HAY pups 2 wks. old - BERRY pups 1 wk. old
- Hoekema Family
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The bigs are big and the littles are little... though the bigs seem to get bigger by the minute, and the littles are determined to catch right up to the bigs. The growth at this stage is truly astounding. It feels like every time I glance away even for a moment, they've changed again - a little fatter, a little plumper, somehow even cuter, and far more active than they were just seconds before. Their bellies round out, their little bodies strengthen, and the once-wobbly wiggles are slowly turning into determined scoots around the whelping box. Tiny squeaks and squeals fill the air as they root around for the best spot and the fullest belly. It's so hard to pull myself away from all this cuteness long enough to get my work done.
Isla's Hay babies are motoring around their box now like a squeaky loud bug infestation in my house. Even though there are only 9 babies in that box it's still a lot of noise! Each babe is over 2.5 lbs now and a few have broken the 3 lb. mark! Go Hay babies!
Leia's Berry babies are gaining and thriving beautifully. Each 5 of these very precious little berries have stolen my heart. Orchard, Clover and Oat are taking such good care of the berries. Stepping up to keep them warmer, pushing them around to keep them moving and to share the load for the mamas evenly. Such a huge bonus to have the 2 mamas co-parenting the babies together.
You can see in the photos what only 7 days of growth looks like in the Berry Box. You can pick out the Hay pups easily. Little Oat girl is very easy to spot as she is quite dark in coloring. This is yellow girl Oat, yes, in the pink collar temporarily until I could find more yellow collars (Yes so confusing!)
Yesterday was the first day of sunshine in so long that we immediately celebrated with the babies first stroller ride out on the property trail! Everyone did exceptional and was super cozy and content.
It's been so snowy, rainy and cold most of the week that there was no way even to sniff the air before now. A couple of the pups even got to meet the rest of the dogs briefly.
This week brought so much sweetness and joy to my days. Each pup stole me over in different ways I can't even describe. Pups crawled into my lap, up my pantlegs, into my shirt and into my heart of course. Sitting in their box is always the highlight of my day.
Amoungst all this beauty, the squeaks, squeals, and breath taking moments.... also came with an overwhelming challenge this week.
I absolutely love what I do, but it's work that asks a lot of you. It requires a strong, focused drive, determination, thick skin, courage to forge forward, difficult decisions, sleepless nights, and the will to push through when things get rough.
Behind every beautiful litter is not only joy and wonder, but also dedication, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to doing what is right for every life in my care.
Despite having 12 hungry pups nursing, still, Isla developed a raging case of mastitis starting Monday night. Even though I caught it early the force behind it was strong and relentless. I followed the guidance of my local vet and was able to get her on antibiotics immediately. Unfortunately, by Wednesday, it was obvious that that particular medication barely was touching the fierceness of this infection that was threatening to take hold.
By Wednesday mid-day, she wobbled, she waivered, she whimpered. And with all the might left in her eyes, reached into my soul and pleaded for more help. My local vet insisted this was not yet an emergency since we had managed to bring her fever down. But there was no way I could sit with that advice. She wasn't here to see the desperation in Isla's eyes or obviously the severity of the teat that was in danger from photos alone.
I quickly let her pups nurse, then gently picked her up, and placed her in the back of my rig. Within minutes we were headed to the ER. My side kick Arai, my youngest daughter, stepped in without hesitation - taking over with full love and dedication to back me up and to make sure those babies were cared for while I rushed their mama to get the help that she needed. My 2nd daughter, Kiah, backed Arai up. My team is exceptional.
"Thank you for getting me more help"
The ER doctor agreed with might, that this was definitely an emergency situation. If it wasn't addressed immediately, we could very well be faced with surgery and the possibility of a full mastectomy.
We made an aggressive treatment plan which included changing and increasing her antibiotics, stronger pain meds, continuing with hot compresses, and hoping for drainage to relieve pressure quickly. Care began immediately and continued around the clock every 3 hrs. Arai did incredible with the pack while we were gone and Leia also once again stepped up to the plate to take care of her sisters babies. In one box to nurse those 9, then into the other box to nurse the other 8. My darling Leia, oh how I love her so.
I called in my army and I made sure Isla had support and help from every possible angle. I brought her into do cold laser therapy and even managed to sneak her into my acupuncture doctors office for treatment. Even though he is not an animal acupuncturist, he was incredibly kind and more than willing to help. Isla received treatment there for 3 straight days.
Around the clock, every 3 hrs. for the next 3 days I cared for this mama so she could continue to care for her darling babies. We worked, we pressed forward and by yesterday there was finally headway. Our team efforts to turn this around, worked.
When you care this deeply for the animals entrusted to you, you leave no stone unturned. Every hour, every decision, every ounce of effort is poured into giving them the very best chance at healing and recovery. These girls are not just dogs to me—they are part of my family, partners in this journey, and the heart of everything I do. And when one of them needs help, we all rally together. Every time.
The snow this week bent my bamboo nearly flat to the ground. For a moment it looked as though the weight might be too much for it to recover. But when the sun came out, the bamboo remembered it's strength. Slowly but surely it began to rise again.
Today it stands just as tall and strong as it did before the storm. My strong and mighty Isla carries that same resilience. She may have been bent briefly by the weight of this week, but just like my bamboo, she is rising again.
The week ahead is going to be extremely busy again but in a different way. Lots to do, see, hear, experience, change and learn. Eyes have opened, ears will open soon, music will play, sights will be had and new experiences will be presented each and every day. The Hay babies not only have their belllies off the ground but are now doing laps around their box continuously. By the end of this week their box will be broken down and potty trays will be introduced. Their space will be kept small to encourage potty training success. Crates will be set up in anticipation for meal times starting at 3 wks.
More stroller rides will take place, water will be introduced and more handling of course will happen as much as possible. So much to do, so little time! Grasping onto every single second I have here to make a difference in these little lives. I hope all these families are having a blast with their prep work! Until next week everyone!
