2/18-19/25 Moon started laboring in the evening. The next morning around 3 am she was done. Or so we thought! At 10 am one last pup came out almost without either Moon or I knowing! This puppy is "Cadillac",  Healthy, breathing and nursing without assistance. The first 24 hours has gone well. We have 4 females and 4 males.

2/22/23 - Three day temp tests with all pups scoring "6" and above. The best was Uncle Sam followed by China Doll.  I was tempted to retest Sam as he was chill and accepting of everything we did. Lucy did fine until we did the turn over. She shot all four feet in the air and froze that way for a good ten seconds, even after released - like a fainting goat.  The whole litter is pretty steady and gaining weight on track.

2/28/25 - Ten days old and pups have doubled their birth weight and some more. They have been kinds "squeely", high pitched complaints even while nursing.  Moon tends to be kind of clumsy with them, although shes getting better.  She keeps the nest clean and is involved when I change the bedding; laying with them and even letting them nurse outside the nest.  

3/4/25 - Little eyes are opening and I think some of them are beginning to hook-up reactions to sound.  When I changed the bedding today, two puppies were stressed about being handled, Lucy and Uncle Sam.  I had flashbacks of grdanmother "Baloo" as a pup - and all the drama that came with her upbringing.   Some puppies are showing signs of loose stools so we are starting a coccidia prevention protocol.  Mommy Moon has upped her appetite, eating everything I put in front of her.

​3/13/25 Once moved to their new enclosure, a weaning pen, it quickly became apparent which pups have appropriate coping mechanisms, and which pups will need more life skills. (You can see pics in their individual photojournals, click the pups pics above).  Money was the last to come out and explore, yowling in the corner like a lost orphan. All the while mommy Moon was fussing and vocalizing to her.  At the other extreme, Cadillac acted like the pen was his plan all along, motoring around like he owned the place.  Uncle Sam shows his mellow attitude and just lays there, watching.  After they had settled we fed the first solid food meal. LUCY!! Gosh you'd swear she was in a pie-eating contest. She dove in head first and wanted to wear it more than eat it.  Scarlet seems to learn the fastest of all pups. I see Auggie in there.

3/21/25 Things are happening fast for lil pups. Synapses are firing at an incredible rate. They have been taken out of the nest for play time, exposed to several different kinds of foods and they have now heard a litany of human-related sounds.  All seem to be adjusting well.  There are no health or developmental concerns. Uncle Sam is the most advanced in maturity, Money is the last as she spends most of her time sleeping. She's also the biggest pup, so maybe all that mass needs more down time.

4/23/25.  Pups are 9 weeks old today.   Some are ready to strike out into their lives like Charlie, Sam and China Doll. Some should stay for a few more days as I believe we are just coming out of a big fear period that rippled through the litter in an obvious fasion.  1st vaccinations were given and last worming preventative on Saturday the 19th of April.  This litter has been a challenge as they are on the shy side.  I can see a little of Stephen in each, more so than others. Lucy anad Cucamonga are the two with the most of Auggie's lineage resemblance.  The rest really take after their mom. Thats good news as once Moon enagages you and theres been some time for bonding, you get the gift of her full heart and the priviledge of her usefulness as an LGD. Moon is very sharp and she understands what you want, she will perform with reliable consistency.  Most of these pups are the same way.  There were a couple of short coated, a couple of ideal medium and Cadillac inherited the very thick and long coat of the LGD heritage.  Size will range from 60 lbs smallest (Scarlet)to perhaps 140 lbs, Money Money being the largest pup of the litter.