PUPPIES!!!

 According to when I saw the tie, Poppy was not due to whelp until Thursday.  However, when she didn't come when called yesterday for morning chores (which are really noon chores), I knew she was off somewhere having these babies!  I was completely expecting her to have them at our house and I couldn't leave the two-legged children to go seek her out.  I called David.  He assured me she was fine, and that when he got home (which was going to be late) we could take turns looking for her. 

My mom came over before David got home and said, "If you're looking for Poppy, she's under my deck."  I said, "Watch the kids, please?!" and was out the door!  I found that she had made a hole for herself under the deck that my mom had totally enclosed for use as another chicken coop!  Walls on 3 sides, exterior fence around that, bedded with straw, and a lower "roof" than any structure here.  Of course she chose that spot!  Smart girl!

What I found along with Poppy were 6 fat, nursing, vigorous little puppies, one runt that I'm not sure will make it (she shows no interest in it, and I don't believe it has nursed yet) and 3 dead puppies, one of which had not grown any hair.  I called my dog mentor!

I was assured that it isn't uncommon for young dogs with their first litters to lose a larger amount of them, and to not go to any heroics (I was thinking of syringing goat colostrum and then milk into it) to save the runt.  If Poppy isn't giving it much attention, something may not be right with it anyway, and 6 is enough for a young mother to care for.  I feel better!

Since we didn't expect them to arrive until Thursday, we didn't have the stall for her in the barn quite ready.  It's cleaned out, but I want to hang a water bucket and a heat lamp for the cold nights.  I couldn't take care of Poppy if she stayed up at my mom's, so until the barn stall is ready (which was going to be today's job anyhow), she is in our utility room.  I think I will help her finish cleaning up her back side (she was laying in birth fluids when I found her) and let her dry well before taking her to her stall.

Aren't the little rollie pollies adorable?!  I'm curious to see what their hair coats will be like.  The sire's is as fluffy and prone to getting matted and catching seeds of all sorts as any other Great Pyrenees.  Poppy has a sleeker hair coat, which isn't as attractive in my opinion, but certainly suits our hot summers and thick underbrush!  She's also smart as a whip and does a great job taking care of her goats and chickens.  I haven't checked yet to see how many male or female.  Good job, Poppy!  :)