Devotion = YES Obsession = NO
 

Mini is a full-time mama!

Her lightbulb went off about 8pm last night! She had already discovered nursing is wonderful after her Oxytoxin injection ... but would not clean!

About 8pm last night, I had just finished warm, wet, cottonballing one rear-end. She came out from under my dresser, walked into her box and started licking them. It was either the Nutri-cal on their little rear-ends or maybe the smell of her milk coming out of them ... ?

But now she won't leave them! I take her out to pee, which she does, then she races back in through the doggie door, down the hall, and back in with them. I've put her food and water by the puppy box ... no use. She won't leave them!

Explaining the difference between devotion and obsession hasn't worked. Placing her in front of her food and water hasn't worked.

Can this be a problem or will she eat when she's good and hungry ... which, with Mini, is any time, all the time, every time ... but not now. It's only been 24 hours, but she's only 5lbs. and producing milk !~ I don't want to put off asking.

Shall I resort to Nutri-cal? :yorkietal

That's great news!!! :) Isn't it great to watch her mothering instincts kicking in! Maybe a more experienced person can advise you on supplements to help keep mom healthy. I think calcium is good to give them after pups are born because the nursing depletes their calcium. I kept Bitsy's food and water right beside her whelping box.

Zoe wouldn't leave her puppies either at first...she would go outside to potty and then run as fast as she could to her pups....we kept her food by her box and after a couple of days she relaxed abit...good luck with the pups...they are so much fun!!

Is this Mini's first litter? If so then she is "learning" how to be a mommy. Instinct tells her how to take care of her babies, but there is still the bridge between "knowing" and "doing"

Glad all is well. Hey, where are the pics?

Yes, she is a joy to watch now!
 

I gave in and served her in the box! She drank as I held a small cup and lapped up some Nutri-cal on a small plate. Young motherhood in full bloom after a "C" section! LOL Next time, maybe on a silver tray with a small rose in a vase ...

I love the way she beats a path through the doggie door, around the corner and down the hall to her babies, just as fast as she can waddle! She's become a mother with a mission! :) LOL

Im so glad she is wanting to be with her babies more now. Thats great.

good job mini!!! I knew you had it in you.
It is funny how they go out side, get the job done and then beat it in to be with the pups again. Ahia has always taken her good ole time when it comes to pottying. after having her pups she acted like she was being timed. my husband said "I wish she was like that all the time".

I am so glad to hear things are going well!! But, you have to post some pics, nothin cuter than puppies!

Yes! we want pictures!!

Mini's Babies Pics
 

Mini has become maniacal! I picked up little star (he's the one I worried over not pooping) and took him out of the room. Mini followed me, leaping up for him ... I quickly apologized and returned him to his box ...
"ok, ok, I'm sorrrry, Mini!"
And here, I thought we were co-mothering, uh-uh, no more!

Pics are the three on first day, after Mini's "C" Section. The baby was the cork-stopper ... 5oz. feet first. I'll put the two boys on tomorrow.

Mini did get hungry and come out for dinner tonight! I was worried. Then she ran outside to potty and came in asking for help, with poop hanging out her rear ... I'm not supposed to bathe her until her stitches come out ... but we did a fast rear end in the sink and dry job. I guess she knows I'm still good for something!

Mini is a first time, "C" section mom ... and I'm a first time litter mom ... it has been a harrowing 3-4 days ... from total rejection and dry teats to a full time mothering obsession.

And, you're absolutely right, it's all a learning experience ... for both of us.
I think she needs to learn she can pick them up and move them around, so I don't have to race in there each time one wiggles away from her and starts screaming. :jump28ib:

They are precious! you're doing a great job with them

They are just precious :) I remember when I took all the pups to the vet for tail docking and dew claw removal at three days old, and carried them in the pet carrier. Bitsy, to this day, if I am carrying any kind of purse or bag that resembles a pet carrier she gets all nervous and has to look inside to see if there are any puppies in it :)