It was a very quiet day yesterday – just Dave and I and Bear and all of the dogs of course. It was calling my sisters in Ontario and talking to my Mom and Dad also in Ontario. It was phone calls from my niece Lisa and her not so little one Paddy to talking to my kids and grandkids. It was cleaning and feeding and watering and watching the dogs play outside and inside too. It was cooking and enjoying good conversation, good food and a very good day. The dogs enjoyed their Christmas treats and some even got turkey!! Like Cuddlebug the tiny senior who demands her share!!
The weather is funny – it always gets colder with first light before it finally tries to warm up. It was -18 at 8 am (the dogs slept in today!) and it is -20 now at 9.40 am. Everybody except the tiniest of puppies rushed out the door to play though. They are now going in and out – a hundred times a day – my exercise program! They are happy and active and now that all are neutered or spayed except the new pup and he doesn’t have that smell yet – the dynamics are good. Mandy the momma dog and Buttercup the terrier from under the house have almost weaned their pups – so their spays will be scheduled in the new year. Both mommas are nursing ALL the pups that try to nurse – it doesn’t matter whose pups they are – they all get to nurse. They should be weaned already but if moms will nurse who am I to say they shouldn’t? Buttercup’s pups are 9 week old, the cocker mixes are also 9 weeks old while Mandy’s are 7 weeks old. They are cuddle together – they are very well dog socialized. They will be well rounded puppies. They also come up to be picked up. They like ear scrunches and cuddle time. We did lose two – they had a severe infestation of tapeworm – unheard of in young puppies. It is extremely difficult to deworm for tapeworm in tiny dogs never mind tiny puppies. The moms must of had severe tapeworm all their lives for the babies to be born with tapes. They never had a chance. But the survivors are doing well – finally starting to grow and thrive. So nursing is good for them even though neither one is their mom!!
The dogs are calling me again. Time to change the guard at the door. So begins another day at Turtle Gardens.
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
