Pups Day 18

Or 17 days old ... depending on how you look at it.  Either way we look at it, they are awfully cute and we can spend hours just watching them.  They are getting closer to being able to walk but certainly won't win any movement classes with their gaits.  They are also starting to mouth eachother and explore the limits of the whelping box.  

Some of them are already loving (or at least very curious about) the camera!  Another common theme is that their heads get very heavy when filled with thoughts of escape ... so they must rest them on something.  And ... in case anyone is keeping score from our FaceBook posts, Mr Green continues to be *quite* vocal. 

Most of these photos were shot this morning with natural light since their eyes have recently opened and are not ready for full on blasts of light/flash.  The pups also got to enjoy a laundry basket ride to the auxiliary area (swimming pool in ex pens) while we cleaned up the main area. 

Check below for Dave's video of the walking adventures! 

This is the last update for a bit as we are heading back into the work week, but please enjoy!


Transitions

Today we had to say goodbye to little Odd Job (the tiny boy born 2nd).  I know we all did everything we could to help him, but in the end it wasn't meant to be.  We know he had a lot of support and for that we thank you. 

The past few days have also shown us new beginnings.  The other 5 pups continue to be fat and happy and are starting to open their eyes and actively explore the whelping box (and soon beyond the box if we aren't careful).  They are also quite vocal, as demonstrated during their ENS exercises which definitely elicited some strong opinions!

Here are a few photos of the pups taken over the past couple weeks. 

Money Penny, 1st born girl

Electra, 3rd born girl

Mr. Green, 4th born boy

Q, 5th born boy

Vesper, 6th born girl

As an aside ... I have a healthy newfound respect for the photographers who get great photos of young puppies - this is no easy task and clearly I must plan better than just grabbing for my phone when the pups look cute.

Pups arrived today!

We welcomed the pups to our home today. 

(See previous posts for the birth number/color/Bond theme names). 

Thank you so much to Gina Campodonico for taking care of Boca and her pups for the past week+ !  Now that Erika is back from out-of-town travel we are able to care for Boca and her pups in our home.  They are all set up in Dave's office and are getting comfy in Donna Highstreet's whelping box that has been used by Star, Rubi and Tahoe for their litters. 

Thanks also to everyone who is rooting for the little guy (aka Odd Job).  He is still with us and fighting but faces an uphill battle due to his size.  He is gaining weight now but is very far behind the other black pigs.  You can see him nursing here on the very left. 



Boca and Buck's pups are here!

Thanks to our good friend, Gina Campodonico, for agreeing to help us whelp this litter.  When Boca came into season in July we just knew that her litter timing would be challenging for us work-wise but it was something we really wanted to do so we are thankful she helped us make it happen.

Boca moved to Gina's on Sunday Sept 20th to settle in, and by Wednesday the 23rd was restless and off her food.  On Thursday the 24th she started contractions and Gina phoned Dave to get there STAT! 

Pups starting arriving around 11:30 am.  Boca reacted a bit to her contractions ... #frenzied

Here's the final tally (and their James Bond movie-themed names):

  1. "Red" Girl, minimal white, "MoneyPenny"
  2. "Blue" Boy, some white, very tiny, "Odd Job" (RIP 10/10/2015)
  3. "Purple" Girl, blaze, "Electra"
  4. "Green" Boy, minimal white, "Mr. Green"
  5. "Pink" Boy, small blaze, "Q"
  6. "Brown" Girl, minimal white, "Vesper"

"Blue" boy is very tiny and is getting supplemental feedings.  We are all rooting for him!
UPDATE:  Sadly we had to let OddJob go on Oct 10.  See post from that date.