Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:894
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| 08/06/2010 2:42 PM |
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| Yikes! You'll have your hands full with that many little ones. Good luck with everything. We'll be waiting for pupdates.... |
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Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
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zodiakgsps
NW PA
MH
Posts:1059
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| 08/06/2010 4:10 PM |
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| Dbl yikes, and I thought 9 was bad, LOL!!! Get the baby bottles ready........ |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 08/06/2010 4:12 PM |
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OMG, girlfriend...initiation by fire!!!!!! Congratulation on the humongous litter....I think.... jk ! Good luck!
Phyllis |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 08/06/2010 7:16 PM |
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Congrats Bev!
We raised 11 three times and never bottle fed a one. Feel free to email for advice/opinions once you get over the shock 
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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| 08/06/2010 7:21 PM |
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I was expecting a large count, but not quite that many, maybe 9 or 10. But Halo and I are ready. We have learned so many things together, this is just one more and she has been taking everything in stride like a pro. The vet said she had plenty of milk so she might be able to handle the feeding on her own, just need to watch the weights and make sure everyone gets there fair share. I hope I get at least 5 boys as I have homes for 5 males and 3 females right now.
I swear though my dad jinxed us on the number, because when I started talking about breeding Halo he kept saying she would have at least 14. So I told him when he was over visiting tonight that it was his fault and he had to help feed them if Halo couldn't handle it on her own. LOL, this is going to be wild ride I think. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3136
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| 08/06/2010 8:16 PM |
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That is a lot of pups! I was wondering if mama could handle feeding that many or if bottles would be needed...that is great if she looks to have planety of milk!
I hope she has them by Tuesday cuz we leave Wednesday for vacation with I believe no internet and I think I will go crazy waiting for puppy pictures! |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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| 08/06/2010 8:48 PM |
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| Well I don't think the Dirty Dozen will make an appearance tonight. Halo is settled in and sleeping on her back very peacefully. She sleeps on her back most of the time now and I am sure it is because it takes the pressure off her with the puppies. They were really squirming this afternoon, but they too seem to all be sleeping peacefully. The lull before the storm. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 08/06/2010 8:51 PM |
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My advice is to start pumping her full of that homemade food recipe you got from me right now. I start a week or so before delivery. The more food (and water) you get into her, the more milk she can make. My other piece of advice is to get yourself a postal scale that can weigh in fractions of ounces and weigh those babies 3 times a day for the first 5 days, then twice, then once until all are over two or three pounds. That way you know right away who isn't gaining much or who is losing. Those pups get rotated in for feedings first until they start gaining weight like the others. By doing those things, we never lost one.
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 08/06/2010 8:51 PM |
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p.s. plus a dog vitamin every day. The dose for pregnant/nursing dogs is double the standard maintenance dose usually. |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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| 08/06/2010 9:21 PM |
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The vet put her on vitamins several weeks ago. She is tanking like a camel on water and already on the special food. Probably why she has a ton of milk already. I bought a postal scale that weighs in fractions of ounces and was planning on weighing at least three times a day. So, you guys taught me well and I listened. If energy is any indication she is still keeping up with her brother if I let her and so far her tail hasn't stopped wagging except when she is sleeping. The only challenge I have right now is she won't let me ought of her sight. I had to run an errand this evening so my mom and dad came and dog sat with her. Thankfully she loves my parents and she attached herself to my mom. My mom loved it as she just lost her cocker and is missing her pup, so she is doting on Halo right now.
Keep the advice coming as I am soaking it all up like a sponge. I like to be prepared and I am hoping I have done all my homework correctly and we are ready. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1805
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| 08/06/2010 9:40 PM |
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| 12 or more?! Wow, that is a lot of puppy breath! Here's hoping your baker's dozen is happy, healthy & not born in the wee, dark hours of the morning. |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 08/06/2010 9:44 PM |
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I went to Joann Fabrics and bought 2 lengths of fleece...60 inches wide and 2 yards worth...one is a bright colorful print, the other solid...easy to wash, soft and warm for those little bodies...I just rotated them for a couple weeks and washed as needed (detergent with Fabuloso). Also a couple of really fleecy bathmats with the rubber backing work well for the same purpose.
Check with your local newspaper (go around back where they load up the trucks for distribution) and sweet talk the guys into giving you old papers and overruns..the slick paper parts you can just toss, but the other is usually free or very cheap and will come in handy in about 2 weeks...also, you can go to Sam's and buy a large box of the underpads (64 to a box) for about 24 bucks...comes in handy to put under the newspapers and start the housebreaking process...you won't need that for a bit...
All I can think of for now...my back is killing me from teaching puppies how to do stairs up and down from the deck to the yard...ow!!! |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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Almost Heaven GSP
Springfield, WV
MH
Posts:731
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| 08/06/2010 9:56 PM |
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| You're going to have fun!!!!!!!! |
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Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
Bruce Shaffer
Almost Heaven GSP's
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 08/07/2010 7:52 AM |
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I thought of one more thing, assuming you will have a second set of hands there at the delivery. As each one is born, I take a photo from above with a number (written in a page of a notebook) next to them. Hard to explain - but in the photo you will see the pups full body length and head and the number. I can't tell you how many times I refer to those pictures as I'm weighing puppies. It's so easy to get them mixed up and the photo is essential. If you don't know for certain which pup is which, the weights won't help you.
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 08/07/2010 9:19 AM |
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Newborn pups won't even notice the flash, I promise. Go ahead and use it. Once their eyes open, it's a little different.
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7862
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| 08/07/2010 11:56 AM |
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Thanks all, especially Jean and Phyllis. I have now got everything absolutely ready. One last run to get some more colored ribbons this morning (I only bought 10 colors the first time), and to the grocery store for a few last minute items, got the car filled up. Making a pot of stew now, so no cooking worries. Of course, this assumes I have time to eat. LOL The whelping box is ready. Lots of newspapers, old sheets and quilts, disposable bed pads, scale, all the stuff of the cords if needed, premy bottles, all the stuff for formula, ice cream (for Halo, not me), Karo, yogurt, camera, birthing chart, pens, bulbs, lot's of terry towels, warming box, etc. I am sure there will be something I need that I forgot, but I have several people waiting to help, so we should be covered and Walgreens is 5 minutes away and open 24 hours.
And yes Phyllis, I have chips and salsa. Oh, and a chilled bottle of champagne (for me and my helpers, not Halo) for when we are all done. Will keep everyone posted. Now just waiting, waiting....
Right now Halo has eaten her lunch and is napping in the front room laying on her back balanced against the wall. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Phillyo118
UK
MH
Posts:681
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| 08/07/2010 12:03 PM |
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Oh my. ONE GSP is more than enough for me, couldn't imagine a house full!! Good luck  |
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"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog."
"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
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bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:894
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| 08/07/2010 12:04 PM |
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The last minute waiting is the worst! Worse than having a baby yourself since the dog can't tell you how it's feeling. Sounds like Halo isn't ready yet if she is eating and snoozing comfortably. Right before ( 3-4 hours) Terra whelped her litters, she would "disappear". Terra is my constant shadow, more so than my other girls. When she was close to whelping though, she was nowhere do found. Last litter, I found her under the covers of my son's bed at 9am while he was still asleep. She wouldn't normally go there in the morning.... So watch for weird behaviour like that along with the temperature drop.
I always put ric rac ribbons around my puppies like collars as I have had lots of liver puppies. Be warned that it tends to come off so having a picture of each puppy is crucial. I have always drawn the pics but a camera pic is the best.
Good luck! |
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Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
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