Day 6 - Growth Progress

As we get into the routine of following progress, we observed good growth. As a means of identifying the puppies, we marked them with different colors. As a gauge of growth here are some statistics.

Puppy --------Gain Since Birth ----Absolute Gain (oz.)
Yellow Green ------49% ------------- 3.25
Pink Green --------72% ------------- 4
Black --------------46% -------------2.5
Green Black ----- 52% --------------2.8
Green ------------70% ---------------3.25
Pink Black --------63% --------------3
Yellow Black ----- 66% ------------- 3.5
Pink --------------62% --------------3.5
Yellow ------------71% ---------------3.75

Given this methodical approach, we know which ones to work on. In future posts, we will introduce you to each puppy.



Anyway, please enjoy this short video.

Day 5 - Polar Bears or Bats?

Interesting title isn't it? As the puppies grow, they develop some personalities and habits. Some are big eaters, some like to be with mom, some like to sleep on their siblings. It's hard to tell them apart and it's good that we have the nail polish identifier marks. If one takes close look at them, they could be mini polar bears cubs because of their white fur or if you take a look at the right angle, their heads suggest a likeness to bats.


Just observations....

Day 4 - Adorable Puppy Pictures

So we are on Day 4 and the puppies have been gaining weight (we've been trending their weight and know which ones need more attention).

We've also been pretty good about tracking their weight gain, when we fed them and most importantly feeding Ming so that her milk continues to flow. Additionally, we've been supplementing the mother's milk with 'formula.' Here are some nice moments of several puppies as they sleep.

Day 3 Video

It wouldn't be another day without another video...

It's over 7 minutes so - not for the faint of heart.

Me and My Mommy

These are some pictures of Me, my sisters, and My Mom, Maddie.

Do you see the resemblance?

Day 3 - Good Morning

The puppies did well overnight. Everyone gained weight and had healthy appetites. They all want to consistently eat! Ming is doing better and eating most everything we give her.

End of Day 2 - A Tiring Day

Ming had a hard day today. She was panting - whether it was too hot from all those puppies who want to get fed or just the pain of giving birth + the C section. She has been a champ throughout. Today, it seems her maternal instincts kicked in as she wanted to ensure that all her puppies were with her. When we took one away, she perked up and was visibly stressed.

This was really apparent as we tube fed some of the lower weight puppies. The puppies do object loudly and Ming is very sensitive to it. Aside from this, she has a healthy appetite as she has been eating voraciously. Her meals consist of chicken and rice mix with dry dogfood + a topped off with a helping of yogurt (plain).

During the night time tube feeding, the puppies were protesting but Ming was out like a light.

Puppy Pictures

The picture above was about 3 hours since birth.


The puppies need to be warm - heat lamp and a hot water bottle


Since Ming had 9 puppies, we needed to identify each one. So we used nail polish on their backs.

My labor of 9 Loves - I am a Mother!

The labor was a difficult one. The birth was supposed to be in the early hours of Friday morning but the babies wouldn't come out. Ming went to the vet weeks before and determined that there were 7 puppies. It could have been the additional 9 more that made it hard for Ming to deliver the puppies naturally. Ultimately, the decision was made to take her to the vet to perform a c section. To everyone's surprise, instead of 7, she delivered 9 puppies! The extra ordinary large size of of the litter could have contributed to the difficulty.

Nonetheless - Ming is fine!

Date of Birth: Friday, April 25, 2008 - about 1pm.

Before being pregnant, Ming was about 16 pounds - at delivery she was about 21 pounds.

I am Ming

I am Donnybrook's Ming Zhu. I am a Westie, and I am a girl. This blog is so all of you can see what I'm up to.