Snuggling puppies

It is just amazing how they pair up and touch. Very seldom is a pup lying off by themselves. They find each other and snuggle.

Sleepy Puppy Train

On the left is a common sleeping arrangement. They line up touching each other at the edge of the pool. One guy is under the fleece another common place to sleep. Yellow didn't get the memo and is resting in the center. Isn't this paw just so sweet. I always remember when I get a new pup how smooth the paws are... these are baby soft.

Lucky

This is Lucky you met him before but now look at this guy. He weighs 3 lbs. 3 oz. Many pup's eyes opened late yesterday. Looking into their beautiful dark eyes brought tears to mine. They are precious. They actually are beginning to look like puppies. A few times during the day they have organized romping. They are noisy and just climb and wobble walk and have a puppy party. Everyone is doing some kind of walking - some can really get somewhere, some carefully place one paw after the other and some almost run, but they still spend most of their time out cold sleeping. And yes, eating. Cheeto is doing a great job nursing the bunch and eating herself sometimes up to 10 cups a day, with cottage cheese. She sleeps next to the pups on a her bed at night and keeps watch.

Miss. Yellow

Six minutes after Mr. Orange Miss. Yellow was born at 13.4 oz. This is one of the many times we were glad we had enough "whelper helpers." She was a real squealer but has proven so far to be a quiet little lady. Can you believe the size of her tongue! She is 2 lbs and 9 oz. They are all using their hind legs as Miss. Yellow demonstrated on her way to the breakfast bar this morning. Last night I swear they said "OK time to practice walking," as they all wobbled in different directions, taking a few "steps" and plopping on their bellies.

Mr. Orange

Mr. Orange was born next at 14.09 oz. He is now 2 lbs. 13 oz. He is the quiet confident guy. He is in there to eat as often as he can. All of the pups are starting to wobble-walk. Back legs are working but not for more than a few wobbly steps then they plop down on their belly again. Ya gotta look quick because each of them are trying it. Sometimes they actually chain a step or two together. Eyes are mostly closed but there are some little openings in the slits. No real eyes open yet but we are getting there. Yes, they are as cuddly as they look and they seem to enjoy it.

Snowball

Snowball was born only 17 minutes after Leprechaun outside on a potty break. Because we knew this was a possibility, especially among first time moms, we were prepared with towel and flashlight every time Cheeto went outside. Well, this time we were really glad we did because he really could have been a snowball. He was 13.3 oz at birth and now at 12 days is 2.7 lbs. Amazing!

Leprechaun

We nicked named the next born Leprechaun because of her 10.65 birth weight and her Kelly green collar. She was probably gestationally a little younger than the rest, a little premature, as her behavior lagged behind the rest also. She doubled her weight at a week. We help her get to momma Cheeto first before her brothers muscle her out. She is doing great and is a real cuddler.

Mr. Purple

He is beautiful. Not that they all aren't but he is so light colored and so well mannered - no pushing or shoving, just a nice polite guy. You can see how light he is compared to his brother orange. He sings like a wobbler. Yes, sometimes it sounds like there is an aviary in my house. When they are hungry or need to be cleaned they sing. It is starting to sound like there are some barks in those sounds...

Meet Mr. Blue

Mr. Blue was the second born at 12.4 oz. He does his laps around the pool a few times a day. When he does it I think I hear him grumble something like "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!" I must be spending too much time with these puppies. Sometimes he is on the outside of the fleece and sometimes he is on the inside. When he comes to an obstacle he just climbs over it even if its mom. Then he just finishes his mission and sleeps. He is a real sweetie. Tomorrow we will meet Mr. Purple. Sounds like people are getting the word that they are getting one of these "O" puppies. I will send you baby pictures of your little one so just email me at Cheetobreeder@yahoo.com when you know which one you have.

Big Red

Everyone is developing their own personalities. This is Big Red. She loves to sleep propped up against the fleece. She has a great little disposition. She was the first born and the largest, starting at 16.5 oz and now at 33. All the pups have doubled their birth weight as they have reached the one week mark. Collars had to be changed on everyone yesterday. Lots of eating, sleeping and army crawling around. One guy actually does laps around the pool. We'll meet him tomorrow.