[26-Apr-2026]

When a female has 11 pups, the pups have to take turns feeding. There are only 10 teats, and the best teats are nearer the back end. Here, one group sleeps while the other group feeds. Maintaining a very warm temperature is essential. Hypothermia is the pups’ enemy, the chief cause of early pup death.

Sue looks tired but is doing incredibly well, for having delivered all these pups just a few hours ago. All look healthy. All are feeding and active. I am feeding her premium chicken breasts, anything to keep the nourishment up.

Sue’s pups will not be staying with me. They will be fostered by Lucy and Jim on their dairy farm in Massachusetts once they are weaned, vaccinated, chipped and ready for travel.

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Update:

When I went to change the bedding in the late afternoon, there were only 10 pups. Nature and mothers have a way of ‘taking care of things’ …if we do not intervene first. Sick, failing or dead pups are removed by the mother for the good of the litter (they simply ‘disappear’). I am familiar with this. We can’t and shouldn’t try to save everything. That is not nature’s way. Susie is in charge, not me. And she does what is best / needed. The 10 puppies look healthy and alert. They are loving the 85°f temps in the whelping room. Susie, less so. She goes out every so often to douse herself in the cool brook.