Hazel & Luke’s Litter Adoption Day!
Ever After’s Lorelei gives the puppies one last squeeze before Hazel’s precious boys meet their forever families. Minnie (now Sweeter than Candy, aka Gretel) will be added to Ever After’s program being the first tri-color mommy that scored top-breeding quality for structure and temperament. A special thanks to our Whitworth group who enjoyed Friday night socials with Hazel’s litter. Even bigger thanks to our three families who undoubtedly will love their puppies forEver After; you are amazing!
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 8
If they were not so small, Ever After might recommend these four for a dogsled team. Your puppies love the snow! Excitedly, all are sleeping through the night from 11:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. in their own crates - with dry beds in the morning! Still, get them outside quickly after they wake. Their little bladders and your floor will thank you. Not so excitedly, if BAXTER & Bella has some advice on poop-eaters, you should probably study up - really. Other than that, these darlings have captured our hearts and will be sorely missed. Thank you for being such wonderful families to help those of us at Ever After with the transition. We expect the puppies will do better than us this go around.
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 7
You would be so proud of your puppies. They handle car rides like pros, are getting the hang of individual crates, come when called (kind of), sit on command (kind of), and potty outside (kind of) - ha! Well, at least they are cute and willing throughout it all. The snowfall this week has been an added bonus for toddler play. Your puppy will soon need a place of comfort in your home. Perhaps you need some help?
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 6
Happy Valentine’s Day
These four are so enjoyable. Ever After can count on them racing to sit in our laps; then lavishing us with kisses. This week, the puppies were moved to a larger play area in the basement where they have outdoor access to a covered (safe from birds of prey) puppy courtyard and a large backyard space. When in the larger yard, the puppies are accompanied by those of us at Ever After including our three adult dogs (Mila, Hazel, and Kloe-15-year-old rescue) and even Mila’s six puppies. The exposure to people and dogs of all ages is insurmountably helpful in creating a dog relaxed around new “folks.” Although litter trays are still available, the puppies are learning that outdoor potty is preferred. For sleeping, this small pack still fits in one kennel, but the door will be closed at certain naptimes in the days ahead. Thus, closed door crate-training begins. Along with weekly nail trims, the puppies received a mini-grooming by clearing the hair from their eyes, bum areas, and paw pads. See the RESOURCES page for handy tools available to make such tasks easier between professional groomings. The RESOURCES page also has videos and more on how to upkeep the Australian Labradoodle coat as well as instructions for your groomer. Did you know that the Australian Labradoodle has its own cut? In conclusion, Panicure dewormer was on the birthday menu today. Ever After is doing everything possible to keep your sweet puppy healthy and safe.
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 5
Pawsitively porridge pros now! Hazel has not backed off of the milk though. She loves lounging with her babies; probably aware that they are smaller than many 5-week-olds and could use some extra Mommy benefits. We get how Hazel feels about these four. Have you ever found something so cute or loved it so much that you wanted to squeeze it till it pops? Well, that is how we at Ever After feel about your puppies. They are so nummy! You can relax; no popping is allowed. An addition to the whelping box gave the puppies more room to hop and trot this week. Minnie is great with the litter boxes – not sure what the boys are thinking. Let us give them more time on that topic. Lastly, the four cuddled in one open-doored crate for each nap. So far, they are all quality sleepers.
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 4
Yep, sweet and tender personalities can be expected from Hazel’s babies. There is no need for desensitization of people – these guys were apparently born to love folks of all ages. With their ears open now, even household noises like doors shutting, vacuuming, laughing, piano playing, etc., do not phase them. The puppies’ nursery is also exposed to Disney music all day while they enjoy a rotating barrage of textured, “talking” toys. Miniature freezer bears helped ease the way as tiny teeth started poking through their gums. Warm porridge filled their bellies; but still ranked nowhere near what Mom had to offer. Although pictures show Minnie eating with her paws, the camera neglected to catch Alvin doing a beautiful forward half somersault into the porridge dish. Needless to say, taking a picture at that point was the farthest thing from our minds – big cleanup. Lastly, Hazel and pups sang their birthday song to Strongid dewormer. Have you found a vet to continue your puppy’s wellness necessities?
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 3
Puppy Culture techniques of early neurological stimulation continued in week 3 - Ever After takes every stage of your puppy’s upbringing seriously. Also, the little ones began their wobbly walks around the whelping box while experimenting with new vocal sounds. One little boy “calls” for Mom when he is hungry. It works; Hazel comes running. The pups started seeing each other as playmates instead of just pillow pets. As if it is perfectly natural and nothing to get accustomed to, each one relaxes with and completely enjoys human snuggles. That is a beautiful sign of easygoing personalities.
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 2
Although not fully operational, the puppies’ eyes opened this week! You can also see from the pictures that your darlings are getting more fur. With that, Minnie started to look even more like her daddy. Along with white and black, she has bits of brown on her cheeks, eyebrows, and tail making her a tricolor puppy. Not to be outdone, the boys started showing more spots of apricot (if noses turn out black) or caramel (if noses turn out liver-colored). Today’s birthday celebration included manicures and pedicures (ha!) with a human fingernail clipper (being their nails are so small). See the video How to Trim Dog Nails as #4 on the RESOURCES page. You will get tips on avoiding the quicks (innervated, vascularized core of the nail bed = blood vessel and nerve inside the nail – ouch!). Rule of thumb – “If you can hear the nails when they walk, they are too long.” Although birthday cake would seem the treat of the day, Ever After decided on Strongid dewormer for both Hazel and pups – so much better!
Hazel & Luke’s 12.30.20 Litter - Week 1
Happy New Year!
This litter kept Ever After on its toes this week – starting with the birthday. Hazel was a petite pregnant momma, so we were prepared to whelp small puppies (birth weights listed under their pictures). However, the smaller the puppy, the more attention needs to be paid to nourishment, warmth, and safety. Regardless of their sizes, Ever After was pleased to see how strongly these four siblings nursed and scooted around after their mother. Hazel proved to be gentle and attentive to each. Even for potty breaks, Hazel struggled leaving her precious babies. As a gift to you, at 4 days old, the puppies had their dew claws removed for prevention of serious injuries in the future. Then, for naming the boys, Ever After debated on using the three stooges or the three chipmunks. The latter won out. As for the little girl, her spots tell the story of a Minnie Mouse. It was either that or Princess Di for the diamond on her head. No need to worry; you can change the names. They are not for Ever After – ha, a little breeder joke!
Our joyful Hazel had her first litter on 12.30.20. As was no surprise, she tenderly greeted each puppy and took to mothering immediately. Although she delivered six puppies, one was an underdeveloped fetus the size of a pea pod; and another was a still born. Ever After did all that could be done to revive the stillborn black & white parti boy; but after 45 minutes of tirelessly trying, we had to tearfully end our attempts. Moving forward, we are so thankful for the healthy four: 3 boys (white with caramel or apricot), and 1 girl (black & white parti). They are small puppies but strong nursers. Hazel keeps them warm with her constant snuggles and by keeping them near the heat source in the whelping box. Now, to think of names…hmm?
