May 2025 Newsletter and Puppy Updates!
Hello!
It’s been a while since my last newsletter, whoops! When I say it’s been busy around here, do I mean it. Still, I didn’t want to leave anything unwritten for too long. Let’s get into the updates because most of you probably know that we have a litter on the ground right now, and the story is a fun one!
Halo welcomed a beautiful litter on Wednesday, April 23rd. We have a litter of eleven healthy puppies. The timing of this litter was quite interesting. So, my wedding was on April 25th. Yep, I had a litter of puppies two days before I got married. When Halo went into heat, I made arrangements with her to stay with a wonderful breeder friend if she waited past the 22nd to have her puppies. Unfortunately, Halo went into labor the evening before she was supposed to go stay there. That would have been fine, but her stage one labor lasted about 24 hours. Technically that's in the range of normal, but since I tend to worry a lot it was quite an experience. After much panting, digging, and pacing, I decided to pop over to our vet in the early evening on the 23rd for an ultrasound checkup on the puppies. Thankfully, everything was normal and we went home to do some more waiting. Not an hour later, and at the same time my bachelorette party was supposed to start, we went into active labor! So, my little bachelorette party turned into a once in a life time experience for my sister and two best friends.
Once labor started, things went smoothly. Halo was fantastic, and most of the puppies didn’t need much assistance. Halo was so huge and full of puppies that the last few needed a little help to get breathing and expelling fluids in their lungs, and unfortunately two puppies were lost. One was born weak and didn’t make it, even with lots of help and one was a stillborn. It was sad, but with a litter totalling a whopping thirteen puppies, we were beyond thankful for eleven lively and healthy babies.
And yes, I made it to my wedding (somewhat) rested and we had an incredible day. Nate was ready to go from no dogs in his house to two adults and a litter of thirteen puppies in a day, so I think I picked the best one!
These puppies are SO much fun. They are four weeks old today, May 21st. Yesterday was a big milestone for them: First meal and first baths!
In order to start getting pups onto solid foods, we start them on a mush in a weaning bowl. I soaked Purina Pro Plan Puppy (I think this was the lamb formula, but I like to rotate all the proteins) in some locally sourced RAW goats milk for a couple hours. I added a little hot water to warm it up and then blended everything together and voila, puppy food. You would think that since they have only ever had mom’s milk they wouldn’t really know what to do with this, but they figure it out pretty much immediately. But definitely not before trying to soak in it first! Once they get the hang of NOT stepping in their food, they will get to try some raw food as well. Watch the puppies eating their first meal here
Obviously by the end of their lunch everyone was a mess, so it was time for their first baths. In case you are wondering what shampoo to use for your own ALD’s, here is a groomer’s recommendation: Chris Christensen! Specifically their SmartWash shampoo and SmartRinse conditioner are my favs (not sponsored, haha). The best part is that you NEED to dilute the shampoo down a lot so it lasts a long time and it gets them so silky smooth and soft. We didn’t introduce them to the blow dryer today, but that will be for next bath time.
Anyway, those are the updates for now. Now that they are four weeks old, they are getting to the fun age and they have lots of adventures, desensitization and learning coming up here!
Until next time,
Abby