Pup Update! Fuzzies!

Well, I read on a site that pups should be handled early on if you want them tame. (That tame word always makes me giggle - like they are visceral beasts, LOL) Basically, tame means they WANT to be held or at least will let you hold them - unlike the 4 adults we have here that run when you so much as add food to the cage.

So, since they are older we decided now was the time to start. (The site said if mom is nervous wait til 3-5 days old... and since she won't let you touch her I'd put her in that category.)

I lifted the igloo and under the toilet tissue were her beautiful babies. Gideon FINALLY got to see the pups, and so did Clint. They are now with a small layer of fur on them and they appear to be doing well and growing.

I gently pet each just to get my scent on them, took a couple videos and a couple photos and left mom and the pups alone.

She didn't seem stressed, and she did walk away from them for a while too, so I think she knows we don't want to harm them.

So, how many pups are there? Well, I counted at least 10 and I have a feeling it's more like 11-13 in the nest.

As you can see they are still fairly pink looking due to the thin fur, and they are still blind, but they are growing and squeaking daily and appear healthy. Mom's doing a great job taking care of them. :)

Looks like 11 pups in this shot. :)

Since I'm not positive on the count of the pups I'll hold off on announcing the winners of the pup contest until I'm sure how many she had.