On Thursday, Lori writes: "Puppy Central

"Pixie is doing fine. Tonight I clipped up her lower parts, sort of an undercarriage flush. She was less then thrilled with that clippy monster. Her mammary glands are starting to really fill out. The previous owner said he saw her tie on September 9. Her temperature has been a steady 101.2 for past five days. We have a private birthing chamber all set up for her. Tomorrow we are going to get a baby monitor so I can listen for Pixie during the night. I had to promise my niece a new wading pool so she would let me use hers. Funny how you can't find wading pools in Wisconsin in October. I would guess that right now Pixie weighs 60 pounds. The father, Toy, is probably the same but much taller. Very vibrantly-colored with a small streak of white in his chest. I wish I had gotten a photo of him."

On Monday, 19 November, Lori writes: "I am convinced Pixie isn't going to let those puppies out 'till they are weaned and housebroken. Today she tried to dig a hole in the hall closet so I am taking that as a good sign."

Later that morning, Lori writes: "They are arriving as I type . . . so far two of each. Mom and pups doing well. They are so cute."

And then . . . ". . . looks real easy from my end. Jeff says it looks like they're wrapped in bubble wrap; all I do is pop the bubble and dry them off. Pixie takes it from there. She is exhausted right now. The babies are nursing well; very active and they really look like dogs already. The first girl is all nose. They have much more tan then I thought they would. They have some white on the chest. Dad has a white flash on his chest. Very cute. More later as more happens. . . ."

That evening: "The count is seven for now - four males and three females - and I am sure more to come. Pixie is so tired she falls asleep between births. She had a very restless night so I'm sure she is exhausted. The puppies are slipping out much faster as the process goes on."

And Tuesday morning: "It was a long day but we have a huge batch of puppies to show for it. I know Pixie was plumb but I never really thought she would have that many puppies. [Ten in all; five girls and five boys.] All are healthy and nursing like little pigs. Pixie is being a very good mom. She had no interest in getting the pups out of their sacs so I had to do it. Once I had them cleaned off she was more then happy to take over."

On Tuesday evening, Lori writes: "All the pups are doing well and have gained 1 ounce or more from birth weight. The average weight yesterday was 14 ounces. No real runty one but one very large female. Then there is the most perfect girl, her white mark on her chest is a perfect heart. Just too sweet for words. Pixie is doing a great job licking all those butts - yuk! No kisses for me.

Early Thursday morning, Lori posts: "I knew they had to come out sometime. Pixie had 10 puppies on Monday. Unfortunately today one of the males died. Still, nine puppies are more then enough for anyone. Pixie is an ideal mom. Pixie was very tired by the end of the day and so was I. Now the fun begins. Poor Tartan can't understand why he can't play with Pixie, but he is very happy to get the chance to run with Tweed. They are so cute together."

Here are pictures from the end of November 2001:

CONTINUE WITH THE SAGA OF PIXIE WALKER HERE