It is another beautiful day here at TG. The sun is shining, the snow is melting but not fast enough next to the fence to keep all the dogs in. Most of these dogs have run loose all their lives so keeping them confined to a yard albeit a large yard is a challenge. Add snow and it can be nearly impossible. There is still two feet of snow on the inside of the fence. I  went around and tried to shovel down to the ground at the spot I have seen them jump/climb out. I managed to chop about 12 feet of ice before my wind gave out. Did it work?

Waylon and his tiny sidekick Ann Bonny just moved past the area I cleared and climbed over the fence. Ann had a tough time of it - she was crying - "Wait for me, wait for me!!"  And Waylon stood watching until she managed to scale the wall!

We need a good rain to wash this rotten snow away - just one day that’s all! Then those brats will be locked in the yard without being tethered.  Waylon and Ann don’t go far - it is the idea that they are out of the fence that bothers me. It the neighbour comes barreling down the road - do they know enough to get out of the way? I don’t want to find out. So Waylon is back in on his cable for another few days. His sidekick wont leave without him. All is safe again at TG.

Bonny Lassie is doing well - she is actually gaining weight She was very thin when she came in and now with her 10 puppies to feed - she needs the best food possible to raise them well. Precise is a very top quality food - 29% protein with all the vitamins and minerals needed for her to produce the amount of milk she needs without using her own reserves to do it. There is no reason for a dog to be thin raising puppies.  Or to be thin at the end of raising them if she is fed properly. It ain’t cheap to raise a litter. In fact it is darn expensive in money as well as time. Besides the food there is keeping her area scrupiously clean, her bedding changed, her babies warm and dry. With a large litter like hers I will be feeding the puppies a gruel as soon as their eyes open and they start to move around. The gruel is made from the Precise puppy formula and milk replacer bought from the veterinarian. I could use pablum but I have found the puppy food ground in the processor to be easier for the pups to digest. By the time they are four weeks old they will be eating a moistened puppy food with less milk replacer and will have their first worming. Then they will be unto dry puppy food by six weeks and weaned by eight weeks. They will be vet checked at 6 weeks, vaccinated and wormed again. They will all have their 2nd vaccinations at 9 weeks and be ready for adoptive homes. Taking care of puppies is a lot of work.  

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.