Puppies!

Yesterday morning we were trying to get feeding done early so we could head to Tractor Supply. We were in charge of having a petting zoo for the day. Bella was waiting for me at the gate but no Tinker. Tinker is always the first one to greet me. She also wants her food first. I knew something was up and went to check on her. She was in labor! I rushed to finish feeding and watering while keeping check on her. I helped William load up the animals he was taking for the petting zoo and then ran back to sit with Tinker. She was so pitiful!

After a couple of hours of on and off labor I grabbed the leash to see if she wanted to go for a walk. She got right up and took off down the driveway. We got about halfway down when she was ready to turn around and come back. She drank some water and got back to having contractions. Again they stopped so I gloved up and got the lubricant to check her. I did a two finger sweep around her cervix that was so dilated you could hardly feel it. Tinker let me check her with no problems. She seemed to be saying do something but that seemed to do the trick. She started pushing and boy puppy #1 came quickly.

Every twenty minutes or so another puppy arrived without a moan or groan from Tinker. She was quick to clean each puppy and get them started nursing. After a few puppies were born she was having problems pushing without laying on a puppy. I would take the puppies out till the next puppy was born and cleaned up then Tinker would take a puppy from me with her mouth and put it back where it belonged and I placed the rest. This went on till late evening when Tinker had 8 puppies. 7 Boys and 1 girl. She got up, ate, and drank a lot of water, then went back to snuggle with her babies. I cleaned things up, came inside, and took a shower. Later that night I heard a puppy crying (baby monitor) and went out thinking she was laying on a puppy. There were now 9 puppies! I double counted in case I had miscounted but no there were 9. Tinker had one more boy. Grand total of 8 boys and 1 girl. A better momma can't be found. This is her first liter and she is a devoted momma. She growls at any animal that comes close to her pen and even growls at William when he checks her puppies. Guess I helped her enough during labor she doesn't say or do anything if I pick up the puppies. They are all chubby with big heads, 2 look like Tinker and 2 look like Falcor. There are 3 white with some brown spots and 2 that are brown all over with a little white on their feet or bellies. Can't wait to see their eyes open and running around giving Tinker lots of mommy duty time.

Tinker and babies are healthy and happily napping.