The puppies are here already!! First pictures!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Today was the day for Lyric's pups to be born! I was expecting them Saturday, but was ready yesterday just in case and now I am so glad! We have 8 gorgeous puppies, 6 boys and 2 girls. The first 5 were all male and after the last litter of 5 males, i was getting a bit nervous! But them 2 little girls came along and I was so happy! The last puppy was a male and was big and hearty. 

The first pup was born at 3:30 after Lyric spent most of the night and that day panting and walking around, but there was no whining or distress at all--At 3:00, things got a bit more intense, but I thought we had a least an hour or so before the pups would arrive, so the breeder was on call but not yet here. All of a sudden, Lyric crouched in the corner and the first pup was OUT! I had the phone in one hand to call the breeder and was helping Lyric with the other hand! It was wild! The breeder arrived just in time for the second puppy and was there to talk me through it and help if needed, but I did most of it by myself which felt so great. Lyric had 8 puppies in just under three hours and never made a peep--it was so easy for her!

The pups are all shades of tannsh-red. Two are very light, two are medium and four are more red. Both parents carry for red from a fox red Lab, so we are hoping the pups keep their red hue.

They are all strong, healthy and good eaters! PHEW!!

We were done in time for dinner and my husband, who loves to cook, made us carrot ginger soup and chicken marsala! I earned every bite today!

Oh, and one more thing---Lyric's last litter was born on New Year's day and these guys were born on Rosh Hashana--the JEWISH New Year!

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Tracy- I have Lyric's pups at my house because I volunteered to raise them with my breeder's help the first time (something I have always wanted to do and I had just retired and was free to do it.) She was pleased with the way everything went, so she hired me to raise the litter of a different female and now I am being paid to raise Lyric's litter and perhaps one other one this year. My breeder does not have a kennel and raises one litter at at time in her home. Having me on "staff" gives her a break or allows her to have a second litter at her house while I raise one at my house. But, so far, she has not had two litters at a time. She likes to keep her operation small--quality, not quantity. Although, I am sure some people have both! I am really more like a minor partner at this point then a guardian home--the relationship has changed. She discusses some of her plans with me and we make some decisions together-- for example, Rio totally belongs to me (Lyric's son from the first litter that I kept) but he will be a stud dog in her line if he passes all of his health tests. So we will have a financial arrangement that we will both get paid if he is used. She is paying for the health tests, so it is like a co-ownership.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

What sweet babies........

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

AWWW!  They are sooo cute!  I love the different shades of color.  Do the pups stay at your place or the breeders?  You may have said that before, but I can't remember.  As a guardian, isn't it unusual that Lyric was still at your house?  I thought most breeders want them back the last week of pregnancy at least.  Just curious.  You know about my planning on being a guardian mom, so just checkin.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

OMD! puppy breath times 8!  It must be heavenly.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Beautiful puppies - oh I want one!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yup-little fatties! Two weighed in at almost a pound! The smallest two are each 11 ounces--not bad! I am guessing that Lyric had about 6 pounds of puppies!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Looks like some of those guys are pretty big right from the start!  Congratulations to you and Lyric!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Congratulations to Lyric and you!! The puppies look wonderful, strong and healthy!!  It sounds like you are becoming a Pro! LOL! And your DH deserves some kudos for being so supportive!!

[Dori & Rua]

How absolutely beautiful!  Brings tears to my eyes seeing those precious pups.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

They are all so darling and cute.  What a lot of work for you and Lyric is ahead.

Thanks for keeping us vicarous "moms" up to date.