Balsam Ridge Chinooks Ann Eakin & Syd Craig Stow, MA BalsamRidgeChinooks@comcast.net Pups - 1 July '04

Balsam Ridge Chinooks proudly announces the arrival of 8 new Chinook pups born on 30 June 2004. Balsam Ridge X Katherine and Cloudburst Kennebec River are the pleased Dam and Sire of this litter. Below are some photos of the newest members of the Balsam Ridge pack.

Katie was pretty large as her due date approached, but she remained her energetic, happy self throughout the pregnancy. Below are a few photos of Katie playing outside < 3 days prior to whelping.

Katie delivered her first pup just before 6 PM on Wednesday, 30 June 2004. Subsequent pups arrived without complication and the 8th pup was whelped just after 11:30 PM. Leslie, John and Jonathan Donais (Kenne's family) were present to offer valuable help with the deliveries.

Below are photos of Katie and all her pups shortly after they were all born. All the pups were vigorously eating and crawling around very quickly after they were born. With 8 pups, it can be quite a competition at the "dairy bar" (as Les puts it).

In keeping with our tradition of silly (and thankfully temporary!) names for the pups, the 4 girls and 4 boys in this litter are named in honor of the Brady Bunch. In order of their whelping times, here are new new pups - photos taken ~12 hours of age:

Carol

Mike

Marsha

Greg

Peter

Jan

Cindy

Bobby

Mom and pups are doing great. All the pups have already gained significant weight (ranging between 373-397 grams after 12 hrs) and their internal plumbing appears to be working well. Katie is very attentive for a first-time mom. The rest of the Balsam Ridge pack is very curious, hanging around just outside the baby gate watching Katie and her pups. Human members of the pack are tired but having a wonderful time cuddling with the pups.

We'll post more photos and updates over the next few weeks until the pups go to their new homes (a reality I don't even want to contemplate right now!).