I hear you!!!

Ok, I have to admit I may be going overboard just a little bit...or Bryan thinks so anyway!  But let me tell you....having newborn puppies has changed my life!  Raising a child is one thing, as women it is just part of who we are and it is second nature.  However, they are OUR children, therefore what we do as mothers and how we take care of them are "our control".  BUT, being the human mother to newborn puppies...well that is definately another story!
When Bray was a newborn and didn't sleep well, I started the bad habit of putting him in bed with me and Bryan.  I never worried about rolling over on him or not hearing his cries.  Yet when I found out Jada was prego with my babies one thing I was told that happened most often with newborn pups was that the mother would step on or roll over on them and suffocate them without realizing it.  This scared me to death after bringing Jada and her babies home with me.  Needless to say there have been several sleepless nights of up and down to check their breathing and making sure all was well.
Now I have had to create a new bed for them as they are growing and beginning to move around more.  In the last few days they have not only discovered a world outside of their bed, but they have completely opened their eyes and their ears are opening up as well. 
I have never hand raised a litter of puppies from birth, as a matter of fact I have only had a puppy at 6 weeks or more.  I had no idea what newborns were all about...that was always left up to mother nature or someone who had experience!  I can say this now though, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!!!  This has been the best experience ever!
Yes, it has been rewarding, but at times a little nerve racking and scary too!  BUT, today has made it all worth while!!!  Now my babies are 2 1/2 weeks old and beginning to get a little more social and aware of their surroundings.  Today I was talking to Axel and for the first time ever he acknowledged my voice and his name and he came to me!  I was so excited!  How is something so small and so young growing and changing so quickly???  It seems they are changing and growing right before my eyes!  I even got excited about their first "on their own" poop! Lol!
I know, I know, seems a little rediculous to most, but honestly this has been a very rewarding and miraculous experience!  I am amazed everyday by God's work!  And even though it is "only puppies" as some may think, if you ever got this experience yourself it may make you think about how awesome life really is!
The dreaded part is approaching much more quickly than I thought it would...Jada (the mama) and Camo(the brindle pup) will have to return home with Becky and Axel will stay here with us.  It honestly makes me sad to think about it because I have gotten so attached to Jada in the past few weeks!  She is adorable, sweet, and well mannered!  But I can't see myself sending Camo back to his new home either!  I would never make a good breeder because I could never easily part with the babies!  If it were up to me the three of them would just stay here with us!
Anyway, the day is nearing and I must make myself face reality like it or not...until then I'm gonna keep loving these sweet babies and there mama like there's no tomorrow! 

Oh Whatta Day!

Whatta birthday!!!  From start to finish, it has been fantastic!  First thing this morning I had messages rolling in wishing me a HBD!  The sweetest was from my mama, she's so thoughtful!  She sent me a picture message, my baby picture, and it read "Happy Happy Birthday Mel Mel Kay Massey"!  That's what I told everyone my name was when I was little.  The picture just made it! 
I then talked to my best friend Wanda, who very ironically has the same birthday, and we got to tell one another to have a great day... Once I got to work, all the girls greeted me with wishes and a new Tyler candle (my fave)!  Shortly after lunch a sweet friend, who is also a home health nurse who taught me so much when we worked together brought me hot pink and blue frosted cupcakes!  Mmmmmm! Great mid-afternoon snack...and I even shared! 
But tonight topped the cake so to speak!  As tradition, we had my family birthday dinner.  I cherish these moments!  This year was extra special because I had MY family together again!  Me, Bray, AND Bryan! 

After dinner, cake, and gifts, it was super fantastic to come home as a family and to not only hear how much I am loved today and everyday, but to feel it!  If I have heard it once today, I have heard a thousand times from Bryan, "but it's your birthday baby!"  What a feeling!!!
I guess of all the awesome gifts, sweet birthday wishes, and delicious cake, the best gift ever is the blessing of family...Bryan, Brayden, and the rest of my spectacular crew!

Thanks again for the wishes and being a part of giving me a wonderful day!

My New Life

Last night Bryan and I sat on our couch side by side and I asked him, "a month ago would you have ever thought this would be what our Friday night would be like?"  He just laughed and replied "no, but I love it!"

We are a whole 10 days into this being new parents again and everyday holds something new!  I had no idea that newborn puppies require as much attention as newborn children, but OH THEY DO!  Or at least for us they do...Not only do we take care of and make sure to give Jada (mama) plenty of love and affection, but we both feel like it is so important for us to give our puppies the same.
The first night home I slept with Jada and the babies.  Every time they moved I woke up and checked on them.  Not only have I cared for the babies, but Jada just didn't act like she felt up to par so I also took her to the vet where I learned she had a low grade temp.  We started on antibiotics for that, but she also didn't have an appetite and wasn't eating until she felt better...Even then she is a little on the spoiled side, dry food with warm water makes a great gravy and is very appetizing!!! (she also gets a special treat of boiled chicken breast for supper). 
Anyway, I have had stray dogs in the past bring up pups around my house but I have never been there with dogs from breeding to delivery to the whole newborn stage.  When I look at Jada and her babies and all the ways of nature, I am awe struck!  The only way I can describe the life process of dogs is AMAZING!  and rewarding, touching, heartwarming, and miraculous! 
We as women have intuition, but we also grow up seeing pregnancy and childbirth as well as raising children of our own or taking part in the lives of other children.  However, dogs don't have those opportunities that we do, yet they instantly know what to do and take control.  It is remarkable how wonderful a new mom Jada is! She is not only a great mom but a great teacher.  She has shown me so much about what "good canine mothers" are suppose to be like.
I have read all there is to know about newborn pups and mama, but there is no better reference than mama herself!  From nursing to nudging her babies, and pinning them down with her paws to bathe them, she knows it all and has had nobody to show her.  How cool is that???
It is so much fun to wake up everyday and look to see what has changed with my babies.  And yes, when you inspect them and spend as much one on one time with them daily as I do, you notice everything!  I have read different articles about newborn puppies, and they gave me ideas of what to look for.  When I got up this morning I couldn't have been more thrilled!  The babies eyes (right on schedule) were really opening up!  Woohoo!!!  What a milestone!
Now is when everything starts changing and they start growing rapidly...as precious as they are in the palms of my hands, I cannot wait on that sassy little puppy wanting to play and barking his little language at me.  I hope this newborn hands on time has created a unique bond with us.  I know it has for me!  Though I have been a nervous wteck, I can't say I'd change a bit of this experience!  It has made me so determined, so connected, and so needed as well as loved by Jada.  The most spectaular part is just getting to witness just how phenomenal God's creations are, man and animal alike! 

Here He Is!

Meet the newest member of our family!  Diesel's little boy, AXEL!

We made our decision, even though it's hard to chose between two that are both so similar to their daddy.  We met Becky at the vet's office with them this morning to have their tails docked and got to love on them both without Jada being there and being so concerned...She is an amazing mom!  That story will come later!
At the vet we were so nervous about what was about to happen to our babies, but we weren't allowed to go back with them which was probably a good thing!  But it only took a few minutes and the puppies acted perfectly fine.  BUT, just in case, I snuggled each one up close and kissed all over those adorable little faces!  Are they not just perfect???
I have had many "new" puppies over the years, but I have never had the opportunity to deal with them when they are born and in their first few days!  This has been such a huge ordeal for me! I don't want to miss a thing!  Fortunately for me Becky has kept me posted on everything the past few days!
Soooo...Getting back to how great a mama Jada is; since the babies were born, she hasn't wanted them out of their sight or anybody too close for that matter.  So, in order to move her babies to where she wanted them she has been moving them by their tails!  Lol! If she moves,  she moves them with her!  We wondered after today what she would do since they don't have their tails anymore and now we know!  She just picks them up by whatever works best! 
Becky text me tonight and said she was not cut out for this! lol!  She had Jada a bed made for her and the puppies but she kept bringing them right into the middle of the living room floor and she jumped on the couch and layed down.  Getting frustrated, Becky finally made her a bed on the couch and Jada put her babies on the couch with her and nursed them!  We knew she was spoiled, but now we are convinced! Haha! 
It's amazing to me how much boxers are like people!  If they could talk I could only imagine what they would say.  They are so smart!  And boy do they think they are human! 
And our babies, well they are less than a week old but they are crawling around like they are 2 weeks old!  Their eyes aren't even open but they don't let that stop them!  They are all over the place until Jada rounds them up again!  I can't wait to have my little one home with me!  He will be spoiled and I don't care to admit it!!!  He will definately rule the roost around here!  Bryan even said so himself!

Finally...

So...almost 60 days after losing Diesel our day finally came!  Wednesday afternoon Diesel's "girlfriend" brought 2 sweet babies into the World!!! 
One fawn baby with daddy's color and little face, and one brindle baby with daddy's size and structure.  How fortunate we are!  I've been counting down the days which have seemed like an eternity since Diesel has been gone!  And we were so sceptical as to whether or not Jada was even prego or not.  Finally after a trip to the vet it was confirmed but we were told upfront that though pregnant, she wouldn't have many pups.  This was ok with us as long as there were 2!  And 2 we got!!! 
So, with that being said and the situation surrounding all of this, we get our pick first.  How in the world do you pick between just 2???  Both of which are Diesel's blood...  deicision, decision!!!  So, between my relentless text messages and phone calls checking on what I call "my babies", I am still not sure which baby I want...So this morning I receive two picture messages, one of the brindle and one of the fawn.  What a great way to start my day!  They are doing great, Jada is such a good mama, and I realize how hard a decision I have to make!
I have thought about them all day long and I decided to ask Bray's opinion.  He sees things exactly the same way I do!  WOW! However, when it comes down to it we think we really need, not just want, the baby that reminds us the most of our sweet big boy!  So, tomorrow we will have another look at them both just to make sure.
As bad as I dread it, our babies have their first appointment at the vet bright and early in the morning to have their tails docked.  Against my better judgement, I am going because I want to not only be a part of their first trip, but I want to be able to make that first real connection.  I want to be there to comfort and love on my baby while he is away from his mama and after having this horrible thing that is suppose to be very quick and easy done to them.

The next several weeks are going to pass by quickly, so I have convinced myelf!  I am such an animal lover and Diesel was such a huge part of us that I long for this new little life to become the presence that fills our void!  I am looking ever so forward to stinky puppy breath kisses, someone who is so excited to see us everyday, and a sweet little snuggle buddy snoring in our ears! 
His name is already chosen, and after our vet trip in the morning I will introduce you to the newest member of our family!  Stay tuned! The first of many posts to come!!!