PODENGOS DA FLORESTA
                                          "Podengos of the Forest"

                            JOURNAL of the "E" LITTER:

                              
                                                                                   Rory and hour old Ezequiel - March 17, 2008
                                                                                                      St. Patrick's Day "gold"
                                 

   Whether you are a "first timer" or have had many litters of puppies, there is nothing more miraculous
   than the new life that appears during a whelping.  We'd like to continue our tradition of sharing the
   different changes and stages of development that our wire-hair Portuguese Podengo Pequeno puppies
   go through as they grow.  We welcome any comments from people visiting our website.  Just click on
   our e-mail address below and send us a line.  We hope you enjoy the page.

 

  March 17 - 18, 2008:
    The first 24 hours:
<"Puppy" is cuddling up to "Momma"
   to keep his body temperature up.
   Puppies can't regulate their body
   temperature for the first two weeks of
   life.  If their temperature drops, their body
   is unable to digest their milk.
   Almost 12 hours old, "Puppy" is very     >
   content in his new surroundings.  The heat
   lamp is on. Room temperature is kept
   around 77F degrees for the first 2 weeks.
   An upclose shot shows "Puppy"
     surrounded by huge "sources" of milk.
     Being an "only" does have some advan-
< tages!  Rory's milk supply adjusted well
     within the next couple of days as this
     little fellow nursed on his favorite nipples
     and the lack of stimulation of the others
     caused the milk supply to dwindle in those.

     Note the puppy's pads, nose, and lip
     color.  At this time it is pink.  This will   >
     change in a short time.

     "Puppy's" weight at birth was 5.6 oz.

 

 

 March 20, 2008:  3 Days Old

 <  Rory has recovered from her "C"
   section and "Puppy" has been nursing
   very well.
  He does squawk when he can't find  Mom,
   but that's to be expected since there are
   no littermates to "pile" with to keep
   warm.  Rory is tending him very well
   which is great as this is her first litter.

   Rory constantly checking on "Puppy"  >
   to be sure he is okay.  She's still a little
   unsure about this "nursing" business,
   but allows him to when he wants.

   "Puppy's" weight at Day 3 is 8.3 oz.

                               
 

  March 21, 2008: Day 4

 < We have now named the little
   boy Ezequiel da Floresta.  We
   will call him "Ezzi" until he goes
   to his new home.
   Here you see him "buried" in
   his momma's wiry hair.

   In this picture, you can see   >
   that Ezzi's lips are starting to  
   turn black.  The base of his ears
   on the inside are turning dark
   gray.

 
 

 

MARCH 22, 2008:  Day 5
Rory and Ezzi very content.
Heat lamp now used only when Rory is outside.


 

 
MARCH 23, 2008:
                        Day 6
< Ezzi snuggling into that
   warm, wiry Pequeno hair.

   Close-up head shot shows >
  inside of whole ear now has
   dark gray skin.

  TODAY IS EASTER !!
 
The Easter Bunny stopped by Ezzi's
whelping box to visit while he slept.

 

 

MARCH 25, 2008:  Day 8
Ezzi crawls anywhere to snuggle up.
Much growth seen this first week.

Weight at 7 days of age:  14.5 oz.
 		 MARCH 26: Day 9
Look closely at the front of the muzzle by
the whisker area and lips and you will see
the skin darkening up.

 

  Day 10
Ezzi's nose is starting to darken up
as are his whisker areas and lips.
Ezzi's toenails were clipped today
for the first time.

 MARCH 27, 2008:  Day 10
Foot and toe pads are getting black
coloring.		   Day 10
Puppies ears are are not "open" when they
are born. They are still developing.
Ezzi's should open soon.

 


Nicky & Ezzi
Rory, Nate, Nicky, Tyler with Ezzi		  
                                                MARCH 28,
                                At last Ezzi is old enough for
                                    under Gramma's and 		2008:  Day 11
the grandchildren to hold
Rory's watchful eyes !!!		  

Rory & Nate & Ezzi
Tyler
holding Ezzi
  


 

MARCH 29, 2008:  Day 12
"UDDER" Contentment !!
See how dark his muzzle skin has gotten.		 MARCH 30, 2008:  Day 13
Guess whose eyes opened in the last 24 hours???
He doesn't look happy to see what's in this world.
 
              MARCH 31, 2008: Day 14
                        Weight: 23.5 ounces
                 APRIL 2, 2008: Day 16
Ezzi starting to try to stand on all 4 legs and creep around.
 
APRIL 3, 2008: Day 17   Ezzi is creeping around the whelping box
  including sitting up.

                      ^  Wake up, Mom !

        V   Mom's at it again digging up the towels.    

^   Ho, hum.  Guess it's time for another nap.

V  Wish I could figure out how to make a nest like  
she does.

 

              APRIL 4, 2008:  Day 18
   Ezzi responded to my voice noticeably; his ears are
                              definitely"open".
       Here he is in Nate's arms with Rory looking on.		 Laying on a lap is kind of nice.
Belly Up !! It never ceases to amaze us how large Pequeno puppies seem to be compared to their dams at a very early age.

 

APRIL 7, 2008: Day 21
 Weight:  32 ounces
Standing on all 4 legs a lot now.

 

                                                         APRIL 9, 2008:
            Up on all 4 legs and starting to walk around !		 Day 23
                           A whole new world !!!
                         What's this ?               Hey !  Let me outta here ! Whew !!!!
In the last 5 days, Ezzi has shown much development in starting to try to walk upright on all 4's.  He sits very well now.
He is beginning to feel more comfortable in walking around on the carpet outside of the whelping box - a totally different feel on his little feet.  He has started to wag his tail when Cal speaks to him; and he is starting to play with Rory's facial hair and pulling it and her ears with his mouth.  He is developing a "puppy" personality.  Rory is still doing all of the cleaning !!  Yea, Rory !!
 

Ezzi exploring within the "safety" of Sammi.

      APRIL 10, 2008:  Day 24
                          Hey, World !!

Sammi and Ezzi snuggling a little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

APRIL 14, 2008: Day 28
Today  Ezzi was started on some gruel - very thick ground up puppy kibble with tiny slivers of boiled chicken and a few curds of cottage cheese wet down well with chicken broth and warm water.  He licked a lot of it enthusiastically and ended up with a great deal of it under his chin.  A good start to feeding solids !!
Ezzi is comfortably exploring around the room now and trying to play even more with his Momma. 
He's starting to play a little with a knotted cotton sock and with my sheepskin slippers.
He graduated to a child's swimming pool with bedding and is out of his whelping box now.
 
 

APRIL 15, 2008: Day 29
Weight at 4 weeks + 1 day: 39 ounces
Ezzi is let out of the "pool" many times during the day to play with humans and to wander around the room.

           

APRIL 16, 2008: Day 30
Ezzi trotted all over the room and played with Rory every time he was let out of the "pool".
Upper two canines have erupted (no incisors yet).

 

APRIL 17, 2008: Day 31
Rory sleeping less and less with Ezzi and more in her nearby open crate.
Ezzi's ears are starting to go up noticeably now.
Starting to get curious about all that is in the bedroom.
Ezzi eats his gruel best when Rory is also eating it.

 
                                                     APRIL
       
          Ezzi standing and looking around.		 18 & 19, 2008: Days 32 & 33
   Tyler and Sammi spend 2 days and the
   night.  Ezzi gets LOTS of "kid" attention.

        Checking out the bedding towels.

      
      Ezzi is really starting to play

     hard with Rory now.  He grabs

     her by the tail, the leg, any-

     thing he can get into his mouth.


 

                                      APRIL 20, 2008:
Rory is now going outside with the other Podengos and wanting to stay out rather than be with Ezzi.

                                 *****************
   Ezzi's first time outside.  He was curious but stayed
        right around us in the grass and dead leaves.
                  It was a warm, sunny spring day.		 Day 34
 Two molars have erupted in Ezzi's lower jaw today.   
 Still no incisors showing yet. Not unusual for
 Pequenos.
                       ********************
      Ezzi stayed in the tall daffodils just long enough
                                 for a quick picture.
                      These are more my size !                                In Poppa's arms.


APRIL 21, 2008: Day 35
Ezzi was outside again today to experience the pickly grass, the warm well rocks, and a
cold patch of left over snow. Every time we called him, he came running to us with tail wagging.
(See how long this lasts once he discovers using his nose outside !)

                    Ezzi gets his first tennis ball.         "Stepping up" to the job of eating.
                           
                            Rory and Ezzi cuddling.
    


 

APRIL 22, 2008:  Day 36
Ezzi kept climbing out of the "pool" during the day.
It is time for him to be moved into the living room into the x-pen and to meet the rest of the Podengo pack.
He is now 5 weeks and one day old; and he weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces.

Cal held Ezzi on his lap as all the adult Podengos gathered around to meet the new puppy.
Ezzi did not appear to be frightened at all. We will try over the next few days to introduce him to just
a few at a time to actually play with until they all get used to one another.
Even so, great care has to be taken with a puppy this age that no one get too rough or
try to snap at him.
Rory showed very little anger at the others coming near Ezzi. It was the "right" time for this transition
to take place.

 Half of the Podengo pack meet Ezzi in the living room.
        The others are in the room but can't be seen.


APRIL 24, 2008:  Day 38
Ezzi is really starting to eat his gruel now since he isn't able to nurse at night.
Rory has no desire to spend the night with him and has cut down on his nursing in the last few days
to almost not at all.  I will put her in with him several times a day until he turns 6 weeks old
just to let him help her "dry" up more easily and also to keep that mother/puppy bond as
long as is possible naturally.

Ezzi's outside time is showing him to be gaining in great confidence. He trots all over the grass and
is starting to use his nose for scenting "good" things.
 

Chewing on Nate's sneaker....NO !  "Warm sunshine" Ezzi's first rabbit....slow movin'
Rough Podengo play with Momma

Ezzi meets Racio.
Racio has always been very gentle with little puppies.

Ezzi, Ilda, and Racio meet.
Ilda loves puppies and tries to mother them even if they aren't hers.

Up close and "personal".
Not a problem for Ezzi.


APRIL 25, 2008:  Day 39
 Ezzi is really starting to eat his gruel now.
Rory has no milk and lets him nurse for a minute or so just to "mother" him.
We have started Ezzi's "potty training" early morning, late night, and after each meal.
Much verbal praise is given along with the words "pee" and "poop".
When puppies can learn what these words mean at an early age, it makes traveling with them
later on very easy.

 

APRIL 27, 2008:  Day 41
 Ezzi is playing with his great aunt Dinha in the living room.
All the other Podengos are outside.
Ezzi's lower canines (fangs) have erupted.  He now has 6 teeth.

Ezzi has learned about going under the big living room cupboard.
Only very young puppies can fit under here.

"Auntie" Dinha playing with Ezzi.
Ezzi is leaping into the air here.

Looking around to see what kind of mischief he can get into.

APRIL 29, 2008:  Day 43
Ezzi's weight at 6 wks + 1 day is 3.0 pounds.
He is weaned, although he still tries to nurse when he's allowed to run with Rory.
We put Ezzi with different adults - one at a time - to run and play.

MAY 1, 2008:  Day 45
Ezzi took his first walk in the woods with the other Podengos today.
Much of the time he walked, but some of the time he was carried.
He was very interested in everything around him, although some of the fallen branches
were bigger than he was.  Not a problem. He found a way around or under them.

Ezzi now approaches Mo, the cat, with no fear or aggression, only curiosity.

 

               Playing "peek-a-boo" with
                           Auntie Dinha		            MAY 2 & 3, 2008
         Ezzi's favorite spot to take a nap		    Big enough now to wrestle with "Auntie"
       Ilda & Ezzi wrestling Podengo style                Strong enough to jump over
                            the x-pen gate		       Ilda watching Ezzi relax upside down
                       on Momma's legs


MAY 3,  2008:  Day 47
 Ezzi is really starting to use his nose in the dog yard and on our walks in the nearby woods.
His dad, Habib, is an enthusiastic hunter when we go into the forest. Looks like the traits have
been carried on.  Hurrah !!

Finally, Ezzi's upper incisors are starting to erupt.  Sometimes PPPWH's have a VERY strange
teething process and timetable.

His kibble is no longer being ground, however, it is still being slightly moistened.  He eats with
great enthusiam getting fed 3 times a day.  We do not self feed as meals make the "potty" training
much easier.  When something goes in - well, something else must come out.
It's going along very well.

MAY 6, 2008:  Day 50
 Ezzi is 7 weeks + 1 day old today.  He weighs 3 pounds and 6 ounces.
He is now able to climb up and down the 7 inch high door stoop between the living room and the
computer room with no problem. 
He runs all over the front yard, but likes best to go under the deck where I can't reach him !
He is becoming very independent on our walks in the side field and a short woods path.
He is playing very contentedly with the adult Podengos in the house under our watchful eyes.
 

Chewing on the cotton knot helps massage
         Ezzi's gums as his teeth erupt		     Wandering around the computer room     
               amongst all the dog crates		             Ezzi and Mo greet each other
                in the sunny living room
    Trying out the inside of a "big dog" crate  
   


MAY 11, 2008:  Day 55
 Ezzi is now jumping down from the living room to the computer room with an easy running bound.
He plays with the adult Podengos with NO fear and much "rough housing".
We will let him play unsupervised with several adult Podengos when we are sitting nearby watching tv or
working on the computer.  The exercise is helping him to develop a strong body.  At the same time,
he is learning social "doggy" skills as the adults will only take so much "abuse" before they set him in
his place firmly but without harm.

Ezzi is becoming VERY independent in the woods on our daily short walks. 
When we put the collar on him for the first time today, it did not faze him in the least.
MAY 12, 2008:  Day 56
 Lead training was started today.  We use very short sessions and lots of praise and play
along with some food reward to encourage the whole process.

Ezzi's bottom incisors are now erupting.
MAY 13, 2008:  Day 57
 Eight weeks + one day old:  weight is 3 pounds and 13 ounces.

Ezzi is climbing all over the stonewalls where he goes out to "potty".
He is now able to jump down from some of the lower rocks.
He's very inquisitive, looking for critters and "tidbits" that are to be found amongst
the rocks in the stonewalls.  Great little nose !!  Too good sometimes.

He loves to have someone throw his rubber rings or a knotted sock or his cotton chewing knot.
Frequently, he will retrieve it and is given much praise.   (Future obedience prospect ??)


MAY 15, 2008:  Day  59
 Today Ezzi went for his first ride in the car. We were on the way to visit the veterinarian
for Ezzi's first exam and his first distemper complex inoculation. 
He saw some big dogs in the waiting room, but their size didn't seem to bother him at all. 
I kept him in my lap as I did not want to expose him to any sort of "germs"
that might be on the floor before he had received any inoculations.
Dr. Wes Chapin of Broadview Animal Hospital examined him and stated that
he was in great health !!  Ezzi just wagged his tail.

We also stopped at the garden center to buy some annuals.
Several customers had to hold Ezzi because he was so cute.
He took it all in stride and gave lots of kisses.
Once we got home, Ezzi took a LONG nap.

 We have had a great deal of computer problems
and been unable to update our webpages.
Ezzi is now almost 17 weeks old and has gone to his new home
in SE Maine.
Below are some pictures that show his growth and development
until he left at 16 weeks of age.
To continue on with his "story", we will post more pictures
on his very own webpage as time goes on.
See "New Homes & Owners"

 

                         May 20, 2008
   Ezzi and Nicky playing in the living room		                           May 22, 2008
           Standing up to the "big guys"
                    (9.5 weeks of age)		                             June 4, 2008
                    Wrestling with "Poppa"
                           June 7, 2008
             Cooling off on a very hot day
 		                                  June 17, 2008
              Getting too big for his cube
                     (13 weeks of age)		                              July 3, 2008
       Getting a drink of water at the pond
                        July 3, 2008
    Walking back from a swim at the pond
      Sammi, Ezzi, and "Grandpa" Tintol 		                            July 3, 2008
       Ezzi sits long enough for a picture
                   (15.5 weeks of age)		                           June 29, 2008
 Ezzi with his new parents, Craig & Amanda
                           July 6, 2008
       Ezzi left for his new home in Maine

 

for further info:

calpens@worldpath.net

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