The FLOWER Litter

The puppies are here! Mamma did amazing! She gave birth to 8 healthy pups - 6 girls and 2 boys.

In the first hours of her life, Lily proved her determination to EAT. NO.MATTER.WHAT! This little girl maintained her birth weight and even doubled it within a few days.

Did you know... Puppies twitch often while they sleep. This twitching is called Activated Sleep. Their bodies naturally work in the same way that electrical stimulation works to help human bedridden patients maintain muscle. Because puppies spend almost all of their time sleeping, it would be impossible for them to develop enough muscle to ever stand on their feet. So, their brains end out small electrical impulses to stimulate their muscles and build them. This is what causes their muscles to twitch and pop. By week 3, their muscles will be strong enough to begin walking! This twitching is a key indication that the puppies are healthy and doing well. ISN'T NATURE AMAZING!!

We can't get over how cute Rose and Iris are with their cuddles! I don't know about you, but I wish I could nap like this.

Aster had the wiggles. So much so that he wiggled away from the heat lamp, heating pad, and whelping mat. But his sisters, Iris and Lily, were determined to keep him warm no matter what!

Here at Desert Bloom Doodles, we strive to raise emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy puppies. From days 3-16 of the puppies' lives, we work on Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS). This is the time that the puppies' neurological system is forming, and research shows that we can positively influence the way it forms by incorporating slight stressors. Stimulating the neurological system during this window of time can change the puppy for the rest of its life! What are the long-term results? 1. Greater tolerance to stress in the future 2. Greater tolerance to disease 3. Faster adrenal system 4. Stronger heart rate and heart beat Puppies are never put through ENS protocols if they are already experiencing stress from their environment. But, if the puppy is healthy and thriving, research shows that ENS can help the puppy remain healthy and continue to thrive well into its adult years. *** Blossom did an amazing job being our ENS puppy model for this video. ***

Puppies have met their first major milestone: THEIR EYES ARE OPEN!!! Don't those little, beady eyes just melt your heart?!

Super proud of our girl, who has been the best mamma to her pups. For the past two weeks, she has been extremely attentive and loving, carefully tending to each babe individually. When she needs some relief, she comes out for some love and attention from us, which we gladly give her. But it doesn't last too long, because she is anxious to bet back to her whelping box. We couldn't be happier or more proud of her.