Litter Born June 3rd 2015 - 7 puppies (3 girls, 4 boys)
First Week
It was a pretty intense delivery! Puppies were not doing to well initially at birth. It took a lot of rubbing and suctioning fluid to get those puppies to take their first breath! What a relief when they did. We did loose one puppy though. That was very sad. Once breathing they did great and everything went smoothly from then on.
On day 5, they took a trip to the vet to have their dewclaws removed. They are very loved and Brooke is an amazing mom. It is her first litter, but she acts like she's been doing this forever!
On day 5, they took a trip to the vet to have their dewclaws removed. They are very loved and Brooke is an amazing mom. It is her first litter, but she acts like she's been doing this forever!
Second Week
Puppies are growing and gaining weight nicely. We did start giving some puppies a bottle of puppy formula every now and then to help relieve some of Brooke's work.
They opened their eyes on day 11 and enjoyed their first nap outside in the grass.
They opened their eyes on day 11 and enjoyed their first nap outside in the grass.
Third Week
Fourth Week
Fifth Week
Sixth Week
Eighth Week
Picture updates of puppies in their new homes
Bou
Bou went to live in Boise at the base of the foothill. His mom and dad have loved and owned Berners for a long time now. He also has a Golden brother.
Byggvir
Byggvir lives in Nampa ID and has quite the family life: a Berner big sister, mom and dad, and twin babies. He loves to play with his sister and neighbor dog pals in the backyard, but knows how to be a wonderful couch potato. :)
Chula
Chula probalbly went the furthest out of all the puppies so far: Denver CO. Her dad says she is the sweetest dog ever who wouldn't hurt a fly and that she is always upbeat.
Flower
Flower went to Reno NV. Her mom says she loves receiving gifts and "examining" what fluff is inside the softy ones. :) She got her Canine Good Citizen certification, and is almost done being Therapy Dog certified. She even got a pretty neat opportunity to be onstage for a performance of the nutcracker.
Oscar
Oscar went to live in the snowy mountains of Eastern Idaho. He joined a Berner big brother. His mom and dad take him to the ski resort so often that people there know him by name.
Roan
Roan went to Redmond OR, at the base of the Cascade mountain range. He is super happy that his mom and dad are such "outdoorsy" people!
Zola
Zola went to a home in the Portland area. She is loved by her parents and her two furry pals: a Chihuahua and a cat. She did great at obedience school, loves the beach, the dog park, and has a very friendly disposition.
It sure was fun! Now we have fun receiving updates and pictures of our babies growing up.
If you are interested in reading a week by week development description of the puppies from birth to age of 8 weeks, scroll down to previous litters. I decided to just post pictures this time as the narrative tends to become a bit repetitive! :)
Previous litters
5/25/2014 - Mika had a litter of ten puppies: five boys and five girls, how perfect!
Puppies are just a few hours old and enjoying their first drink at the bar!
Our email: clandy912@gmail.com
Our phone: (208) 602-3451
Our phone: (208) 602-3451
Mika's tummy was shaved during the c-section, which looks odd on the pictures, but she is doing great. She is such a great mom. With ten puppies she will have so much work, but we will be watching the puppies' weight gain and supplement with the bottle when needed.
Five boys, five girls. All ranging between 1 lb 2 oz and 1 lb 4 oz at birth which is great. No cleft palates. Dewclaws will be removed on day 4. (Some of the puppies have double dewclaws in the back!) No umbilical hernias, at least so far, and all beautiful!
We'll keep posting new pictures and updates regularly.
Five boys, five girls. All ranging between 1 lb 2 oz and 1 lb 4 oz at birth which is great. No cleft palates. Dewclaws will be removed on day 4. (Some of the puppies have double dewclaws in the back!) No umbilical hernias, at least so far, and all beautiful!
We'll keep posting new pictures and updates regularly.
6/7/2014 - Puppies will be two weeks old tomorrow and their eyes just opened.
Week 3
Puppies are getting more playful and spend more time awake, which is very fun. We take them out during the day and they love it outside. Still getting lots of visitors who love them to pieces. Their teeth are just poking out and they got to experience solid food by the end of the week: puppy kibble softened in a mixture of warm goat milk and egg. It's hillarious (and slightly frustrating) to watch their excitement as they hurry INTO the dish to lap up the goodies as fast as possible while running around inside the dish. Well, nothing goes to waste as Mika loves licking the puppies clean after their meal. :)
Week 4
Beautiful weather and we are loving it! The puppies started sleeping outside the last couple of nights. They all huddle in the dogloo to sleep, and come out with the sun, full of excitement and energy! Their fur is getting that adorable fluffy look and will continue to do so until they will look like chubby "fluff-ball-puppies". We are exposing them to more and more things to socialize them: lawnmower, water, different surfaces, loud startling sounds, and of course a variety of visitors. They enjoy their two solid meals of the day, morning and night and are eating in a much more civilized manner... no longer pushing each other off as they wade through the food. :) They are teething and enjoy anything, like for example the bottom of your pants, that they can get their teeth on!
Week 5
The puppies continue to grow and get cuter and fuzzier each day! They are learning a lot about their environment and are being socialized around all kinds of objects, surfaces, loud startling sounds, people, etc. They had their first long car ride as we took them to the mountains for an overnighter. They did just great and none of them were carsick.
Week 6
The puppies love being outside, but the challenge now is to keep them cool enough. The solution: frequent baths in the kiddie pool! Most of the puppies would rather avoid this new routine, but hopefully the exposure to water with help them enjoy playing in water later in life, as most Berners are not very fond of swimming.
They love people and follow us everywhere. They also love chewing our fingers, toes, clothes, and most everything. They are very good eaters and are just really healthy and strong.
They love people and follow us everywhere. They also love chewing our fingers, toes, clothes, and most everything. They are very good eaters and are just really healthy and strong.
Week 7
Puppies are almost ready for their new homes. They keep on growing and putting on weight.
Week 8
This is a busy week for the puppies. They are getting their first shots, microchips, aptitude and conformation tests, and are starting to meet and go home with their new owners.
Goodbye furry friends and best of luck in your new homes in Seattle, Gresham, Hillsboro, Moscow, Woodinville, Greenbank, Salem, Portland, and Cove. We'll miss you! Please send us lots of pictures.
We love getting pictures of our puppies growing up and bringing joy to their new homes. Here are a few.
Earlier litter:
January 26th 2013. 4 perfect puppies. 3 males 1 female. Birthweight 1lb 4oz
This picture was taken at 2 days. They, fit in this small basket with room to spare. They spend all day sleeping, eating, and having to endure mom's frequent baths. As adorable as they are, they are so funny moving around like seals!
There's plenty of room for 4 puppies to all eat at the same time and get a good fill.
Mika is a very good mom. It is so amazing to observe how motherly instincts "kick in". They nurse and she cleans them... so much that it's almost hard for them to eat as she licks so hard they loose their grip! The hardest thing now on her is the heat in the room as the puppies are too young to regulate their body temperature. We keep the whelping room extra warm, but Mika who is used to rolling in the snow wishes it didn't have to be so. In between feedings, she goes outside to frolic in the snow, enjoying these record low temperatures we've been having!
Two brothers
A shot closer up to see how chubby they already are. Milk has come in and the meals are very satisfying! :)
All puppies have doubled their birth weight by the end of their first week and tripled it by day 12. They are all four very equal in weight.
All puppies have doubled their birth weight by the end of their first week and tripled it by day 12. They are all four very equal in weight.
Puppies are one week old and very loved
Visitors this week: 6 kids & teens, 1 woman, 1 man. We're focusing on tactile stimulation with lots of holding, handling all body parts and even tickling between toes! First big outing this week: a car trip to the vet at 4 days to get dew claws removed.
Puppies at 2 weeks (Yin-and-Yang, Waldo, Placid and Cheyenne)
Visitors this week: 7 kids & teens, 2 women, 2 men. Eyes opened on day 12 which is also when their birth weight tripled. Ears are gradually opening too, and puppies are able to stand up and walk a few steps before tipping over awkwardly. :) Noses are starting to have little black speckles. These will eventually turn their pink noses all black. Still holding them a lot and exposing them to more areas of the house so they can become familiar with noises, different lighting and floor surfaces.
Puppies at 3 weeks (same order)
Visitors this week: 10 kids & teens, 6 women, 2 men. I started out taking individual weights, but all four puppies are so equal in weight that it seems sufficient to state that their weight is now, at 3 weeks, about 5 1/2 lbs. This week, they moved away from their quiet, secluded and soft whelping box to the more "cleaning-friendly" utility room. At first they weren't so sure about the cold and hard tile floor and spent most of their time in the dogloo that had comfy blankets, but more and more they got used to this new surface and would sometimes choose to stay there for a nap. Their teeth are coming out in cute rows of hard dots. It's funny how all the teeth come out together and not one at a time like with our "human babies" :)
They were wormed for the first time this week. (They sure thought that stuff was nasty!)
Their noses are continuing to get more black speckles. Some puppies faster than the others.
They can now walk very well without tumbling over. Sometimes they try to stand up to catch a snack when Mika is up. They can hear really well. If we come in, they all quickly wake up and come out to greet us (along with some very loud yapping!) Occasionally, one will surprise us with an attempt at a real bark or growl. Last week, their eyes were open, but it wasn't until this week that it felt like they were truly looking at us.
It's getting funner and funner!
They were wormed for the first time this week. (They sure thought that stuff was nasty!)
Their noses are continuing to get more black speckles. Some puppies faster than the others.
They can now walk very well without tumbling over. Sometimes they try to stand up to catch a snack when Mika is up. They can hear really well. If we come in, they all quickly wake up and come out to greet us (along with some very loud yapping!) Occasionally, one will surprise us with an attempt at a real bark or growl. Last week, their eyes were open, but it wasn't until this week that it felt like they were truly looking at us.
It's getting funner and funner!
Puppies socializing with our friends during Valentines dinner; Enjoying warm milk.
Puppies 4th week
Visitors this week: 4 kids & teens, 5 women, 2 men.
Weight: approx. 8 lbs.
They are getting so social! They love being held and handled. They are also teething and search for your fingers and knuckles to chew on. They had their first real water bath early this week. Standing in water and having to cough at the water when their nose inevitably got wet when trying to lap the water was a surprise to them. One at a time, they all four tried to drink and each had the same reaction, it was funny.
We decided the puppies had enough fat on them to handle the cool outside air. They loved it! So we set up a "pen" and moved their dogloo outside. We'll try to have them spend some time outside every day, weather permitting.
We're focusing on any noises that they could be fearful of and give them lots of love at the same time as they show confidence. Lots of positive reinforcement so situations that could be stressful become something to simply ignore. By the way, the washer and dryer is such a constant background noise, it may even become a soothing sound for them later on in their future home to reminisce about the good old puppy days! haha
Weight: approx. 8 lbs.
They are getting so social! They love being held and handled. They are also teething and search for your fingers and knuckles to chew on. They had their first real water bath early this week. Standing in water and having to cough at the water when their nose inevitably got wet when trying to lap the water was a surprise to them. One at a time, they all four tried to drink and each had the same reaction, it was funny.
We decided the puppies had enough fat on them to handle the cool outside air. They loved it! So we set up a "pen" and moved their dogloo outside. We'll try to have them spend some time outside every day, weather permitting.
We're focusing on any noises that they could be fearful of and give them lots of love at the same time as they show confidence. Lots of positive reinforcement so situations that could be stressful become something to simply ignore. By the way, the washer and dryer is such a constant background noise, it may even become a soothing sound for them later on in their future home to reminisce about the good old puppy days! haha
First time in the grass
Introducing startling sounds as they can now hear real well. We want to ease their fear reflex. Dropped metal lids, pushed chairs around, ran washer and dryer, etc. Today, we brought in a very crinkly and noisy cat food bag. At first, some growled, others did cute little barks and defensive jumps, but soon, all were happy for a new toy/nap pad.
Home school field trip. When it was time for the mom and two other sibling to leave, these two girls just had to stay longer!
Puppies at 4 weeks; the 4th kept pushing everyone around so here are Placid, Waldo and Cheyenne
Puppies 5th week
Visitors this week: 6 kids & teens, 1 woman, 2 men.
Weight: almost 10 1/2 lbs.
We spent a lot of time outside this week. Nights are still way too cold, so they sleep inside. They enjoy eating solid food (kibble softened in warm milk and sometimes egg), but nothing compares to Mika's milk. She is trying to wean them a bit by making it harder for the pups to reach her teats. She stands, then walks around a bit, but they don't give up, and they are so quick now that even if they only get to suck for a minute or two, they can get a good fill.
They enjoy playing with toys and chew things, but their favorite occupation (when they don't have humans around) is each other. They wrestle, growl, pounce, wag tails, groom each other and snooze.
We're still working on their confidence around noise, hustle and bustle and regular handling. Did some hammering around them, they got pushed around in the stroller, swung on the swings and probably the most stressful situation they had to endure was swallowing the nasty dewormer medicine!
Weight: almost 10 1/2 lbs.
We spent a lot of time outside this week. Nights are still way too cold, so they sleep inside. They enjoy eating solid food (kibble softened in warm milk and sometimes egg), but nothing compares to Mika's milk. She is trying to wean them a bit by making it harder for the pups to reach her teats. She stands, then walks around a bit, but they don't give up, and they are so quick now that even if they only get to suck for a minute or two, they can get a good fill.
They enjoy playing with toys and chew things, but their favorite occupation (when they don't have humans around) is each other. They wrestle, growl, pounce, wag tails, groom each other and snooze.
We're still working on their confidence around noise, hustle and bustle and regular handling. Did some hammering around them, they got pushed around in the stroller, swung on the swings and probably the most stressful situation they had to endure was swallowing the nasty dewormer medicine!
Puppies at 5 weeks + 2 days (Yin-and-Yang, Waldo, Placid and Cheyenne)
Puppies 6th week
Visitors this week: 15 kids & teens, 2 women, 3 men.
Weight 14 lbs.
Their personalities are starting to show. In a week, they will be 49 days, which is the best time to perform the puppy aptitude test (PAT) needed to match each puppy to the best home. Lots of information is available online about the PAT.
The puppies are starting to venture further around the property, very curious about everything.
We worked on building confidence by pushing a wheelbarrow around them (Mika was such a barker around anything on wheels when she was a pup! We're trying to prevent that.), testing the bounciness of a trampoline (again, we used to have a dog who went crazy whenever the kids jumped on the trampoline, to the point where neighbors were complaining), experiencing water during bath time, and a variety of surfaces and obstacles, always in a positive and upbeat environment. Lots of visitors this week! These puppies are "melting" a lot of hearts!
Weight 14 lbs.
Their personalities are starting to show. In a week, they will be 49 days, which is the best time to perform the puppy aptitude test (PAT) needed to match each puppy to the best home. Lots of information is available online about the PAT.
The puppies are starting to venture further around the property, very curious about everything.
We worked on building confidence by pushing a wheelbarrow around them (Mika was such a barker around anything on wheels when she was a pup! We're trying to prevent that.), testing the bounciness of a trampoline (again, we used to have a dog who went crazy whenever the kids jumped on the trampoline, to the point where neighbors were complaining), experiencing water during bath time, and a variety of surfaces and obstacles, always in a positive and upbeat environment. Lots of visitors this week! These puppies are "melting" a lot of hearts!
Puppies at 6 weeks (Yin-and-Yang, Waldo, Placid and Cheyenne top and bottom)
Puppies 7th week
Visitors this week: 26 kids & teens, 9 women, 6 men. (probably more but I lost track)
Weight 16 lbs
The puppies are all over the place! They are so full of energy and love to chase us around! Some neighbor kids thought they were being attacked by "wild bunnies" while walking to the school bus stop as the puppies came bounding towards them. It's true that at a full run, their front legs move together, and their back legs move together too which makes it look like hopping!
We gave them a little car ride this week. They were pretty surprised as they had entirely forgotten their trip to the vet at 4 days of age.
So many visitors this week! These puppies are real stars!
Weight 16 lbs
The puppies are all over the place! They are so full of energy and love to chase us around! Some neighbor kids thought they were being attacked by "wild bunnies" while walking to the school bus stop as the puppies came bounding towards them. It's true that at a full run, their front legs move together, and their back legs move together too which makes it look like hopping!
We gave them a little car ride this week. They were pretty surprised as they had entirely forgotten their trip to the vet at 4 days of age.
So many visitors this week! These puppies are real stars!
Puppies 8th week
Visitors this week: 18 kids & teens, 8 women, 6 men
This is the puppies' last week with us (except for the female that we are keeping). The puppy aptitude test was performed last Saturday, and we have matched each puppy to its ideal home. None of the pups are either too dominant or too shy and we feel very happy about their temperaments. They will make wonderful companions. This week the puppies were given their third and last worming and their first puppy shots.
They will leave a very empty "hole" behind them... we are sad to see them go. Mika on the other hand is looking forward to resume "life as she knows it", filled with outings in the snow (if there is any left)! She keeps trying to tell her puppies that she is no longer a milk factory, but they are very insistent, and most of the time, she just gives in. One more freedom she is looking forward too. :)
This is the puppies' last week with us (except for the female that we are keeping). The puppy aptitude test was performed last Saturday, and we have matched each puppy to its ideal home. None of the pups are either too dominant or too shy and we feel very happy about their temperaments. They will make wonderful companions. This week the puppies were given their third and last worming and their first puppy shots.
They will leave a very empty "hole" behind them... we are sad to see them go. Mika on the other hand is looking forward to resume "life as she knows it", filled with outings in the snow (if there is any left)! She keeps trying to tell her puppies that she is no longer a milk factory, but they are very insistent, and most of the time, she just gives in. One more freedom she is looking forward too. :)
That's it! We have said goodbye to Yin-and-Yang who is going home to Idaho Falls, to a family with older kids and multiple dogs. He was named Scout and will love going to the family cabin and play in the snow and the lakes. Waldo went home to Nampa to a family with a young boy. He will be very loved by all three family members, not to mention neighbors and extended family. We are excited as he will be able to do some "therapy work" at the assisted living place where "mom" works. He was named Finn. Placid went home to a young woman in Boise who has loved the breed ever since she had the chance to dog-sit for a Berner years ago. He will also be very loved and will enjoy chasing squirrels in his fun and shady backyard. He was named Shoji.
Cheyenne stayed with us and we finally settled with the name Brooke. Keeping her has made it much easier to say goodbye to our furry friends. We wish them health, love and lots of happiness with their new owners!
Cheyenne stayed with us and we finally settled with the name Brooke. Keeping her has made it much easier to say goodbye to our furry friends. We wish them health, love and lots of happiness with their new owners!
Shoji in his new home
Shoji went to live in Boise, right at the base of the mountain. He loves hikes in the foothills and being his mom's favorite pall.
Finn in his new home
Finn stayed nearby, here in the Boise area. It is very fun to see him grow up with the family's young son. They are quite a team. Finn also enjoys outings to the mountains.
Scout in his new home
Scout is living the life in Eastern Idaho, surrounded by mountains, snow and lakes. He often goes on hikes with friends and dogs. He enjoys water, which is not always the case with Berners, but the fact that he went canoeing and swimming while he was still young must have contributed to that.
And Brooke who stayed with us... our future Momma!
