enjoy!

It seems crazy that 5 days have gone by already.  I sweat that every time I look at them they are bigger!  Watching them nurse is like watching a mosh pit.

Tonight's odour was cedar.  No one was too impressed.

Today's ESI scent was rosemary and it sure was a popular one!  Lots of deep intakes of breath and a few buried their noses right in it.  So cute to see!

They're growing like weeds!  Definitely less room in the warming basket.  A few are almost up on all fours and all are vigorous and very strong.  Eating like champs. 

Hard to believe these guys are 3 days old today!  Today marked the start of their Early Scent Introduction and the scent of the day was lemon.  Fascinating to watch the different reactions. We also started their Early Neurological Stimulation exercises. They are very strong, very active and have definitely grown!

Today was a good day for the litter.  Micha's milk has come in and everyone made good gains.  We did their nails for the first time - boy, those grow fast and put on nice new collars.  Enjoy the pics and video from today!

Pretty much sums up the NASCAR litter's life right now.  They are very active pups with good vigour.  Will let the pics tell the story of Day 2 in their lives.

After an eventful day that ended in a csection, the NASCAR litter is here - 6 boys and 3 girls.

Introducing the Girls:

Miss Purple
Miss Pink
Miss Red

The Boys:

Mr. Blue
Mr. Grey
Mr. Gold
Mr. Orange
Mr. Black
Mr. Green

Mich is a little freaked out by this - very common after a C section - so we have hands on her 24/7.  Just gives us more excuses to hang with the pups!

Micha's whelping window opens on Sunday so not much longer to go now.  Spending  the days getting everything set up.  In case you haven't guessed it, the litter theme is NASCAR!

We're about 10 days out from the opening of Micha's whelping window and she's definitely feeling her pregnancy now.  She's still eating like a horse, but is hot more of the time (thank goodness that heat wave broke and we have a pond) and is definitely slowing down.  We're still quartering with her to keep her on birds (plus she loves it!) but no big marks, blinds of water since she still tries to leap.  Obedience is limited to some directed gloves, signals/command discrimination, articles, and some doodling at the slow pace. She can't really "strut" anymore so there's no point in asking, she's too thick to spin/twist and even her fronts are a bit off with that belly getting in the way.  She's not as big as Bon was (thank goodness) but she's definitely ungainly.  Sorry girl!  I'll make it up to you!