The puppies are here! Anouk went into labor fast and hard at about 8:30 pm Sunday night. Her contractions came steady and quick, but only accomplished getting her first pup just part way out. We waited about three minutes before calling the Vet. Then we were on our way. She had an emergency c-section and the puppies were born at about 10:45 pm. We were on our way back home just after midnight.

The puppies are just beautiful and perfect, every single one of them. The biggest was 8 ounces, that would be the "Blonde" little boy all the way to the left. The smallest was Bella at 5 1/2 ounces, and she is curled up in the middle. She is the only girl! We have three little boys and one tiny girl. Bella is dappled like her mama, and one other little boy is totally dappled! We only have one complete red, just like his dad. And the blonde one? I don't know where that gene came from!

Anouk is doing well, but very confused and exhausted. As I type she is nursing Bella and her little blonde boy. Introducing all four at once was too much for her, so we started one at a time. While she is nursing, she shows no interest in the puppies at the moment. We hope that will change over the next couple of days. We had said we would not introduce Grif to his puppies for a little while. But while Anouk was trying to get as far away as possible, we brought Grif in (Boy, can he howl!) and he proceeded to lick each one as a mother would.

We are going to try and get some sleep now, Guy and I are taking shifts. The boys were absolutely excellent through the whole process. I'm worried about Anouk still (naturally), her incision is so long, and she has to heal and nurse. Poor girl!

More pictures and stories later...