Cuddles and Puddles

So, it's been a long couple weeks. The puppies are SOOOOO big!!!! They all have grown so much. They have gone from reactionary to contemplative and THAT'S scary!!! It means they are full of intention and TROUBLE! lol And that's exactly what they are at the moment especially with 8 of them! It's really quite amazing to watch such a small little being process a thought. You can see it on their faces. They are no longer rushing outside to follow their mom, Kuna. Many of them have figured out that if they wait in the kitchen (where they spend their time) by the sliding door, she'll be back. They've been keeping us on our toes.

Their personalities are coming out in every way. Some want to play as soon as they wake up, some are bold and can go outside to the far fence without anyone else around, some need loves from either their mother or me as soon as they are conscious. Panda, my little girl, is going to be a complicated mix of independence and cuddler. I have no doubt that she will take after mom in so many ways. It makes me laugh, she is already a picky eater like her mother.

We have been working on getting them outside to go to the bathroom as soon as they wake up and right after they eat. It makes for a nicer morning and day if there isn't as much clean up. If the new parents keep up a schedule these little babies will be potty trained in no time.

I think the whole family will be sad to see the puppies go, but we are all SOOOOO ready for a quiet house. We have worked so hard these last few months to help give these puppies a great start to life. We are tired of cleaning puppy poop (or at least in the volume that 8 puppies make, lol) and we are tired of crying babies and constant worry. There is no doubt that breeding boxers is HARD, HARD work and should be done with the knowledge of how hard and how time consuming.

We have been very blessed on this journey of bringing gorgeous boxer puppies into this world. They have reminded us how important the small things in life are and made clear how important it is to enjoy life a little more. You can't help but get that happy, warm and fuzzy feeling inside when you cuddle with one of these guys.

8 puppies = 8 x Poo (and one Panda Bear)

Well. That may sound a little crude. Well maybe a lot crude, but it's also SO very true. When you have a litter of puppies you encounter more poop in your life than you EVER wanted!!!! lol

That said, we have been enjoying watching the puppies grow. We have enjoyed watching them become aware of their surroundings and gain eye sight and hearing. They are so adorable at this time with lots of puppy kisses and hugs for anyone willing to pick them up. They are also LOUD. Last night was the first night in several weeks that I got to sleep a whole night through.

I have been advertising on Kijiji (Ebay Classifieds) to sell the puppies. Now, selling things is never fun, but selling these sweet little babies is even less so. I don't like the idea of panhandling the babies we all worked so hard to bring into this world. lol But these guys need new homes. I certainly couldn't handle all these babies staying with us forever! Gosh, we can barely handle all 8 of them now. So I am hoping to have them all at least on-hold in the next two weeks. It would be one less worry for me knowing they are placed in good homes.

Now another consideration to take into account when raising puppies is the possibility of diseases. Now I have never been a big fan of vaccinations as I have a horror story that I still get chills when I tell. I had just bought Kuna. She had been vaccinated by the breeder. They told me what brand to buy and where to buy it (I have given dog shots before). When it was time for her booster I bought the vaccination and gave it to her about 9 p.m. at night. It was still nice out and Max and Kuna had been outside to go potty. Her cute little self came traipsing in . . . with huge mosquito bites! I couldn't believe it. I looked at them and then looked at Max (who was oddly bite free) and was totally confused. But she acted fine otherwise so I didn't make a big deal about it. About ten minutes later I looked down at her and the bug bites had tripled ALL over her body. I freaked out. Then I decided I shouldn't freak out, she looked fine. But then two minutes later it looked ever worse. I yelled to my mom that I was taking her to the after-hours vet (yes, it was a gigantic bill). By the time I arrived at the hospital, which was about 10-12 minutes away from my house, Kuna's whole head was SWOLLEN! She could barely blink and she was clearly upset, shivering. I thought for sure she was going to die. But, luckily, she lived. She got a couple of shots and was fine. So this is the story that has me so trigger shy on giving vaccinations. I researched and researched and have found studies and trainers who refuse to give vaccinations to their dogs for the very reason and for many others. I am very scared and know that it's very possible that one of these puppies could have the same reaction as their mother. Studies have shown that waiting until they are 12-13 weeks old gives them less of a chance of reactions like this. I have decided to vaccinate them, despite my better judgment. I know that it WILL in the long run be a better start for them.

So, we are picking up lots of poo, plugging our ears at night from puppies who now know what freedom is, aaaaaaand spending lots of time looking for families for our puppies. It's hard work and we are all really tired already (and we have three more weeks!) but it's been worth it. Especially with the new addition to our family, Panda Bear!!!

Here are few photos of Panda (and one of me).

Two Weeks, Too happy

Wow. Nothing like 8 new beings to keep you up at night, keep you worried during the day and keep you on your toes. lol

So just over two weeks ago, we had 8 gorgeous boxer puppies. Since then our life has changed pretty dramatically. The puppies had to get big enough that Kuna wouldn't accidently lay on one and suffocate it. I barely slept the first week. Like I literally woke up every time I heard puppies cry or Kuna move to make sure all puppies were safe. The whole family was involved in "counting the puppies". Looking back it's rather ridiculous, but I couldn't imagine what affect it would have on the family if we were to lose a pup. Yes, I want all the puppies to grow into wonderful dogs, but I for sure don't want this to be traumatic for my family either.

Between days 3 to 5, the tail and dew claws must be removed. Many breeds recommend or require that tails be docked and most purebreds get their dew claws removed to avoid painful injuries later in life. I have heard many people wonder why dock the tail? Or its just cosmetic. When I hear those things, I think that they must never have owned a boxer before. If you have you know how unaware they are of their own bodies, lol. They run into things, bonk their heads, they hurt themselves and they just keep going, nothing stops them. Well both Kuna and Max have tails docked and dew claws removed, buuuuuut they have floppy ears. Ear cropping is now shunned by many. But after owning Max I have learned that there really was a medical reason for cropping the ears. Max, especially in his younger years, constantly tore his ears and would take months and months to get them healed. He would shake his head and his scab would come off and the bleeding would start again. This happened multiple times with constant and daily first aid applications to help heal it. It was a nightmare. So here is my stance on ear cropping and tail docking: I think it's inhumane to make a dog suffer when there is a way that it can be avoided. If I could do it all again, Max and Kuna would both have their ears cropped for purely medical reasons. I plan on doing my new puppy's ears as a way to avoid the ear issues we've had with Kuna and Max.

Now having a purebred litter of puppies also brings the responsibility of finding them homes. It's very important to me to find them wonderful and loving forever homes. I prefer that the new homes have children and active lives because that's where boxers belong. I am responsible for bringing these 8 lives into the world and it's my responsibility to make sure they get the life they deserve. Yes, money is important. Raising a litter of puppies is taxing on my Kuna and on the whole family. So if you are interested in buying a puppy and you don't like the higher price, remember this blog and all the things that have gone right and WRONG that just couldn't fit on this blog. My puppies are loved, handled with care and their well being is the number one priority for the whole family. They are worth what I am asking.

We have one puppy that does not have the personality to fight over the good teats. She gives them up to the other bigger puppies right away. This, no surprise, is White Cloud (Remie to her new parents) who was the first puppy born IN THE FRONT LAWN. She has stayed true to emergence into our world. She doesn't do anything like the others. She is on the small side, so we have had to supplement her with milk replacer. Though she was the first to open her eyes, but last to get her tail docked and dew claws removed because she was TOO little. She has walked the soonest. I found her in the middle of the living room floor late one night crying. lol We are quite attached, but she has proven herself to be quite charismatic as she is the first pup to find a new home. I think she is going to be a special girl for the lucky new parents.

So, between Kuna's HUGE meals, White Cloud's bottle feedings and antics, and trying to find them all homes, my family is quite busy.

Please contact me if you are interested in a puppy as I have four left: A white female, two reverse brindle females and one reverse brindle male. My email is brightpath4@gmail.com

We have PUPPIES!!!!!!!

Kuna gave birth to 8 gorgeous puppies last night!

I woke up pretty early for a saturday (at least by my standards, lol) at around 8:30. I had some things I wanted to get done before it got too hot out. But the moment I got up and started walking around Kuna followed me and started panting hard. She was not acting normal in any sense of the word. I looked into her eyes and I knew that she was going have them that day.

So. I cancelled all my plans for the day anticipating a very unusual birth during the day. . . Well I shouldn't have cancelled anything, lol. I spent the WHOLE day waiting for puppies and even waiting for contractions to come.

She had to keep going outside to go to the bathroom. She was quite insistent that she go outside probably more than twenty times. So, I made sure she got what she wanted. She didn't eat anything, didn't drink anything, so I felt like it was the least I could do.

Well, so I was visiting with family in the front yard while she was going to the bathroom about 6:30 p.m. I had my back turned after watching to make sure she went to the restroom. I was listening to a story when something told me to look back. Just as I did a puppy was born. I yelled, "Oh F@&!" and scooped the puppy up. We jumped inside and Kuna proceeded to clean and bath the new baby. She was white with a dark brown spot on her head.

And so it began. The last pup was born at 5:15 in the morning. It was quite the journey for Kuna and I and the pups. We tore open placentas, cleaned, cleared out the lungs and got them all suckling. All with success.

We have three boys and five girls. Two of the girls are white, one female and one male are flashy reverse brindle. The other four pups are solid reverse brindle.

I am surprised there wasn't one fawn or even regular brindle (the tiger striped ones). I also surprised that when the fourth pup was born, I fell completely in love. SHE was so beautiful and perfect. I knew it the minute I laid eyes on her that she was going to be mine. Hahahahaha after all the talk about a male this and a male that, she comes along and completely destroys all my ideas.

So, here we are. One day old and they are being taken care of by the best momma on the east side, lol. She is so good to them and so loving. I couldn't ask for a better mommas.

(The first pic is of my new baby girl)

Scrambled Eggs and a new bed; but no puppies YET

Well, it's been quite a long time but there has been alot going on lately. From keeping Kuna nourished to making the dreaded whelping box. It's also been hectic in other areas in our life, but we are finally coming together to get things settled for the new puppies.

It's a funny thing to watch a mom dog become completely engrossed in her growing babies in her belly. She wants to eat sleep and snuggle with her person (for Kuna that's me, lol) My mom and I have been keeping up with her dietary needs. She has decided that raw eggs aren't her thing, so she is eating them scrambled. She really digs that, lol. But we have also had to split her meals into four and five smaller ones a day. She is increasing her intake but not at one sitting.

When the pups first dropped, she looked healthy, but now she looks like skin and bones and a huge belly. It worries me, but we have just continued to ply her with high fat/high protein food in the hopes that the little ones leave mommy some nutrients, but knowing Kuna she is giving all of herself to the puppies. I have no doubt that Kuna is growing robust babies. She doesn't mess around when it comes to her babies.

This is the worst time. The pups could come anytime time now, yet all I can think about is Kuna's comfort. She is quite the snuggle bug, but I can tell in her eyes that she is uncomfortable. I can tell she is ready for the pups to come too, lol. Kuna is quite the sweetie anyways, buuuuuut she is extra sweet right now. In some ways it's very special to feel the love that she will give to her puppies.

So no puppies for now, but I have no doubt that they are going to arrive soon.

Can you spell PUPPIES?!?!

Yep. It's confirmed. Kuna is going to have puppies!!!! The puppies started to drop visibly this weekend. She went from having the skinniest waist to expanding quit alot. She is also more protective of her space and of me. She doesn't want me to leave her sight AT ALL! She is normally resigned to me going to work, but she is now trying to follow me out the door. She wants to sleep ALL day and her belly hair is shedding off so much that I am constantly shaking clothes and blankets off! We ARE SOOOO EXCITED!!!!

So from here on out Kuna will eat three to four smaller meals a day. She is constantly hungry these days, and I encourage her to eat all she wants as she is so naturally thin I fear the pups will deprive HER of nutrition. Like I said, she is very protective, but that also means she is very insecure right now. She is definitely in momma mode now. This is the time to watch for water and food intake to make sure she is getting enough of what she needs. We are also watching for any abnormal smells, lethargy and any other indicators that something is wrong.

Loving Kuna so much, I become a huge worrybug. Despite that, I KNOW that Kuna would tell me somehow that something was wrong, so I can't worry too much (or at least I try not to).

When Kuna had her first litter, my seven year old niece missed their birth because she moved down to Tucson to live with her mom. This time she gets to be here when the pups are born. She is especially excited and is happy that we get to keep at least ONE of the puppies (I know she would rather keep them all, lol). She is a natural with animals and I have no doubt that the birth of a litter of puppies will be very educational and intriguing to her. She will be an added help during the hard times of puppy raising. I think the hardest part she will face is having to let pups go as they find their new homes, but even that will instigate a chance to talk about how people come and go in our lives. Still, I am very glad that we get to keep one.

The Waiting

Well it's been awhile since I last posted. The day after I posted the last blog, Kuna began having doggie morning sickness. It's not much different than a pregnant woman as she can't eat in the morning and she throws up, sometimes dry-heaving. With Kuna, if you knew her, she is so sensitive about everything. She is very in-tune to the whole family, with her body and with her surroundings. She is very good at knowing when someone in the family is sad or upset or sick. She is also the biggest baby you have ever met. So when she doesn't feel good she lets us ALL know it. Lol, she has these eyes that just say, "Please make this all go away!" She is very needy and she needs constant petting and loves. I am probably the only one who doesn't mind, lol.

Many boxer females do not show when they are pregnant until late in the pregnancy. It's my opinion it's because that have such huge and flexible rib cages. Kuna is not showing at all. there are only small indicators and only a few significant indicators: her teats are swollen and she has the morning sickness. If I had to guess she IS pregnant, but you always second guess yourself when you can't SEE the proof.

So it's a waiting game. If you've ever had a litter of puppies, you know how darn cute they are. A boxer litter of puppies are even more so. During her first litter, Kuna turned out to be an amazing mother. She's a natural and she also created healthy babies. I have high hopes that it will be the same with this litter. I wouldn't mind if she didn't have the huge litter like she had before: 8 very large puppies. That's a lot of puppies for such a little momma!!! Despite their cuteness they take over your life for 6-8 weeks. It will be worth it when I get a great puppy to follow in Max's footsteps.

So that's it for now. I hope to see some physical proof in the next few days. Maybe the pups will drop and all doubt will be removed.

With Max back. . .

So. Since Kuna's heat is finally over, Max was allowed home on Saturday. Kuna was so happy that she jumped all over him and licked him everywhere. Max was happy to be home too. There was a tiny part of me that was afraid that Max would know that Kuna had a rendezvous with a lover, but if he knew, he didn't care, he was just happy to be home. So we got back to a whole household again. Max had to be gone for more than three weeks. I think his absence took more of a toll on the family than ever before.

Like I said before, Max is the rock of this house. He is our protector, our steady hand, the clown that makes us laugh. He makes us remember who we are as a family. We are very lucky to have the most amazing dog in our life. It's funny that a dog can teach us more about being human than we can teach ourselves. If everyone could have a dog like Max, I think world peace might possible. lol I am f'reals.

The sad and almost unimaginable part of this, is that Max, my BoBo has very bad arthritis now. Because he has always been a big muscled boy, he has never been the most agile nor the most jump-friendly boxer I've seen. He is athletic, just not in the typical boxer way. He's stout, he's big and he can pull and or smash anything he want's. He has been known to chase down a few moose or two. . . not to mention some not-so-intelligent scuffles with porcupines. lol Which I am quite sure, HE has come out worse for wear.

So, you see, my snortin-snoring Max is strong, but is too heavy for his bones. I don't need doctors to tell me that he has arthritis. I have seen it many times before and a $300 diagnosis isn't going to change that he is in pain. I know he is. He is the best dog that I have ever had the privilege to love. I am going to try a supplement that supposedly reverses arthritis miraculously in dogs. I hope it works. As my best friend, I know that I won't allow him to be in pain for long. I wont force my "human" weakness on his animal spirit, so I will put him down before he can't walk and he loses his dignity.

All that said, because the Creator provides for all our needs, we are waiting to see the signs that Miss Kuna Mae is pregnant. It's been two weeks today and it's too early to tell. There are few signs are foreshadowing the distinct possiblity: her appetite is very strong right now and she is sleeping so hard that she is dreaming almost every time she closes her eyes. Now this might not seem unusual to most, but Kuna is a very light sleeper usually and only occasionally dreams.

So, my instinct is telling me that we are going to have a growing belly in a few weeks.

I can only hope that one of the babies she is growing turns out to be Max's shadow. . .

Beauty and the Boxer

This is my story in raising a puppy litter from its inception to when they are adopted to their new wonderful families. I will share the ups and downs of dog breeding and puppy raising. I hope it's fun and enjoyable for all the readers. If you are interested in one of the pups or you want to talk puppies, please feel free to leave me a message.

So here's my first post:

My little princess Kuna met with a handsome fellow named Booth on May 10th. The two of them acted like they had known each other for years. The chemistry was instant between them. And although Booth outweighs Kuna by 40 lbs. or more he allowed her to be in charge of everything. Since it was love at first scent we are expecting there to be some gorgeous love puppies out of the two of them.

You have to know these two dogs to truly appreciate the uniqueness of this relationship. Booth is the suave, have-any-girl-he-wants kind of guy, with both muscles and brains. And despite his lover boy ways, he is actually quite the gentleman. He is a AKC registered flashy reverse brindle that weighs 90 lbs. Kuna is a small, delicate female that would do anything for a child. She is also AKC and this will be the second time she is a mommy and will be the last. Miss Kuna gets to keep one of the puppies from the litter to become her new companion. Her current companion, a non-registered Boxer named Max, is getting up in age. He is the rock of the whole family and Kuna is very attached to him. So I decided to breed Kuna one more time for a new family member. We hope for a new man of the house, one that will follow in Max's footsteps and be like him when he grows up. So the fact that Kuna liked Booth was quite the surprise.

So now if you know anything about what the nickname "princess" entails, then you know that it requires that the "princess" must be given constant petting, special diets and prime real estate on the couch AND the bed. So it's only just begun, the princess is officially going to be pampered for the next few months.

Because my girl Kuna is going to be nourishing babies, she is on a very high fat, high protein diet. She gets a decent mid-grade dog food (she gets upset stomach on the high grade dog food) mixed with canned puppy food, cottage cheese every morning and night, as well as a raw egg once a day. Because I had been anticipating her getting pregnant I started her on this diet about a month ago to ensure that she would not be deprived of essential nutrition when the time came.

So, now we wait for the first signs. We have done everything we can and now we just let Mother Nature do her magic.