Durgin started delivery just before 8:00PM on this first full day of summer, June 22, 2005. Unfortunately the first one out was a tiny male that weighed only 4 ½ ounces, who was stillborn. However the next one was a beautiful, broken coated male at 9 3/8 ounces, his name is Darby. Next followed a very small girl (Grace) coming in at 6 3/8 ounces. These first three were all whelped within 10 minutes! After an hour wait, numbers 4 and 5 came out – both backwards. These were both very large with the girl (Joy) weighing 10 ounces and the monster boy ( Sterling) at 10 5/8 ounces. Finally, the last one (Oscar) made his appearance around 10:15, coming in at a very nice 8 ¾ ounces. After going to sleep around 1:15AM and ensuring everyone was doing well around 3:30AM the household slept well until 6:00AM, or so it seemed. Coming into the kitchen/whelping room at 6:00, all 6 of the puppies were doing well. Quick head snap resulting in a recount of the puppies showed yes indeed there were 6 in there with Durgin. Upon further inspection, there was a new one who was very wet having been whelped within the last ½ hour. Omah weighed in at a very healthy 9 ½ ounces. So, for the third time in a row Durgin had 3 boys and 3 girls.
The sire of these little masked wonders was CH Aran Isles Haul Away Joe.
Birth – Settling down for their first night’s sleep.
Week 1 – Durgin counting/watching the puppies after coming back into the pen from getting a meal.
Week 2 – Butt check, Durgin doing her motherly duty.
Week 3 – Grace with a milk moustache.
Week 4 – All lined up awaiting lunch.
Week 5 – A new meaning to over and under.
Week 6 – Pleading to come out of the pen and play.
Week 7 – Learning that hunting is fun – even if it is just little bugs.
Week 8 – Oh what fun it is to bite your ear.