Day 4 – Names!

So in all the worry and stress about Popcorn, we haven’t had a chance to properly introduce you to the Fab Five. They’re more than just Popcorn! We are already starting to see their individual personalities come out.

First the Popcorn report: she gained again, she weighed in at 178 grams last night and this morning she was 186! She is strong enough and feisty enough that I’ve switched to sponge feeding her. It’s more natural and she likes it MUCH better than the tube. I do think she needed the tube for a couple of days to get her over that hump where she was barely holding her own, but now she’s strong and active. I will continue to top her up until I am sure she is gaining enough on her own. And even then, I will feed everyone one meal a day with the sponge – this is an idea I got from a Rottweiler breeder friend, Diane Richardson – she feels it helps with associating people with good things early. It certainly can’t hurt!

So here’s your starting (and only) lineup for the Alkemi C litter (all have snack food whelping box names, after Dr Gray and Renee got that theme started with Popcorn, with one notable exception):

Ruffles – gray (I think) female. First born (she was the one who had one leg dangling down but the other tucked up, so I had to help her get repositioned in order to get both legs down so she could be born). Second largest (216 grams at birth, 362 grams today). She is cuddly and energetic, she snuggles right in when you pick her up and hold her close, but she also motors around the box to be sure and get her steps in every day.

Orson – red (I think) male. Second born. By far the biggest puppy (189 grams at birth, so smaller than Ruffles at birth, but today he’s a whopping 404 grams). He is a big love. Cuddles in when you pick him up, swims around the box like Michael Phelps. He is a big hunk – big head, big legs, big fat puppy tummy. He is just all around a big puppy!

Chex – maybe red male. Third born, the three boys came in very quick succession after the Ruffles Roadblock was cleared. Chex has no white on his front feet, but he has a white chest and white back toes. He weighed 180 grams at birth and today was 330 grams. He’s the middle boy in all respects – middle birth order, middle weight. He’s another cuddler (they all are), and makes little “poofing” noises when he sniffs you.

Frito – also maybe a red male. Fourth born. 179 grams at birth, 308 grams today. His left front toes are white, he has a white chest, and he has white toes on both back feet. Also a snuggler, he is often the one you will see scooting around the edges of the box under the pig rails. He is very relaxed during his ENS exercises. He’s the smallest boy.

Popcorn – you already know her. Teeny tiny red (?) girl. 158 grams at birth, dropped to 150 the next day, back up to 186 grams today. She’s feisty and energetic, which is a big part of what’s helped her through so far!

There is one thing I wanted to mention here. Because of Popcorn. A breeder I Facebook-know who writes a blog (and I can’t find the exact post or I’d link to it) wrote a very good post several years ago about why she doesn’t allow people to choose their puppy. It’s all stuff I agree with, and is all also why I don’t allow people to choose their puppy. The biggest reason for me, is that my obligation is to my puppies, to place them in the best possible home for them that I can. This really isn’t elitist, as much as it may seem that way, it’s that I want that puppy to have the best life it can have, so I don’t place a high energy puppy with loads of working drive in a home that just wants a nice mellow pet. Which brings me to a great point that Joanna (the blogger) raises in her post (that I can’t find): people often choose the puppy who stands out on the day (or days) that they visit. The one with a different tail or different markings, or the one who sits alone, or the one who did that funny thing, or, yes, the one named Popcorn. Regardless of whether or not that puppy is actually the right one for them.

I’ve spent 8-10 weeks with my puppies by the time they leave me. I’ve known them since before they were born, and I knew their mother and often grandmother for their whole lives too. I try my best to have a pretty good sense of each puppy as an individual, not just as the one I could pick out on the webcam, or the one I read about because it had a different story.  And I try very hard to match the right puppy to the right home.

3 Responses to “Day 4 – Names!”

  1. Ruth Says:

    I read that blog too – I really like her writing! Is it is post?!

    https://rufflyspeaking.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/puppy-buyer-ettiquette/

    she talks about it a bit here too:

    https://rufflyspeaking.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/puppy-buyer-etiquette-slightly-continued-expressing-preferences/

    I think its wonderful when a breeder takes the time to match puppies. Not only is the puppy getting the best possible home/life, but the homes they end up in are happier in the long run too! 🙂 Glad everyone is doing well!

  2. Stephanie Says:

    Love the names! Big fan of Fritos actually, haha. Also, love that blog you shared too (nice plus w/ all the Cardi stuff).

    My Cardi and my Pem puppies were both picked out by the breeder for my family and our home during the time we added them to our families. Both of them were a perfect fit and it made our connection to our breeders so great. From sending holiday greetings or new titles, it’s a great feeling to share the journey and I know Sierra’s breeder at this time feels great knowing how she striving in her home with us!

    You guys really know what’s best and that’s the most impressive piece!

  3. E Says:

    omg love the names adorable!!!

    It’s so great to have transparency on the process and your approach! Thank you for sharing with us!

Leave a Reply