Five Weeks Old

     The puppies are just over 5 weeks old.  All eight are healthy and active, but a weigh a little less than my previous 2 litters did at this age.
     Shortly after my last post Zyla became quite ill.  She went to the Leader Dog Vet and got pumped up with IV fluids and antibiotics (yet another bout of mastitus) and came home.  Her temperature reached a dangerous level of over 104 that night--so back to Leader Dogs in the middle of the night.  She and all the puppies spent the next 5 days there.  That first night I got a good nights sleep, but after that I worried more and more each day when they did not get to come home.  Finally after 5 days I went to pick them up.  I was feeling quite confident that improvement would be quick, but the first time I fed Zyla she threw up.  Things got pretty bad for the next 6 days or so.
     Zyla did manage to nurse for the full 4 weeks recommended.  Then the puppies started eating softened puppy food and Zyla has been slowly improving since then.
     The big news is that she will not be having any more puppies.  I feel relieved, happy and sad all at the same time.  I asked if she could still become a Leader Dog for a blind person???  After all that is what she was meant to do.  The plan is to wait a couple of months, LD will spay her and evaluate her for returning to the quide dog program.  However, due to her age and "motherly" body condition it's unlikely.  So---we are anticipating that she will retire within the next short period of time and we will be "adopting" her as our very own.  Like I said, it's bittersweet.   It is a real privilege to have Zyla as part of my family; she is a wonderful dog in every way.  Signing off for now, Paula

Yes, all 8 puppies are in the box. They have started eating puppy food and are spending most of their time in the bigger exersize pen.

3rd litter

      It's been exactly two weeks since I had my latest batch of puppies.  I have been feeling pretty good and get to eat SIX CUPS of dog food every day! 
      The only bad thing that has happed thus far:  I have a little case of mastitus.  Paula and Gary were hoping we would not have this problem this time, but it was found early and I got on anitbiotics right away.  Tonight's report: all looks good. 
      Paula and Gary got the puppies and the whelping box all cleaned up and we are enjoying a rare clean and quiet moment around here this evening.  All eight puppies are doing well.
Tail Wags and Kisses,   Leader Dog Mom, Zyla

2 Weeks Old

The "little puppies" are 2 weeks old today.
We are enjoying a rare clean and quiet moment.

LD Dad: Cruiser

For those of you who asked, here's a picture of LD Dad Cruiser.
I'm sure he was the one that provided all those beautiful shades of yellow.

Our first "Family Portrait". I was finished around 8:00 PM.
Puppies are identified by their collar color. All 8 are born healthy.

The first 6 puppies are set aside while we are waiting and waiting and waiting for puppy #7.
It was the longest wait between births; 3 hours.

Even though it's been less that 7 months since our last
litter, we forgot how little those new puppies are. They
range from 12.5-16 ounces. In this picture "Puppy Birthday" is half
way over.

First Puppy, 3rd Litter

My first puppy was born on Sunday June 20th; a little after noon.
A couple of days early; certainly okay by everyone involved.
Since it was on a weekend both Paula and Gary were with me and
it was an all day event; rather than an all nighter.

I kept getting bigger and bigger. Not due till the 22-24th.

Frolic Farm Picnic 5/31/2010

Gary & Paula went to a Memorial Day picnic today without me. Yep, that's Gary petting one of my K-9 buddies named Candy.  I had to stay home as I am classified "preg" now. I missed seeing some of my favorite people, plus all the Frolic Farm smells and some of my favorite animal friends; dogs, cats, sheep, llama, horse, burrow, peacocks, peahens, roosters, exotic chickens, turkey chicks (you know how I love the wee ones), geese, pond fish, and probably some others we haven't mentioned. Well, that's just a small part of the sacrifice a Leader Dog Mom must make. Till next time. Truly and mostly housebound yours, Zyla

Zyla no go camping :(((

This is Leader Dog Host Paula and I'm writing for LD Mom Zyla today.  Since she has been recently bred to LD Dad Cruiser she DID NOT get permission to go on our annual Dayton, Ohio camping trip.  She is surely missing out on seeing some of her favorite human and K-9 buddies and making new friends.  There is even a Future Leader Dog Puppy here.  I'm trying to get a chance to meet them, the black lab puppy looks to be about the right age to have been in Zyla's 2nd litter.
     I also met a really nice yellow lab who likes to sit in the driver's seat of the big motor home his family has here.  He really looks like he could drive.  Labs are smart dogs, but can they learn to drive a big vehicle?
     Some more of Zyla's favorite humans are coming here for a picnic in about 30 minutes or so.  It's my sister, her family, my dad and yes, the 2 little black poodles (Zyla thinks they are puppies and wants to be their mother) are coming, too.
     We will be heading back to Michigan tomorrow, then to pick Zyla up at Leader Dogs on Monday.  I can't wait to see her. 
     I'll ask her if she has a report to post about her stay at the kennel.

Husband & Puppy napping

Gary and Carson (from Zyla's 1st litter; aka Mr. Green or Sean O'Shaunessy). Was assigned to a partner May, 2010.

A puppy from Zyla's 1st litter (born November 2008) is assigned a blind partner!
Assignment date: May 5, 2010; Zyla's 3rd birthday.

Charlie gets a partner

I am so thrilled to announce that a puppy, Charlie (he wore the blue collar), from my first litter was officially assigned a partner on May 5, 2010.  By the way that was a very good date as it was my 3rd birthday!  I know Charlie will be a great help to his new partner.....   Big tail wags.....   Leader Dog Zyla

Home from LD

Paula just brought Zyla home from her 12 day stay at Leader Dog where she was bred to yellow Lab Cruiser.  Zyla immediately checked her food dish, did a lap arount the back yard and quickly went into a deep sleep on her bed in the den.  Appearances can be deceptive.... hopefully she is really working on making those new future Leader Dog puppies!  She wants to send out a big thanks to everyone who loved on her and walked her during her stay.

Freedom makes headlines

One of Zyla's puppies (formerly "Miss Blue" now named "Freedom") and her puppy raiser are the subject of an article in their local paper.  To see the photo and read the article just click on the link  below(starts with "Pickford man...").  Yes, we are very proud of Zyla, her puppy and the wonderful puppy raiser who is working with her.

Pickford man trains upcoming leader dog - Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Pickford man trains upcoming leader dog - Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

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The puppies are gone.

We got rid of those puppies, at last! We had a big sleepover at our house with some of my favorite people: Aunt Nancy, Grandma, Grandpa, Vanessa and her friend Ryan.
So much fun, I had a hard time deciding who to sleep with. Next time I write, I'll tell you the fun stuff I've been doing since the puppies have all gone to their new puppy raisers. I'm free again and back on the road with Paula most every day.
Oh, and by the way.... I can s-p-e-l-l....

Leader Dog Dad, Tigger

Last and not least, I don't want to forget the all important Father of my wonderful litter of puppies. He is a handsome dog, well loved by all. He's known for his love of carrying a toy and his playfulness, Thank you Tigger.

Leader Dog Turn In Day

January 12, 2010:
At last, turn in day. The puppies arrived at Leader Dogs on a very cold Tuesday morning. Everyone was tired and after just a little exploring, they fell fast asleep in their new short-term residence. Except our most inquisitive puppy, Mr. Purple Collar. He just wandered around and explored. I (Zyla) had a health check with the Dr., saw a few of my human friends and happily went home with my foster parents. Wow! I was very happy! Till next time, Zyla

Miss Blue

Miss Blue; the friendliest puppy of the 7. Named "Freedom" by her puppy raiser.

Mr Yellow

Mr Yellow collar; one of our friendliest puppies. He loves to be held.

Miss Pink

Miss Pink on puppy return day Jan 12, 2010. She might have been Paula's favorite and has since been named Maybel.

Pick Us Up

When the puppies get to be about 3 weeks of age or so, they recognize me (Zyla) or Paula or Gary when one of us approaches the whelping box or exersize pen. I think they are saying "Pick me up". And, yes they did get loved on many times every day.

Sleeping

She was so tired, she fell asleep at the water bowl. She stayed like that for some time only to awaken when her head fell into the water. We just called her Miss Green for the collar color.

Turn In Day 1/12/10

The day has finally arrived to turn the 7 puppies in to Leader Dog. They all got new collars and we had a photograph session. This is one of my favorite people, Nancy holding Mr. Purple Collar. If you got this puppy, please contact me!

Water

When water is put down, the little puppies are eager to lap it up. Sometimes the bowl gets refilled 2 or 3 times.

Watch them eat!

As a Leader Dog Mom, my job is pretty much over when the pups start to eat on their own. Now Gary and Paula take over the biggest part of the work and I have the pleasure to just watch. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes they let me eat little bits of puppy food leftovers.

Solid Food

The puppies are about 5 weeks old now. They eat solid food 4 times per day.
By the time they go to Leader Dogs, they will each stay at their own dish and not usually "bowl hop" to their siblings food! I'ts amazing what a little puppy can learn.

Eating at 4 weeks

We are just over 4 weeks old and eating soft "puppy gruel".