Dreamkeeper Goldens warmly welcomes you to the PUPPY CHRONICLES… and a special “golden” welcome to all our Dreamkeeper friends and families-in-waiting. Here you will find a blog dedicated to recording the progress of our ”mums-to-be” and their beautiful babies. Please feel free to leave any comments or additional observations. Enjoy.
Brotherly love....
Daisy’s pups are now spending more time awake and interacting with our family – which is the beginning of my favourite time in puppy development. They are such cute little babies and it is so entertaining to watch how they play with each other and explore the world around them. It would be easy to spend the whole day with them they are so adorable at this age !!
Daisy continues to be an excellent mum although she seldom stays in the whelping box with them for long outside of mealtime as it is just too crowded in there at the moment. She usually prefers to stay perched just outside the puppies’ play/sleep area and now joins us regularly on our walks which she always looks forward to. In the next 10 days we will look to move the pups to a bigger area with more toys and space as they become more active and mobile.
The pups still spend a good portion of the day sleeping and can be found in the strangest positions – either entangled around a sibling or snuggled under a stuffed toy. The pups are all gaining and growing well although mealtime has taken on a bit of a different look as Daisy usually stands now so the puppies can all reach her easily without being crowded out by each other. It gives a whole new meaning to the expression “meals on wheels” !!
The pups will continue to gain more awareness of the world around them and we look forward to this next interesting week of their development.
What a wonderful world I see !
Daisy’s pups have had a super week !! Our winter temperatures outside here have dropped drastically this week with most days ranging around -30 degrees celsius — so I am sure they are thankful to be inside and snuggled up to mum (and each other). Daisy however has enjoyed venturing out on our regular walks with the rest of the gang and doesn’t seem to mind the cold….
The puppies’ biggest milestone this week was the opening of eyes. This is always one of my favourite parts of puppy development – as they seem to take on a whole new dimension of their personality when you can gaze into those sweet, little puppy eyes. The pups can also hear now — so they are becoming increasingly aware of the world around them.
The milk bar is getting more crowded at mealtimes and it is usually a hustle-bustle of activity when everyone is hungry and jostling for the best seating. With the cold temps I was thinking that “ice cream” might be on tap instead of the regular fare !!! but I’m sure the pups would gobble up whatever was on the menu ! Daisy continues to be an oustanding mum and is taking wonderful care of her little family. The pups are all weighing in around 3 pounds — and are developing nicely.
This week we will add some stuffed toys and balls to the whelping box so that the pups have some new things to explore as they start to gain mobility and interact more with each other and the world around them. We will also enjoy spending lots of snuggle time with each of them at this completely adorable stage !! We are looking forward to watching the puppies grow and develop over this next exciting week!
Daisy settling into her maternal duties with great enthusiasm !!
Daisy’s puppies have had a wonderful week and are growing and gaining well. They are still at that early puppy stage where eyes are closed and ears are not receptive to sound…. so their only contact with the world around them right now is by smell and touch. The majority of their day is spent in dreamland — which is followed by eating as a close second !! They are a very happy and contented family.
The pups are all weighing in at around 2 pounds and are growing well. Daisy has been a terrific mum. For the first few days she would not leave the puppies for anything – even potty breaks required a leash to coax her outside and “room service” was the only way to get her to accept a meal. She is definitely devoted to her little pups and seems to be quite proud of the whole bunch !!
The pups do a minimal amount of crawling around at this age but their legs will become more sturdy even within this next week. It is amazing how quickly the pups reach milestones and how much progress they make from one week to the next.
Little Miss Pink does not seem to mind being the only girl yet — and her weight is keeping up with the boys so something tells me she will probably give the boys a run for their money when she gets bit older !! For now their is no real character development or anything other noteworthy regarding the pups temperament — other than the fact that they are all extremely sweet and are a full-time cuddling job !!
We will look forward to watching the pups grow over this next week and can hardly wait to introduce them to the world that is waiting for them 
Now the adventures will really begin....
Even though we always know that the 8 week mark will arrive sooner or later — nonetheless it is no easier to say goodbye to Star’s little puppies. The first little prince left today for his new home in other parts of Ontario — where he will actually be joining a lovely “sister” Buffy from one of our litters last year. That makes Mr. Blue — now known as “Thomson” the first official pup to depart from the home that Star’s pups have known here with us for these past 8 weeks. We have truly enjoyed every minute of watching these little ones grow and learn during their short time here with us.
It has been a busy week filled with adventures out doors (whenever it wasn’t minus 24 degrees celsius) and we had lots of snow for the pups to play in and romp about. The week was also marked by bath day (accompanied with groom and nail clip) for all. The pups all did quite well with their bath experience and looked so fluffy and adorable when it was all said and done.
We also had our visit yesterday to the vet clinic for a final health inspection and vaccinations…. The pups had a great time exploring the office and meeting all who were there ! They always seem to enjoy basking in the attention and have an immediate following of fans wherever they go !!
It is hard not to get sentimental as the pups prepare to head out to new horizons over this next week. I find myself wondering what kind of life they will have ….? What kind of laughter and sorrow will they see their family through….?? Will they feel loved and cherished — and will they be that unparalelled friend and faithful companion that touches a soul forever ? What kind of furry friends will they meet and will they remember their time here with us?
A chapter will be closing for our time here with Steele and Star’s pups — but a whole new one is just beginning…. We wish our little pups and their new families the very best in their lives together.
Daisy and her miracle babies - settling in for a long winter's nap
Firstly I would just like to apologize to any of our Dreamkeeper families who have been checking this page over the last 24 hours for news on Daisy’s puppies. Pregnancies and the ways of Mother Nature are often hard to confine to an exact timeline…. and Daisy’ new little family is no exception.
Daisy spent a great deal of Saturday and Sunday in labour – and actually gave birth to her first little boy at 2:10 a.m. on Monday morning, January 2nd… at which point I usually start updating our chronicles page for those that like to have the latest breaking news. However — things did not progress well from there so my time was completely consumed tending to Daisy and we actually ended up requiring a c-section to deliver the balance of the litter. Our most sincere thanks to Dr. Duder and Sarah at Centennial Animal Hospital for taking such great care of all of us and ensuring that all of Daisy’s little bundles of joy were delivered safe and sound !! I am happy to report that mum and pups are all doing very well and resting here now just beside the fireplace. Daisy and Baron are the proud parents of 10 boys and 1 little (destined-to-be-spoiled) girl.
Daisy is tired and will need some extra TLC over the next couple of weeks to make a speedy recovery — but she is a superb mother and is tending to her new little family with great care. She loves her puppies with such devotion – that she even tried climbing right into the puppy basket with them when we arrived home this morning.
We are reminded again today of the miracle of life and how very blessed we are to have this lovely litter in our home. Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2012 !!
Ready for anything !!
Star’s pups have had a great week of celebration !! Santa of course left some extra special treats in their stockings (as they had been such good pups — and SO cute to boot — who could refuse !!) which the pups enjoyed along with all of the holiday visitors and yuletide snuggles !!
It has been a strange time for weather here – either very rainy and miserable or bitterly cold (minus 24 C) so the pups have only been outside for short spurts here and there. For the most part our kitchen is their playworld and they have enjoyed every minute of it !! They are still outside multiple times daily – but at this age I can’t let them get soaked and cold — so we look for creative ways to play indoors ! Fortunately with the holidays there is no shortage of visitors and playmates – so the puppies always have a good time.
The pups are weighing in at around 10 pounds for the boys and 9 for the girls — and there is never a dull moment at mealtime !
Hopefully the weather will warm up enough that we can romp in the snow a bit more and explore the great white Muskoka world that awaits in this week ahead. We will also have a busy week with car rides and a trip to the vet — so the pups will have lots to keep them busy !
We wish all of our Dreamkeeper families and friends the very best for 2012 !! I can only imagine the great adventures that are in store for Star’s lovely pups as the New YEAR unfolds !!
Lovely Daisy in a photo taken earlier last week
The final countdown is on and our sweet girl Daisy is enjoying the last few days of solace before the big arrival of her puppies. We were thrilled to learn a few weeks ago that our artificial insemination procedure with Baron of Stanroph du Domaine des Rives de L’erdre had been completely successful and that puppies could be expected around January 1st !! It has made an exciting time of the year even more exciting for our household.
Daisy has been doing well throughout the pregnancy although has notably slowed down this last week. She still loves our walks but is generally the caboose of the group and I often have to stop and wait while she meanders along and catches up Her abdominal area is measuring approximately 96 c.m. and she has really blossomed these last two weeks – so there is not much room for food. She manages to eat well if we break it down into numerous smaller meals throughout the day to accommodate the limited space !!
We had the opportunity to take Daisy for an xray yesterday just to double check on how things were progressing and she received lots of positive comments and cuddles (which she is always ready for). I always find the xrays at this stage are such an amazing thing — you will be able to see in the photo below the skulls and spines of the little pups that are waiting for the big day … Our vet could count 11 (!!)… It looks like Miss Daisy is going to be a very busy mom !!
Daisy and Baron's pups at day 58 (pre-parturition)
So we will try to make Daisy as comfortable as possible as we wait out these next few days…. For now she will have the pitter patter of Star’s little puppy paws to help keep her pre-occupied and we will look forward to ringing in the New Year with a very special event !!
7 of Star`s little pups -- Not quite enough room for all 10 to squeeze in !!
Star`s pups are certainly ready for Christmas (even if I`m not) and most certainly will have made Santa`s `NICE` list because they have all been such good little angels !! They have been wonderful this week and have enjoyed spending more time in the kitchen exploring and playing with all the `big dog` toys !! The pitter patter of 10 sets of paws can make things pretty busy in the kitchen at times — but the weather has been so wet and miserable outside it has not allowed us very much time out of doors !! We do manage to get out for a few minutes each day — but hopefully the weather will improve sometime soon so we can go and play in the snow and sun !
Most of the pups are weighing in between 7.5-8 pounds…. We do have a couple of stragglers in the weight department but it is usually because they are just having too much fun to fully commit to mealtime. The pups are enjoying their solid food more all the time and becoming less dependent on mum — so the slowpokes at eating should catch up soon.
Star spends much less time with the pups these days — she still checks in on them for a quick snack and a little bit of mum-pup time…. but she is more interested now in playing with the others and walks in the woods… She has been a great mum and deserves a bit of R&R now that the puppies are getting more independent.
The pups are playing more with each other and are also becoming notably more interested in the activities of our family. They would prefer to be in the kitchen at ALL times if they could — and when they are scooted into their sunroom play area out of the main action they are always pretty disappointed…. Mr. Orange in particular has the saddest song to sing and is usually quite put out that he cannot remain with me at all times. However – the pups have a great area of their own to keep them busy when the bigger dogs need a turn indoors.
It will be a busy few days now with Christmas coming and I know the pups will enjoy the extra visits and cuddles that will be coming their way….
We would like to wish all of our puppy families – both present and past – the very, very best this Christmas and may the New Year be filled with great happiness, good health and wonderful adventures !!
5 weeks old !!
Star’s pups have had an exciting week.
Early in the week we moved the pups from the living room to the sunroom (which is just off of our kitchen) so that they would have more room to play — and possibly even venture outdoors if the weather should ever allow it !! The pups have greatly enjoyed their new quarters and even Star seems to have approved of the move. We have yet to have a nice enough day to venture out — the earlier part of the week was marked by strong, cold winds and the last few days have rained non-stop. Hopefully there will be some kind of change in the weather soon so that the pups can get outside and see what the big world has to offer !
For now their play areas have been limited to the sunroom and into the kitchen – which seems to keep them happy enough. There is lots to explore and always a fellow golden to play with or chase — so for now it is keeping them happy and content.
The pups are spending more time awake and playing – and the playing with each other can get seemingly rough at times but they are all very easy-going and are getting more adorable every time I turn around. They love spending time with Josh and the rest of our family – any kind of attention is becoming extremely important to them.
The pups are all weighing in just over 6 pounds – with a couple pups a bit lighter but all of them are continuing to learn the finer points of dining on solid food. Star still makes a quick couple of “snack” visits per day – but the sharp little teeth and over zealous mouths can only be endured so long…. Star has been a great mum and although she enjoys her time out playing with the others and going for walks – she is very watchful and mindful of her babies and is always checking in on them.
A few of the pups have already had car rides so we will continue to introduce all of them to automotive travel this week as well as many other household sights and smells… Hopefully we will have a chance to venture outside soon as well. As the days count down to Christmas I know they will all be on their best behaviour so their stockings will be filled !!!
Wondering if he has made the 'Naughty" or "Nice" list !!
Star’s puppies have had a good week and we see changes in their development with each day. They are starting to interact a bit more with one another now – as well as taking more interest in our family and the world around them. They continue to be very sweet and gentle and have completely mastered the “puppy eyes” look !!
The pups are all weighing in around 5 pounds with a couple of the girls weighing a bit less – mostly due to their polite eating habits !! Even if I set them aside with their own dish – they are very dainty and reserved in their table manners and just have not developed quite the same appetite as the boys !! However – they will eventually catch up in the weight department and I know I won’t have to worry about finding one of them in the mud room eating their way through a bag of dog kibble (like a few have been known to try in the past !!).
The puppies spend a bit more time awake and enjoy having toys, balls, and stuffed animals to crawl over and play with during their waking hours. They still DO love their sleep though and the majority of the day by far is still spend lost somewhere in dreamland.
Star is spending less time with the puppies now – I am sure the tiny teeth that each pup has acquired has much to do with it. She has loved being able to play more with the older dogs again and always enjoys the snow …. She still sleeps just a few feet from her pups and allows them to catch a snack frequently throughout the day – but she is already allowing the pups to spend more time on their own.
We will look forward to the week ahead and will continue to introduce the pups to new sights and sounds. We will probably move out to the sunroom by the end of next week so that the pups have more room to play and romp – as the whelping box is becoming too small for all 10 little munchkins. We can hardly wait to watch the pups grow and mature over these next few weeks
