AKA... no tail docking/dewclaw day!
Normally day three is the day tails are docked and dewclaws removed. I have been considering leaving my puppies 'natural' with each litter. In Ico's litter I left the dewclaws on the puppy that I planned to keep. After having experienced what it's like to have a poodle with dewclaws I came to the realization that they are not flimsy superfluous growths on their legs that will easily tear off. A poodle's dewclaw is Webbed like the rest of their toes and it is a true toe. I'm excited to see how these puppies progress with their tails and dewclaws intact.
Normally I would have taken the puppies to the vet today and Nickel would have had to stay in the car (wondering why her babies were being taken away) so she couldn't hear her pups cry during the procedure. It is very quick and the puppies go right back to nursing after the procedure... but is is minor surgery. I'm happy to not have to deal with the stress involved during this hour and the worry of infection the following days. I'm also looking forward to seeing the puppies running and playing with their beautiful 'number 9' tails... just like their Daddy :0)
Here's a wave of the flag for Full Flying Tails
Nickel's New Doo
My Friend Cat came to visit me... ok... the puppies, last night. She told me that I HAD to cut Nickel down. She said that she looked frumpy, too much hair and she was way too hot. You see, Puppies can't regulate their own body temperature for the first week of life. There is a heated 'whelping dish' built into the whelping box that stays at a constant temperature of 90 degrees. On top of this it's necessary to heat the room. I try to find a balance between keeping the puppies warm and not overheating mom. The ambient temperature is around 80 degrees. On top of this, while a Mom is nursing she is burning calories like crazy. Calories burned = increased temperature. So! can you see why Nickel might be a little too warm?
 |
| proud mama in front of the whelping box |
Now lets get acquainted with our new family members!!
 |
| Yellow Boy and Green Boy |
 |
| White Girl and Black Boy |
 |
| Orange Boy |
 |
| Green Girl and Pink Boy |
 |
| Green |
 |
| Pink Boy and Purple Girl |
 |
| Blue Girl |
 |
| Blue |
 |
| Purple Girl |
 |
| Leopard Spot Girl |
 |
| Leopard Spot Girl and Pink Boy |
 |
| Green |
 |
| Orange |
|
| Belly Up |
i LOVE the full tails. i LOVE Nickel's new haircut. i LOVE their precious little toenails. they are beautiful babies and mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy! :O) Needless to say I think she's the most beautiful girl in the world.. ah... aside from TinTin, Corsa and Eureka. ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful and Nickel looks great in her new "do".
ReplyDeleteoh i love these puppies (and mom) and all of your spoos!
ReplyDeletei saw link on a poodle forum i'm on. i have a dream of a silver spoo with undocked tail. i have a black spoo who is my heart.
Gads, I could just kiss them all and never stop. Those Danny Thomas noses! The little flippy flappy ears! Nickel looks very happy. You know I was reading an article on dog massage and the therapist said that when she massages a dog with a docked tail, she continues her back stroke out into the air where the tail would be. Kinda sounds airy fairy to alot of people, but her thought is that the dogs never really forget that there was a tail out there at one time. I tried it with Sterling but I didn't see any difference. He looks blissed out whenever and wherever he gets a massage. The tail docking never made sense to me. I mean, the rationale that the tails will break in brush. Thats the only reason I have ever heard for doing it.
ReplyDeleteTina, I hope someday your dream comes true! :)
ReplyDeleteI agonized over docking tails in my first two litters. Not so much because I thought it was barbaric. I never felt that my dogs suffered from it. Even the puppies bounce back quickly. I just doesn't seem necessary and I am excited to find out if the poodles are better off with their full tail.. I want to see a difference. On historical reason for docking is so the tail doesn't get caught up in the weeds while swimming. I actually believe this since i've seen Nickel's tail dragging debris when doing field work. However, my puppies only do recreational swimming and I dont see that as being a real threat for most poodles. Anyway I love the look of Stoli's tail waving in joy....
ReplyDelete