Gaining on every front!

I still want to nurse!

Caught my "good" side this time!

I'm outta here!

What's happening?

Well today I weighed the pups. They all are at least 2 lbs. They are starting to stand, bark and are sleeping longer between feedings. Kayla and I are thrilled. This gives her more time to play with Ranger, go for walks and play "catch" with us. It's giving me better sleep at night too!

Today is another "light sprinkle" kind of day. Cloudy, cool and wet seems to be the usual for up here in NH-probably right through the July 4th weekend. Today Marion is going over all the "puppy information" that we give to the pups' new owners. I'll re-do them and email them to the people who are buying these babies. We also are putting together a package of material - helpful hints and great suggestions- for each new owner. I've also been working on the Mallyree Kennel stationary, so hopefully all will be done by this weekend. Tomorrow Alice will be here, so I'll give you an update on Thursday. For those who have asked, Marion's email is mallyree@mcttelecom.com

Talk to you then.

Pam

Thinking Outside the Box

By Jove - I think She's Got It!

Well the song "Rainy Days and Mondays" certaining comes to mind as it is raining "cats and dogs" up here in Bradford, NH--still! They say that we might see the sun sometime later today, I'll believe that when it happens. Right now I hear thunder and it's getting very dark. Just sprinkling tho. Did I mention that the washing machine "died" yesterday, so I took the laundry (mostly mats and pads for the whelping box) down to my place today. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow. I also took Ranger and Emma with me, so that Kayla and Marion could have some peace and quiet, a day just for reading and relaxing. Kayla has really gotten the hang of feeding her gang and then letting them sleep while she sleeps outside of the whelping box. At night tho, she stays with them all night..I can hear her snoring on occassion, it's really cute.

Alice called from the beach..it's sunny there (now is that fair?!) She will come up on Wednesday and stay overnight with Kayla. My husband, Mike, and I are going to have a "date", go to the movies, eat pop corn and get a good night's sleep. Kayla will love having Alice to herself. I know that they miss each other.

Chat with you tomorrow. I'm going to weigh the litter - I'll let you know how they are doing.

Pam

Sunday Brunch

Can't seem to get a shot where they are not bunched up.

And for now, they seem to fall asleep just as I pick up the camera.

The others are sleeping too.

Kathleen helped extend the whelping box so that the little darlings wouldn't get stuck under the lip of the inside. Here is one pup that is thankful.

Emily spent a long time bonding with this pup!

Well another Sunday and the weather is cool and rainy. Kayla had "Sunday Brunch" with her kids. I went to church, Marion had a late breakfast and Ranger, Emma and Rosa ate late also. Alice is still at the beach. Sundays are great for not rushing anything. Emily and Kathleen Pikul came for a visit and spent the afternoon playing with Kayla and the pups. Kathleen and I extended the whelping box's side so that the pups wouldn't get caught under the rim. We got quite a lot of pictures, some better than others, but I will tell you right now that I wish I had a great 35mm camera with some expensive lens, so I could get the shots I'd like to take. Rosa went home with them, getting ready for the July 4th shows. Emily's whole family is so great to our dogs. Our dogs love to go to their house. We had a great time going over each pup, looking for the "best", and having a hard time picking one over another. It's quite a uniform litter. We are watching to see when the pups open their eyes. Should be sometime this week.
I'll keep you all posted.
Pam

Babbling Brook Day

I can not believe it's Saturday already. Time seems to be flying by. Kayla and the pups continue to be happy and healthy. I'm getting a little more sleep at night, as the pups are stretching out their feeding times to 2 1/2 to 3 hours apart, and everyone seems to be able to find their spot, or are able to take turns. As promised, I did take a few puppy pictures, and a picture of Marion's Maine Coon Cat, Miss P, but it was so nice this morning that I took Ranger and Rosa into the woods behind the house and went to the brook for a swim. Then I took Kayla out for the same walk, but no swimming. I'm washing Rosa this afternoon, and then Marion and I will try for some "Puppy Portraits"..if all goes well I'll post some tomorrow. Emily Pikul is coming up tomorrow to pick up Rosa for the shows over the July 4th weekend. I wish I could get down there, but other family obligations are scheduled including watching the twins, so I'll just have to send my best to everyone.

I am posting some pictures of the brook and swimming hole, along with some shots of the puppies all lined up at the "milk bar", as my brother always called it and of course the cat.

Pam

TGIF!

Well our little world here at Mallyree Kennels is flowing along nicely. The dogs and cat seem to be accepting their spots in life. Emma - or should I say Queen Emma is the one who has the most to complain about. Her nose is truly out of joint! But having said that, she is playing with Ranger, and tolerating Rosa, it's just that she is used to being glued to Marion's side. The pups are gaining weight, starting to try to stand, and occasionally you hear a strange "bark" instead of the mewling. A few of them have learned that if I pick them up there is usually a bottle and a "free lunch", so they charge my arm if I put it in the box. This morning the neighbor's labs, Cinnamon and Loretta, came over to visit at 6 a.m. All dogs joined in a "yowl fest" for about 5 mins. What a racket! Kayla was singing with them too..at least the pups remained quiet. While I was out with Kayla for her "walk about", I took some pictures of Marion's home and the back yard where the pups will romp. I know I promised pictures of the pups for today, but I had to teach my Emergency Nurses Pediatric Course today in the big city of Nausha, NH and I'm about to get a glass of wine and kick back so maybe tomorrow we can get a few close ups.

Pam

Let The Sun Shine!

It's Thursday and the sun is shining. The pups are stretching out more and sleeping more. Kayla enjoyed being out for a walk with Alice this morning. They played ball and generally relaxed. Kayla is so good with her "family". She actually is staying out of the whelping box for longer time periods and seems to just need to peek at them occasionally. This afternoon, Alice returned to her home, and I came up to Marion's to be with Kayla. Alice has company coming in from Florida, and will be going down to the beaches this weekend. Kayla immediately got out of the whelping box when I came in and insisted that we go out to check to see if Alice's car was in the yard. After she checked, we went for a walk and played ball in the shade. As you can see by the pictures she has got her figure back (darn, why didn't that happen to me??!!) along with her energy.Pups are all gaining weight and actually look bigger to me after just 36 hours away from them! I'll try to get some good pictures of the pups tomorrow.
Pam

To Sleep - Perchance to Dream

Well it's day six, Tuesday, June 23, a cloudy day, but in the 60's. Cool enough to be pleasant, but I do wish the sun would shine a bit. We actually got some restful sleep last night. Kayla and the pups were so quiet that I popped up twice to make sure everyone was alright!

The flow in the house is going well. Emma (Kayla's mom) is allowed into the porch and living room and upstairs. The cat, Miss P, is out on the porch, but is allowed into the living room when Marion is in it watching the news. Ranger (Kayla's dad) and Rosa are out in the kennels, but are allowed into the living room and porch when Marion and Emma are upstairs. Needless to say, gates and great communication are needed to keep this flow smooth. Actually they all are enjoying being around each other. Emma, Ranger and Rosa are curious about the "squeaking pups", but seem to understand that Kayla is the boss in that area. We would let them all be in together, but they are big and would reek havoc with lamps, chairs etc. Rather we have them all play out in the fenced back yard.

Kayla and I went for a walk this morning, and she chased the ball for a bit. She likes stretching her legs. When we came in, she ate her second breakfast while I cleaned the whelping box, changed pads and weighed the pups. All are gaining nicely. As promised, here are a few pictures of the family, relaxed and content after nursing. As you can see they still bunch up, but one or two seem to like to be able to stretch and have their own space. The same one you see off to the side is the same one that tried to "walk" last night. Up on all fours, trying to walk over his brothers and sisters to get to "supper"! It was a site!

More tomorrow. Alice is coming back to stay for a day or two. I know that Kayla will be thrilled!

Pam

Rainy Days and Mondays

Well today was one of those quiet days, raining and cool. I went to the store, picked up a new heating pad for the pups and three bath mats. Stopped to see my husband and the house, picked Ranger and Rosa up from their "weekend get away" at Woodlawn Kennels and generally just let "mother nature" help Kayla rest. She has spent most of the day sleeping soundly. I have taken her out for two walks as well as having her out to do her "business", but for the most part it's been eat, drink and sleep! (Kind of reminds me of college days-lol). I didn't even subject her to the camera, but will make up for it tomorrow. The other job on the to do list for me was to think of names for the pups. The only three that we really want are Mallyree Morning Has Broken for the first girl, she'll have the call name of Dawn. The other two are Mallyree Marion's Promise (Mari for the call name) and Mallyree Sleepless in Seattle (Muggs for a call name). There were many that we love, Mallyree Mother Was a Rollin Stone, Mallyree Jumpin Jack Flash and others. The new owners will get to make their own, but it will be Mallyree........
Look for pictures tomorrow.
Pam

Happy Father's Day

MUZZLE-TOV!!

Just couldn't resist that one--here is a picture of Kayla and one of the male pups, nose to nose. She was just starting to doze off, and the pup was sound asleep. This has been a relaxing day. The night was a little hectic as one pup is rather loud when he doesn't get the amount of milk he wants, so we supplimented his feedings with goats milk and he quieted right down. Alice has to work tomorrow, so she left this afternoon. Her husband, Paul, came to see his girl and her pups- a nice Father's Day present. Kayla is enjoying the nice cooler weather. She has gone for a few walks, chased a few balls, and has her appitite back, along with her shape. Her milk seems to be enough for the pups (well the male is still complaining, but he is supplimented), She is cleaning them and snuggling with them, and they seem content, so we feel blessed on this day. Pam

What a Difference a Day Makes

It's an old song, but so true, what a difference a day makes! Today has been relaxed, calm, and restful. I even got some pictures of our "Queen Kayla" and her pups. Kayla is being fed by hand in one- yes we are spoiling her! You could caption one or two photos "Where's Waldo", as the pups are in a scrum- to use a rugby term.The flowers are blooming, the air is clean and cool and all is well up here in NH at Mallyree Kennels.

Pam

Sunny Start to Saturday

Just a quick post. Last night everything settled down. Kayla got some sleep, the pups nursed happily and the "two legged" grandparents were able to grab some sleep, splitting up the "watches". Everyone (dogs and people) are smiling this morning. Kayla will go out for a quick walk, bedding will be changed and puppies weighed.
We just want to send a big HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Seamus!
Pam

Kayla and Family-Day Two

Today has been a long day. It started out early with a complete homemade breakfast and a body rub down - for Kayla of course! The rest of us caught a quick bowl of cereal or a piece of toast and some coffee or tea. It was raining most of the morning, so Kayla's walks were under the umbrella and short. She ate, took care of her "business" both #1 and #2, and fed the pups like the champ that she is, but we noticed that she continued to pant heavily and occasionally "nest". We called Dr. Furness in Contoocook and Dr. Mitchell in Kingston, both vets we trust and have counted on for advice and treatment. They concured in their assessments: #1 most likely another pup or pups, #2 possible dehydration, #3 watch for fever and/or mastitis. Both were supportive and returned calls almost immediately. Late in the morning, our littlest male, "Sweet Baby James", lost the battle with fading puppy syndrome. We buried him under the tall pine tree near the front porch. The sun finally came out in the afternoon, so Kayla was treated to a walk around the grounds and a brief ball toss. Her tail was wagging and her spirits high. We're sure she was smiling! She came in, ate briefly, climbed into the whelping box and presented us with #12 puppy. Unfortunately, this female was stillborn. This broke our hearts, but Kayla turned her attention back to her "family" and bunched them all around her....they ate, she caught a cat nap..she knew where her priorities were, pointing out a lesson we all need to go over...sometimes the decision is already made and we should accept this. So while today had it's low points, the sun did shine and the "Kayla and Seamus Family" is growing, eating, pooping and peeing---soooo Life Is Good.
Pam

The Puppies-11 Darlings

It's 7 am on June 19th and our marathon whelping is finished (we hope). Alice brought Kayla up to Marion's home on Wednesday, June 17 th, just to get her settled and used to the routine a bit before the blessed event. Alice and I chatted, sat out in the sunshine and fresh air with Kayla and made sure all was set up early for the big day, Kayla's first litter--that day being June 20 th or so we thought. We went to bed late after a great supper, watching Jeopardy- a must at Marion's, and reading our books. Three hours later (3 am) Kayla started nesting in Alice's bed. At 6:15 am, she delivered without any problems a beautiful little girl. By 11 am we were at 5 pups, 3 boys, 2 girls. She still looked as big as a house and very uncomfortable, so around 1 pm we gave her a shot and she produced 4 more pups, again without problems. At 8 pm Kayla now had 6 boys and 3 girls. We all were ecstatic! Healthy pups, a Mom truly tuckered out and 3 proud but tired "Grandmas". At 9pm we were talking on the phone, bragging about Kayla, when she whelped another beautiful girl, now we were at 10--a large litter, but a nice round number. We fed Kayla, washed her down some, and all went to bed, truly thankful the day had gone so well. Some how Kayla didn't get the message and at midnight she delivered #11- a bouncing baby boy! It has been a wonderful experience with Kayla, she is a great Mom, and did a bang up job with the whelping. Alice really got her hands into this both literally and figuratively. Marion was a great coach and I just enjoyed our day of birthing no end. I have included some pictures of Kayla and her kids (early shots) and will post some more recent pictures later today, after I catch up on some sleep.

Pam

Kayla is Ready!

Kayla is watching and waiting....Alice is loading up the car! Her belly is hugh and she seems glad that it has been rainy and cool lately. She is probably thinking "All I did was smile at him (lol) no body told me it would lead to this!!" Alice and Paul take Kayla and Maddy to the lake, but Kayla is not allowed to go in, so just sitting at the edge is all that can happen for a while. Alice and Kayla will be staying with Marion in Bradford. All is ready and waiting---here's hoping that June 20th is the big day.

The Big Day Approaches!

Where has the time gone? June 20th, Kayla's due date, is just 6 days away. She is packing her bags in preparation for her trip to Bradford NH to stay at Mallyree Kennels with Marion. She is healthy, getting bigger by the day, and looking forward for this "pregnancy thing" to be DONE!!! Her coach, Alice, is also making plans to be in Bradford. Kayla's whelping area has been set up and all is ready. As the big day approaches we are all getting excited and will be posting the progression of the pups delivery.