I co-bred a litter with my friend Dolly from JoyfulNoise beagles in Spokane washington. We bred my girl Violet (CH Kazuri’s Keeping Up Appearances) to Lee (BISS GCH Van-Mar The Duke Of Hazzard).
Dolly was coming to a local-to-me dog show and so dropped the pups to me for the weekend. I was only too happy for some “grammy” time and to stack them up and start looking at their progress.
Without further ado – introducing her litter – named after the hit TV show Schitts Creek.
Sometimes breeding brings us so much joy. And sometimes it brings us heartache. This post is one with some heartache – I have endeavored to be honest about the good, the bad, the ups and downs with my journey in breeding and so I want to share this also. You have been warned and I understand if you dont want to read on.
Sylvie’s baby #2 (the biggest girl) thrived from day 1. She was big and healthy and I am grateful. The first baby, I bottle and tube fed for support as she was tiny – I was afraid that she would use up her energy trying to find a nipple instead of growing so she had equal time with mom and supported with a bottle. Baby #3 was born with an overbite. While overbites are fairly common in neonates (they help the latch), this one was an extreme overbite. More than that, she also struggled to breathe, often gasping for air when there was no reason for it.
I took these photos of the 3 girls. Little did I know, they would be the first and last official photos of baby 1 and 3. We lost them both within the first week of birth. To say that we tried everything to save them is an understatement, but I also firmly believe that sometimes it is not meant to be. I am grateful to Dr Thoreson and the team at Klahaya Animal Hospital who took great care of them (and me) this week.
Sylvie got to see both girls after each passed. She grieved a bit but is going amazingly well. Did she know there was something wrong? or is this just natures way? I dont know, but I am grateful she hasn’t skipped a beat in taking care of our precious survivor.
We weren’t exactly sure what day Syl was due. She had been living with/staying with Mike and Karen as she finished up her CH title in Tennessee and the East coast, and she came into season. While in Florida, the time seemed right and both dogs were willing and so breedings were done.
On the afternoon of the 9th, after a couple of restless nights, Syl started to really start to seek out a cozy place of her own. By the evening she was starting to pant a lot, her temperature dropped to 96.8 and she vomitted a few times and we knew her time was drawing near.
Baby #1 was born with meconium in her sack – bright yellow and green – a sign of distress. It wasn’t the start to birth we were hoping for, but she quickly started breathing and Sylvie accepted her right away. A tiny 4.5oz baby girl.
Baby #2 came almost 2 hours later – a much bigger 9oz baby girl. I was not sure why we had such a difference in their size, but I am planning to give the little one clavamox and tube support till she is healthy and strong.
Sylvie settled down to nurse her babies and was very proud of them.
When my pups are born, I get up all night long every 1.5 hours to check on them. Lo and Behold, 6 hours after the 2nd baby was born, sometime between 1:30am and 3am, Syl had a 3rd baby. 7.2oz. She cleaned her and had her tucked up with the other two when I went to check on them.
Echo’s beagle puppies are full tiny adults now – they are eating 3 meals a day like champs, starting to use the potty boxes and are fully weaned. Echo is a wonderful mom and is now playmate as they learn biting hurts and limits of how to be a good dog.
Aunty Charity adores the babies too – you will see her in a couple of these photos – we have dubbed her “the nanny” – she thinks they are the best – even if their sharps get her as they try to nurse sometimes.
Rosie’s pups have been growing well – they are up on their feet and exploring their pen. I decided to take them on a little adventure outside – they werent too sure what to think but their little sniffers were in hyperdrive trying to figure out their new world.
My good friend, but small hobby breeder Bonnie Farrell had a litter 2 months ago with her girl Bristol (CH Foxtail’s Fast Curves) and my boy Nick (MBIS MBISS GCHG Kazuri’s All I Want For Christmas CGC TKN)
She has several available but doesn’t have a web presence so that is why I am posting them here
Please contact her directly at: bonfarr@gmail.com. Located in Tacoma WA.
With the weather still being so nice, I decided today was as good as any to let the pups have some time in the sunshine. They are eating well and super strong on their feet.
They were a little unsure at first but their little sniffers got a wonderful workout as they explored the puppy nursery area. Oh how I love this stage so much.
Rosie is being a wonderful momma – her puppies want for nothing as they eat and sleep and eat and sleep all day long. They are growing little little flowers and it was definitely time that I updated their photos.
We also decided on a litter theme. My teen daughter’s fav book right now is “Pride and Prejudice” and so we went with that for our blog theme.
So, without much further ado (see what i did there :P)
They are just getting so big – for little blobs 🙂 Rosie is such a wonderful mom and keeps them well fed and satisfied. They are so adorable and we love to snuggle them – we know that before much longer their eyes will be open and they will be ready for play not cuddles. So we get them while we can.
