ASHCROFT BEDLINGTONS

            One day old, Penny and Jackson's litter... this litter combines sisters as grandparents (Ch Ashcroft Sangeo Sonora and Ch Ashcroft Sangeo Sonoma), tempered by the contributions from outcross grandsires (Ch Sandon n'Oakhill Cheyna's Cheylo and Ch Boardwalk Ticket To The Moon).

At 10 days old, the pups are gaining weight steadily. They haven't opened their eyes yet, nor can they hear. Their sense of smell leads them to mom, and when I pick them up, they snuffle my scent intensely. They snuggle together for warmth, and if it's toasty in their box, they spread out. They've had their toe nails trimmed once already, so they don't scratch mom's tender belly while they nurse. Penny spends a little time outside the box now, but if she hears a squeal on the baby monitor, or a cry from that room, she goes racing in to check her babies. She's keeping the pups very clean, and is being a fantastic mom to them.

At 3 weeks old, the puppies are thriving. They can hear now - each morning (and often during the day) I go in and greet them. You can tell when they started hearing - at the sound of my voice their heads turn wildly, trying to locate the source of the sound!! Now they all have their eyes open as well - they will start to navigate with purpose now that they can see their goal, whether it's their mom Penny or a sibling. They are pooping and peeing without mom's help. My work starts now as I clean up after them, change the bedding in the whelping box and do lots of laundry!! They're not on papers yet, because they still don't walk very strongly yet. Good footing (synthetic lambskin/sherpa type bedding) will help them develop their mobility - slippery surfaces like newspapers will wait until they're up on their feet more. I have offered them a small dish of formula a few times and a few have actually lapped a few mouthfuls from that. They're accustomed to nursing - so lapping/licking is a new behavior. They weigh almost 2 lbs now... and will gain steadily. To give you a perspective, I placed an empty soda can beside a puppy or two, so now you can tell how big/small they are! (To me they've gotten big, since they weighed between 5 and 8 oz at birth - they have almost quadrupled in size!)

At 6 weeks old, the pups are between 4 and 5 lbs now. They are getting their first haircut and a nice bath in the kitchen sink (with tearless puppy shampoo). They are exploring in the kitchen, but still sleep in the whelping box. One girl learned how to get out of the whelping box with the "door" open, so now the "door" is raised and all the box walls are 2 feet tall. Usually before they go home they learn to get over those walls (the "pig rail" gives them a step up). They eat three meals a day of puppy kibble softened to mush consistency, and still nurse from mom in the morning and evening, although it's obvious that they don't get much - they move very quickly from one teat to the next trying to find one with more milk - it's rather like watching musical chairs!! Here are a few pics of the three with their first trim. Their eyes are still that puppy blue, but they will turn hazel as the pups get older.

Orion in his new home, first day home...

Sophie at 12 weeks old...