Two more valentines! Puppies number 4 and 5 came fast, and number 4 had a problem. She separated from the cord in the birth canal, and--proof of fetal distress--she was covered in meconium (prenatal poop) hence her green caste in the photo. Luckily she is fine! She was born at 11:30, and weighed 14.9oz--the "runt?"--but feisty! Puppy number five came hot on her smaller sister's heels, born at 11:35 and weighing 1lb., 1.3oz (she is last on the right, next to her greenish sister.)

in the incubator while Mommy delivers puppy number 6!

Puppy number six is Buddy's valentine too--just in time!--arriving at 11:58 PM, and weighing 1lb., 2.8oz

A seventh puppy was delivered stillborn at 2:45 AM. She was a beautiful light golden color, and perfectly developed. She had been separated from her cord while Buddy was working to deliver her, depriving her of oxygen, and was unable to be resuscitated. Buddy really tried to bring her little puppy back to life, licking her and nosing her assertively, and she seemed to know there was a problem. After about ten minutes of both of us trying to revive the puppy, but seeing no signs of life, Buddy looked up at me sadly. When we removed her puppy she started to follow us, but then gave a big sigh and lay down with her other puppies instead. Her seventh puppy is Buddy's very special valentine.

Buddy rests with her pups.

Jake is proud of his mommy-dog, Buddy, and her six new babies!