Introducing…

Bebe inspects the new arrivals as Chiquita gives them their first meal.

This past Saturday, June 23, the new puppies finally arrived. Chiquita gave birth to two beautiful little ones, one male and one female. They are growing like weeds on Mama’s milk and a lot of attention on the part of Bebe. It wasn’t without some problems. There were three but we lost the first one in the process – he came feet first and got stuck in the birth canal. We were very sad to lose him, but we are happy with our new family.

We really didn’t know how Bebe would react to the puppies. We had never seen a male dog with a family. We kind of expected he would just ignore them. We kept him outside while the event was happening and he whined and scratched at the door the whole time. He was not pleased by his exclusion. When we finally opened the door and let him in, he immediately went to the box we used during the births, got up on the side and just looked with what I can only describe as amazement. When Chiquita got up for a few minutes to get a drink of water and take a break, he looked very intently at them, and then, slowly and carefully reached out his paw to touch them. Chiquita didn’t seem to mind, although she has made it clear to him he doesn’t belong in the basket with them.

Throughout the rest of the day, and all of Sunday, he didn’t want to leave them. He sits near the basket we use as their bed and comes over every time one of them whimpers to respond with some little noises of his own. He grabs a bite to eat on occasion, but mainly, he is there with his new family. It is a real change in his behavior. Last night, two days after the birth, he was still conflicted about leaving them. He wants to spend some time with us and do his usual routine, but when it came time to go to bed (which is a travel box inside the house) he wouldn’t settle down until he had another chance to see them. This morning, it was the same – he got up, went outside and immediately went to the garage to see the family. Much later he reappeared at the backdoor for his breakfast routine, but afterwards he was ready to go out and back to the family. I really don’t know how to describe it other than to say he is one extremely proud papa.

So, enjoy this little comic which says it all. There are some fotos in the gallery if you want to see some better shots and I am quite sure there will be more in the future.