Three Weeks

Today is three weeks since the pups were born. But first off, Della is doing better today, thanks to everyone for your concern about her. I was a bit panicked yesterday, first because I love her and can't stand to see her feeling bad, and second, if Della is sick we will also have 12 failing pups. Weights were flat or even a bit down as a result of Della's sick day, but I hope we're back on course. We're also going to see if the pups are prepared to start lapping up milk from a bowl made from milk replacement powder. That would take some pressure off of Della who has been performing herculean work around here for the past three weeks.

Three week growth chart. We are just doing weights once a day now.

Carlsberg and Peroni

Allagash and Guinness

Duvel and Sierra

Paulaner and Modelo

Stella and Chimay

Killian and Abita

Here is Allagash (blue merle pup) with the best
 seat in the house, snuggled in between Dellas
two front legs, one black and one harlequin.

This is Duvel trying to nap on one of Della's
back legs, a little bony for comfort.

Guinness using Chimay's plump belly as a pillow.

I've heard that big families are close. That does
seem to be the case here.

Eating and sleeping still account for 90% of the puppies' time.

They are engaging in play more and more now.

Remember that picture from the first week with Della holding all 12 pups with her tail
wrapped around them? That's no longer possible, but they do still like to sleep all together.
All 12 pups are in this picture with Della, but they take up a lot more space now.