Wookie's babies are a week old

I was so glad when Wookie delivered her pups last Sunday. They are growing so fast that they have actually doubled their birth weights! Sometimes I hear them crying and thinking there is a problem. It usually turns out to be one of the pups complaining that they want to nurse. Wookie worries me that she is not drinking water, but then why should she when I keep her supplied with puppy formula. I have also been trying to get her to eat puppy kibble, but she wants only canned puppy food and boiled beef liver. What a wonder thing for me! I get to remember those days of my childhood when I choked down fried liver with lots of catsup. At least this is boiled so the aroma is a little different. After boiling, I grind up the liver in a food processor. I suppose it is worth the bother since it produces the most beautiful and healthy babies.

A brand new litter!

I am pretty fatigued today. I have not been sleeping well because of the impending birth of a litter of Shih Tzus. This time the mother is our Wookie. Normally she is full of energy and constantly in motion. The last week or so she has been resting a lot. Since no one witnessed the mating, we did not know Wookie’s due date.

At 3:30 a.m. Sunday I was awakened by a loud moan. I got to Wookie in time to see the first of the puppies arrive. By 6:30 a.m. all of the big work was over and Wookie became the mother of four puppies. The first three are females and number four is a male with the most beautiful reddish-brown spots. Two of the females could be twins! They are both mostly black with white toes, small white patches on their chests and faint white stripes on their heads.

Wookie is proving to be a good mother. I was a little worried since she is usually a goof. Now she is all business.

A day later I get back to this and Wookie is acting nuts. I had forgotten how weird Kitty Cat behaved for the first few days. Wookie is not eating or drinking unless I hold the bowl for her. I think I need to let her get very hungry and thirsty so she will take care of her needs. She does get out of the whelping box to go potty. I need to change out the bedding today. She seems distressed that it is soiled. I found two puppies wrapped in a blanket this morning. I am going to try the tray I have used with other litters to see if that makes Wookie feel better.

I am so glad I voted by absentee ballot. I don’t feel like I can leave Wookie for more than a few minutes. I just have to remember that Kitty did settle down and relax after a few days and Wookie will too.