Leaving soon

Difficult to comprehend the fact that my newly born puppies have become big enough to leave the nest and start their own big adventure with their new owners!

Lately I have not had so much time for any other activities than trying to prepare them for leaving. I am doing my best but I still have the feeling of not doing enough… It has been cold weather most of the time and a friend that was supposed to come and help could not travel because of Corona…Being alone with 6 puppies is rather tough as they can disappear anywhere and anytime. And sitting outside in cold weather is not a best option either…And I am not so young anymore…

Training them to travel by car has taken much longer time than expected. But yesterday, when we were coming back home after daily activities outside the total silence reigned in the car for the first time. And all the bites of dry meat were gone. This is the best proof that they feel comfortable enough.

We have been looking at the traffic from longer and short distance, met different people and played with them, seen some dogs, have been in zoo stores and discovered new places. New collars and leashes were purchased and the worse part of the breeders job has been started. I am quite pleased with their leash training but we will see how it works in reality. Today we plan to use them on all 6 at the same time. We will visit a green area with big parking lot and hopefully meet some runners and in the afternoon I will take them to my dog club. I want to show them as much as I can. My friend Anne has offered help and everything is so much easier with her around. Thank You!

I wanted to make 7 weeks pics from a side, like serious breeders do. A friend of mine, Nathalie, made the pics while I tried to make the puppies stand nicely on the high table. Some of them found it a bit scary, some wanted to get the treat I had in my hand which resulted in awkward positions. But who ever said photographing puppies in this age is easy?

Enjoy the fantastic quality of these pics instead! Thank You Nathalie!

Lakkebo´s Contra 7 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Carisma 7 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Carma 7 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Cabrita 7 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Charming 7 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Covira 7 weeks old

Otherwise I feel I do not do anything else than count to 6. While other, wiser breeders keep their puppies inside small dog playpens our puppies are allowed to run around our big ground and discover new spots every day. It means they can disappear in 10 seconds and I have to look for them all over the place…I am so thankful to our cat Rost for coming in full gallop when I call. The pups usually follow him and he loves to be around them all the time. I can easily find them when he shows me where they are. And they are so happy climbing the rocks, running around the trees and hiding in the bushes.

Our other car, Xenon stays away and watches the pups from a distance. He is wise enough to know how quickly they grow. He has already done his duty raising Basqa.

Ruda has stopped nursing. She eats her food, calls the pups and throws up for them. Wonderful instinct that has not disappeared despite all that time the dogs have been fed by humans but so unnecessary in my eyes…More washing and changing as she usually uses their bed as a serving plate…

I still have not decided which puppy will be staying here. I have two to choose between. Cabrita has more bone and looks better than Carisma, my second choice. But Carisma has something, some kind of irresistible charm that has captured me the very first day I saw her. Maybe I shall follow that feeling?

Time flies

Two weeks disappeared and I just could not find time and peace of mind to write something during Easter and afterwards. Despite Corona pandemic all children were here and we all concentrated on playing with the pups, making food and just enjoying family life. And working outside in the garden. Soon there will be time to start to sow the vegetables and everything has to be prepared.

The puppies sleep a lot during daytime so there is still chance for doing other things. But this is going to change soon. I am rather tired as I do not get enough sleep lately. Ruda still feeds the little ones during night at least one time and then they want to play a while before they fall asleep again. I have to be there to help her get into the box which has much higher walls now and afterwards I have to clean the mess they made. But I do not mind as they are the sweetest things in the world!

It´s difficult to describe all the progress they made during last two weeks. Generally they enjoy being outside and discover all the different places we have here around the house. They eat both dry and fresh food with good appetite. They play with toys and each other. They love all people they meet and my granddaughter Alli is their favourite.

Here are the puppy pictures when they are 4 weeks old.

Lakkebo¨s Covira 4 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Carisma 4 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Carma 4 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Cabrita 4 weeks old

Lakkebo¨s Charming 4 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Contra 4 weeks old

Our younger cat, Rost, found a role of a babysitter very exciting. They love him and follow him as an extra mother. Outside they play hide and seek in the bushes and inside they play wrestling. I was little concerned about his claws but he seems to have good control over them and incredible patience.

All pups are spoken for and I have at least 4 people who would like to get one if somebody would cancel. I never expected such interest in Laekenois and I am so happy that more people discover their irresistible charm! I really think I should let Ruda have one more litter next year, if we will find a nice male of course.

Ruda has been a wonderful mother. And now, when they are so many she can really tell them to stay away if she does not want to feed them. It was different last time when she only had one puppy. That one has never learned submission.

I have been very noisy lately. I scream, clap hands, throw things on the floor and play CD “Sounds & noises” on high volume. I would really prefer to listen to bird sounds but I have to prepare the pups for our trips to the shopping centre first and then to the city. We live in a quiet area.

Here come their 5 weeks old pictures

Lakkebo’s Contra 5 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Charming 5 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Covira 5 weeks old

Lakkebo´s Carma 5 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Cabrita 5 weeks old

Lakkebo’s Carisma 5 weeks old

Of course puppies in this age are not only very sweet all the time. They test their sharp teeth on each other and everything else around, dead or alive. It does hurt sometimes! I am not so sensitive but I admire my granddaughter Alli for being so patient and loving! In the end they fall asleep in her arms and I can see happiness all over her face!

The plans for this week are to get them used to the car so I can start showing them the big world. Today they were put in the trunk and offered lots of small pieces of meat that they had to search for. After a while they all fell asleep. I want them to feel safe and comfortable so I will take small steps before we drive longer distance.

In the meanwhile there is plenty to discover here on our ground!

Last battle?

A dramatic battle between winter and spring took place yesterday afternoon. Left all my spring flowers buried under heavy snow and miserable. Now the snow is gone and spring seems to be a winner. Hopefully for good!

Time flies and the pups have become 3 weeks old. It´s incredible how much they have changed during last week!

They play with each other after every meal and start to show interest in toys. They growl and bark. I have seen tails wagging. The whelping box had to be divided into two sections: the sleeping bed and walking area covered with absorbing pads as they all can pee and poo by themselves now. Mostly outside the bed. And we started with small meals of chicken soup with some minced meat and egg yolk which is highly appreciated. And they have grown so much!

Here are fresh pics and the names of the little ones.

Lakkebo’s Contra, navy female, 1850 g today

Lakkebo’s Charming, the boy, 2050 g today

Lakkebo’s Carisma, green female, 1600 g today

Lakkebo’s Cabrita, pink female, 1750 g today

Lakkebo’s Carma, blue female, 1700 g today

Lakkebo’s Covira, yellow female, 2300 g today

They start to look like small dogs now. What a privilege to be able to watch them grow!

And what a privilege to live in a house and be able to freely go outside any time we want! I´m not scared of Covid-19 but living as I do I don’t have so much contact with other people except during short visits at grocery store. But I can imagine how hard it must be for people locked in their apartments in the City and being afraid to go out! I do hope this insane situation will end soon! And of course I´m so sorry for all who payed the highest price for this pandemic and their families!

I have puppy buyers for all puppies if people will not change their minds. But 3 of them are going abroad and the borders are closed now…I am prepared these pups will stay here longer anyway, according to EU rules, so we have time. Hope it will be enough!

The proud Mother is rather skinny though she consumes 5 meals per day. I think it´s about what she would eat during a whole week before! And there are treats and left overs from our table and pig ear every day that I do not count. Incredible that her stomach can put up with all that amount of food without being upset!

I did not count how many times she nurses them but must be around 8-10 times a day. They have really hard time finding free teats so they can suck altogether, they have become so big there is no place there. And they are so violent when they search for the best teat! I have seen their small teeth coming up, soon nursing them will be a painful experience. I really cannot imagine how Basqa copes with her 13 babies!

So far she has lots of coat but it starts to come out now so I suppose she will soon look like an old rag. But that´s what motherhood is like , I remember myself LOL

Prima is not allowed to the puppy room yet. Not that she would want to help to nurse them, I do not think she is that stupid. As far as I know her she will stay as far away as possible when they start to move around and try to ignore them. She thinks puppies are disgusting and I cannot blame her for that. Pain in the ass, that’s what they are LOL

Better to stick to a stick!

The rest of the family, both humans and cats are doing well. Rost has been castrated now and his kidneys were checked once again when he was asleep. The changes he had before are still there but no vet can say what they might signify in terms of his future. So far he is a healthy and happy cat, a favourite of the whole family! With one exception (Xenon, always a number one) perhaps LOL

Well, that should be about all for today. Difficult to concentrate here with 2 grown up kids and Alli , the granddaughter around. I cannot blame the puppies, they don’t take so much of my time yet.

This is going to change soon. I am prepared!

Growing fast

Another week has passed.

The biggest achievement of the week must be opening of all the eyes. Otherwise nothing dramatic happens yet. The pups usually just sleep and eat and crawl around the whelping box. First clumsy attempts to play with each other have been noticed. And they gain weight extremely fast!

The mother produces lots of milk and moves around with heavy teats but seems not to be bothered. In a week or so I will start giving them some other food and take some of the responsibility off her.

The collars had to be changed to the bigger size and in one case I had to change the colour as well. I’m trying to figure out which name from the list I made for myself would match each individual . I like short and unpretentious names but somehow reflecting puppies appearance or character. Or times we are living in.

Let me present the pack!

Navy female 1240 g today

Red male 1420 g today

Green female, Lakkebo’s Carisma, 1130 g today

Pink female 1220 g today

Blue female 1160 g

Yellow female (former white), Lakkebo,s Covira ,1630 g (!!!)

As we are in the middle of Corona pandemic I really feel one of the pups should get a name compatible with current situation. The yellow female, growing in such a speedy manner seems to be the best pick ! I hope she will forgive me…

The weather has been spring-like here lately which gives me the urge to be outside and clean the garden after winter. Heavy job but so rewarding! Would love my spine to hold out until all the necessary work is done!

One week has passed

While the world is upside down due to the outbreak of a pandemic Corona virus disease we can enjoy the tranquility of our home and surroundings. Early spring this year adds some colours to our quarantine and, of course, watching puppies grow is a source of immense joy!

And they do grow!

During the very first week of their life they all doubled or nearly tripled their birth weight!

Here comes a little presentation of the little ones.

Puppy no 1, dark blue female, weight at birth 270 g, weights 720 g today

Puppy no 2, red male, weight at birth 365 g, weights 900 g today

Puppy no 3, green female, weight at birth 230 g weights 640 g today

Puppy no 4, purple female, weight at birth 300 g, weights 740 g today

Puppy no 5, light blue female, weight at birth 260 g, weights 680 g today

Puppy no 6, white female, weight at birth 360 g, weights 970 g today

All the pups are healthy and strong despite differences in body size. The white female is really big and growing even faster than the only male although they had the same weight at birth. Sometimes I think I should look after the smallest ones more, maybe they are being pushed away from the best teats?

But I do not like to interfere, Ruda is being such a clever mother and besides, they are only 6. And they gain weight every day so it should be OK.

From being a bit anxious in the beginning Ruda has transformed to a balanced and confident mother. After the delivery she had to be dragged outside for a pee on leash. She would not leave the whelping box for a second and chased away both cats and Prima while they were passing by my bedroom door.

She looked very suspiciously at any family member, except me, trying to come into the room. First 2 days she ate very little and only special food, made by me.

Now she just goes in there to nurse the babies and comes out to see what I am doing. She goes out for short walks in the woods totally relaxed and eats 4 times a day, everything I give her, even dry puppy food. The appetite is back and I am happy for that! It means her body understands the need of extra nourishment now and she cannot afford being fussy eater anymore. The rest of the pack is allowed to move freely around the house unless they stay away from the whelping box.

Prima has adjusted to sleeping outside my bedroom and going for short walks. As long as she has somebody who would throw a stick or a ball life is quite good. My son, who moved back home temporarily, takes her for long walk once a day. It has to be enough. We do not train either, maybe it is good with a short break? I will certainly get the answer for that question in the nearest future. Time flies!

We usually have one of the cats following us on our walks, today it was Rost. He is a really joyful fellow, always near me and if not, always coming in full gallop when I call. More like a dog actually! Love that!

Well, that´s all for today. The whelping box is calling. I must enjoy watching the pups and listening to the sounds they make. Best meditation in the world!

Girlpower

Well, well, what a wonderful mum Ruda is! I never thought she would manage to give birth to 7 puppies during just 5 hours and as she started at 6 o´clock pm everything was done before it was time to go to bed!

And with only one boy and all the others girls she gave me a great chance to make a best choice. Because one girl is going to stay here!

I wouldn´t say we had a quiet night as the whelping box is placed in my bedroom and the pups were very noisy. But I love all the noises they make! And today, when all the bellies are full the silence reigns in the room.

The delivery went very smooth with one exception. Puppy number 5 was very late and when it came out I discovered it was deformed. Its little skull was not closed properly and we had to put the puppy down. It was a little girl, otherwise very well shaped and lively…Such a sad moment! But, of course Ruda is not a young mother and developing abnormalities can happen anytime, anywhere. I understand that, as so many things have to go right to create a perfect baby but it´s still hard to say farewell to such a young and lovely creature. RIP little baby girl!

Let´s hope all the others will thrive and grow nicely!

Waiting

I the end of February we had some snow on the ground. It stayed for a couple of days and melted away. The weather does not behave winter-like, some trees are about to bloom and spring flowers peep out here and there. Must be at least a month earlier than usual! It has been raining and raining but I do prefer that as there are no risk of breaking legs while walking the dogs.

Prima enjoys life as usual. Training goes well, though she has some problems with speed and stopping before command. But I have decided to wait with competition in 3rd class until fall. I want to be sure she will make a 100% start according to her ability.

Last week we have taken it very easy. Ruda has become heavy and slower than usual. She still wants to perform but I am not sure what I can do with her without taking a risk of some kind of injury. The babies should be born very soon, her temperature started to drop down this morning. It´s all about waiting now.

I´m a bit concerned but try to think positively. She is in good condition though she has been eating poorly, I had to use lots of different tricks to make her interested in food. She wouldn´t even look at dry dog food! Hope she will start eating normally when puppies are born.

There has been no problems for Basqa, now called Shadow, to give birth to 13 (!!!) puppies in Belgium. So Ruda is a grandmother now! All pups and the proud mother are doing fine and I am very happy! I have been worried about my little baby but she once again proved to be a real, native dog with strong instincts.

Christines pic of resting Basqa after delivery

Now lets hope all the puppies will grow nicely as they will certainly need some kind of milk replacement to support the mother. Though the chance is big that she will produce enough milk for all of them. She is a tough lady!

Both cats are doing fine. They like to spend time together but Rost is much more tied to people and our dogs, loves to be near us while Xenon prefers to keep some distance. He has been following us on our walks in the woods lately, which I find very charming. Hope Rost will follow the example!

Now back to waiting. I see that Ruda started to tremble. The delivery is on its way and we are prepared!

Puppies on the way

Yes, yes, yes! The pregnancy has been confirmed!

The vet, an ultrasound specialist, saw 8 puppies in Rudas belly!

Well, it´s good she does not know anything about it, it will be quite a job to take care of so many!

Now I just hope that everything will be OK. In the meanwhile she feels very well but the embryos are very little so far.

We train almost every day and she is very active and focused.

So there is something to hope for and be happy about.

But life usually offers a bitter side as well to balance the sweet.

Basqa, who is now called Shadow as she follows Christine everywhere, has been mated as well and the pregnancy has been confirmed.

I went through all kind of feelings when I found out she was left unattended with a young Laekenois male, indeed behind a fence but... Mother Nature is powerful. Basqa was on heat and he found a way to her somehow.

And I am both angry and sorry and bitter and my conscience is not clean. I should not have trusted Christine, she has had few so called oops-litters earlier and I should have known better…

But what´s done is done. I have had some time to think it over and I have made peace with myself.

Basqa is going to have the babies as Christine, being afraid of side effects, did not want to give her an injection to get rid of the unwanted pregnancy. In my eyes she is a baby herself but physically she is old enough to be a mother.

So Ruda and her daughter are going to deliver probably on exactly the same day!

Let´s hope for the best!