Babies are probably the cutest thing in the world, and newborn puppies have the amazing power of instantly melt our hearts out of tenderness in a second, just like mine did recently.
A couple days ago I photographed newborn puppies. The idea was to take photos in an artistic and beautiful way like we’ve seen with human babies and the results were just as cute! I don’t even know how I managed to focus when I was so enchanted by them. Their sleepy tiny faces were irresistibly adorable, their chubby bellies, their pink paws… Everything about the puppies was enormously sweet! It was my first time taking photos of puppies that were just about three weeks old, but the experience once again, was incredible. It was a delicate work that charged me with an incredible amount of love.
I couldn’t help but remember when I got Phoebe, well actually she picked us! I was looking for a baby boy and there were Phoebe and her brother, both terribly adorable but the second she saw us she came to us and started to play while her brother barely looked at us. My husband was convinced that Phoebe was meant to be with us because she showed an instantaneous love that won us over. I couldn’t be more happy and thankful that she picked us, I don’t know how my life would be without her. She was healthy and well taken care of, which is why despite I am a fervent rescue advocate, I’m also pro responsible breeders, those who really take care of the moms and their little ones and want to provide them a caring forever home.
If you happen to have new puppies soon, or planning to adopt one is really helpful to know a couple things about taking care of them if this is your first time.
To know more about how to take care of them, I talked with Sea to Sky French Bulldogs. They explained that from the moment the pups are born they are monitored watching for any change, since they are very vulnerable until vaccinated. During the first two weeks the temperature is set between 29°C and 32°C maintained by a heating lamp and pad. They also feed the puppies every 1.5 hours, simulating them before and after every feed.
At Sea to Sky French Bulldogs moms and pups are supervised to avoid any accident. Moms are also watched 24/7 assuring they have a lot of water and food to produce milk. By the third week, they start the weening process with royal canine mousse and goat milk 3 times a day and nurse every 4 to 6 hours. By the fourth week they’re completely off mom and eating soft food and after another week and a half they start eating starter kibbles. When puppies are 8 weeks old they are vaccinated with their first set of shots, micro chipped, dewormed and health checked. It is important that new forever parents make sure they get the second and third set of shots and that they do all the research necessary to understand how to take care of the new family member.
Also, it’s very important to start training and socialization early. If you are interested into start training a new pup, is good to know they have the ability to learn obedience cues at around 7 to 8 weeks of age and actually there are training classes for puppies from 10 weeks to 5 months old. This introductory class teaches you how to communicate with your new family member and basic skills. The class also address problem-solving socialization and help them build confidence.
Capturing their sweet vulnerability was a beautiful experience and I’ll be more than happy to repeat it with you if you want to hold forever that amazing moment in their lives.
