mug shots- 17 days old

girl #1

girl #2

girl #3

girl #4

boy #1

boy #2

boy #3

boy #4

boy #5

around here...

Oh my, we've been busy!  It was so warm this week, Grandma and Grandpa had to bring the box and all 10 k9's into their house.  "Cheese" as we call her, started to show us her sweet little peepers this week.  Isn't she precious?

 

Here's one of the boys who is yet to be named...most of the others are starting to open their eyes, and all are starting to crawl a little.

 

 Soooooo cute, I could hold these pups all day long!

Along with puppy sitting, Grandma and Grandpa have been busy in their enormous gardens...

 

Cliff and I have also been busy with our first garden ever.  I have a new appreciation for gardening, and I've only had my hands dirty for 2 days now!  It's starting to take shape (literally...into a circle:)

 

 

Can't forget Grandma's flower garden...

And yesterday we found out that we are having another baby girl!! 
Whew, what a week!

the last 8 days

belly shots...(before puppies)


getting socialized-kid style...

 

staying warm...

and keeping cool...

Grandma's new bed...

doing what mom's do best...

oops, don't remember bringing that one home...

Happy Belated Birthday!

Yesterday, the 9th, Belle turned 2 years old and got to celebrate by being in the box with her 9 little ones:)  Everyone is doing so great and all the puppies are gaining weight and thriving.  Their dew claws were removed today and the vet was happy to see that all the puppies made it to their 3rd day.  He also said something about Belle being one of the sweetest (or maybe the best, I wasn't there...) Golden Retrievers he's ever met.  Makes me smile to think about what great additions these puppies are going to be for their new families.  After all, they came from the best, right?  :)  Sorry no pictures...it's been a busy day and I just wanted to give you all an update.  I will say that they are getting cuter and cuter every day.  Noticed today that their fur is getting softer, the bottom of their paws are getting black and their noses are getting color too.  Some have their own personality already too...so fun!      

miracle puppies

What a day...unbelievable in fact.  This morning Grandma and Grandpa brought Belle to the vet after a long hard night of labor and no puppies.

Shortly after that, Mom called to say that they had to do an emergency c-section because one of the puppies was stuck sideways.  They tried to turn the puppy but all they could grab was a paw and the rest was completely stuck.  At that point, we weren't sure the others would make it, and there was no way, we thought, that poor puppy would survive.

  
So we prayed, and waited.  I started to feel like something tragic had happened.  I called the vet for an update, and she said "Oh yes, it went great.  You have 9 puppies!  5 boys, and 4 girls!"  WHAT?  NINE?  They all survived???  I couldn't believe what I was hearing!

My jaw almost hit the floor when they told me that Belle's uterus was torn in a few places from all the pushing, and one of the puppies wasn't even attached to their cord.  Much longer and we would have lost them all.  Although we missed out on the whelping experience and any future litters with miss Belle, we are all so thankful.  They really are little miracles.  Adorable too:)









Grandma has literally been by their side the day and night with very little sleep.  Every time we made our way down the lane to check on Belle (and now the puppies!!) she is right by the box.  Or in it.  I am in awe of the things she is capable of...
































Belle is already stepping into her new role as a mommy.  It normally takes a couple days after a c-section for the mom to know what to do.  Her instincts have definitely taken over and you can see how much she loves them.  Another miracle?  It's a sweet thing to witness. Just don't take one out of her sight, or you'll get a serious stare-down!  The next few days are critical for the little pups, so I'll keep you posted.

counting down

Poor Belle...she's been lying around all day today and is breathing pretty hard.  She has no idea what's coming, but trust me girl...it's going to be worth it!  I think we're down to days, possibly hours here...I'll keep you posted! 


















Grandma and Grandpa built a nice whelping box for miss Belle and her puppies.  When the heat light is on, you'll usually find at least one kitty sleeping in there too:)  Exciting to think the box will not be empty much longer!