What a marvel! I sit and stare at these new little creatures that emerged from the swollen belly of my girl, Bonny, and am awed. Each little paw with pads and claws so teeny, tiny and yet perfect in every way. Little mouths that find their mothers teats and clamp on, though with no eyes open yet to see. Mobility? They can get to where they need to be. Communication? They can squeal their displeasure when they are lost in that nest their mother has so carefully created for them. Fascinating. Amazing. Miraculous.
Not only are the babies amazing. So is their mother, Bonny. Bonny is a 2.5 year old Border Terrier. This is her first litter. Bonny communicates clearly with her pups. She shoves them around as needed. She licks and licks so that each pup is constantly stimulated. She does not want to leave them EVER. We must insist on brief visits to the grass. We carry her out; place her on the grass, where she spends all of two minutes taking care of business. Then she makes a straight line back to the door to return to her pups. Bonny also clearly communicates with us. We offer food often so that she remains well nourished. Usually she sits up long enough to lick the bowl dry. Every so often, however, she will push the bowl away with her head or hide her head in her paws. We get it. “Not now.” She says.
Pups bring visitors. When Bonny knows the person, she continues caring for her pups as if no one is present. “No big deal.” When a stranger that she does not know enters, she sits up over her babies and barks at them. “Stay away!" She is a great Mom.
Almost 48 hours old. All the babies are gaining weight. Mom is eatting well.
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