From puppy delivery through socialization, Dog House Adoptions’ foster Lisa Drury records her experience caring for momma Bristol and her four pups. Entries are in reverse chronological order, so start at the end… and check back often. They grow up so quickly!
Related Articles
- See 5 Week Puppies Hop, Skip, Jump (& Fall Down) in the Grass (with video)
- See Week 4: Puppies See the World through Big Dog Eyes! (with video)
- See Puppies Howl and Bark to Celebrate Third Week of Life (with video)
- See Rescue Puppies: First Days (with 2 videos)
- Read Brake for Bristol: Show Her (+ Pups) the Love
- Read: Breeder Races to Stray Dog’s Aid, Delivers Pit Crew Pups
May 27
Pit Crew Update: Tony is settled into his new home and has a new name … Brody. So, in the end, Bristol had Brodie, Bree, Bentley,and Brody. This marks the end of the Pit Crew at Drury Lane, and the beginning of their exciting lives with their new families. I am so happy.
May 22
Pit Crew Update: If all goes well with the home visit, Tony will have a forever home on Thursday ! I found out tonight, he LOVES to garden. Well, play in the dirt, pull weeds, and pick up earth worms .. ewww. He ran with the big dogs tonight. He will sleep well. Good night, little puppy.
Lisa’s Gallery: Last Puppy Standing! Last Day photos of Bristol’s beautiful Tony Puppy.
Jasmine Rice
May 21
Pit Crew Update : Is it still a ‘crew’ when there is only one? Tony is 9 weeks old today and is a very special puppy. He weighed in at 18.5 pounds. Hefty little guy 🙂
May 20
Tony had a busy weekend visiting. He played with Maggie and Zoey today… went to a softball game and was a big hit! Then he had a playdate with his brother, Brodie. I am pleased to report that he is sleeping soundly. Yippee
May 18
Pit Crew Update : Maybe I should rename these udates “Tony On the GO” 🙂 Anyway…. noticed something interesting tonight. When Tony was in ‘stalk’ mode, checking out the kitty… his tail went straight up in the air. I tested on a LAB … their tails do NOT go straight up in the air. So, this adds more mystery to the ingredients of this wonderful ‘blended’ puppy. What other breeds can make a long tail perpendicular with the floor? hmmmmmm
May 15
Pit Crew Update : Tony, the only member of the Pit Crew still residing at Drury Lane Labradors has met ALL of the members of the pack.
1) Jake… he can walk right under Jake and can’t understand why this big doggie will give kisses, but won’t run around and play.
2) Abby… now, THIS one is FUN ! He chases her, wiggles around acting cute, and she is thrilled to play great-grandma Dog.
3) Tanner… he hasn’t played with this big doggie yet.
4) Lucy… not yet.
5 & 6) Minnie and Josie… Tony now has a few more grandma dogs ! They are happy to work on socialization.
7 &8) Calvin and Paulie… Wow those guys are big! Tony decided to dance around the yard but not participate in the daily soccer game.
They all like him and he is getting a wonderful experience…. and house training is going very well !!
May 14
Pit Crew Update : Puppies are doing well in their new homes. Tony was visiting for the weekend and did GREAT in his crate ! He comes back tonight to join the pack as I continue to foster him. He is a great little guy… very smart and lots of personalilty. Let me know if you would like to meet him and help socialize him.
Later: Tony Puppy is lying at my feet… hanging with Old Man, Jake. 🙂
May 12
Pit Crew Update: Brodie ( aka Kasey with new ie spelling), Bree (aka Danika), and Bentley (aka DJ) are all doing well in their new homes. Tony is with Shellie and Lauren for the weekend. He and Bristol are still in need of loving forever homes.
May 9
Pit Crew Update : First visit to Nassau Vet. Puppies are all very healthy ! All betweek 13 and 14 pounds !!!! Bristol went with Dawn back to Creekside Kennel. I miss her already.
May 8
Pit Crew Update: Kasey’s new name is Brody. Again…. great choice. It fits him perfectly.
May 7
Pit Crew Update : Danica’s new name is Bree. Very nice.
May 6
The Crew giving Kate O’Hara some puppy-lovin’ 🙂 Tony & Kate’s sneaker.
Another Pit Crew Update : Danica has a new home !! She will have a big sister named Lucy. Stay tuned for her new name…..
May 3
Pit Crew Update : Kasey has a new home….. 7 more days with his Mom, then off to his new family. Lucky, Lucky Puppy.
April 30
Pit Crew Update: 6 weeks old today. Messy age. I scrub and clean their box, put them in, and they make a game of shredding the newspapers! Good night, Monsters.
Like mother like daughter 🙂
April 24
Pit Crew Update: From Bristol… “Dear Lisa, I did some calculations. 4 puppies at 10 pounds each = 40 pounds of puppy. I know I am a first time Mom, but am I REALLY supposed to keep feeding them? Didn’t I read in What to expect when you are expecting something about weaning?? They are getting BOLD. Did I hear you say that they will be getting their own places in about 3 weeks? Love, Bristol”
April 21
Pit Crew 5 week Update: Well… they are all between 9 and 10 pounds. DJ is the largest, weighing in at 10.0 pounds. They are happily eating puppy food, drinking water like big doggies, and play fighting. Bristol has started to play with them. She taught Tony a lesson this afternoon !! They are all very special little puppies 🙂
April 15
Pit Crew Update: Hungry Hungry Hippos?? PUPPIES…. They had their first taste of yummy puppy food today and LOVED it. Now we’ll see how quickly they grow!
April 9
Bristol’s Pit Crew: 3 week update. They are getting soooo big. They all weigh over 5 1/2 pounds. DJ and Kasey are just shy of 6 pounds. At this rate, when they are 8 weeks, they will be bigger than their Mom 🙂 They don’t fit in the little dog bed anymore.. but they still try to pile in it. They are walking, playing, and escaping the box! I had to install the door ! Happy 3 week Birthday, my sweet puppies.
April 6
Pit Crew update: I love this age. They have found each other and are starting to play….in slow motion. I can’t wait for Kim Clune to do her video magic so you can see them in action. As they grow we may be able to determine their DNA.
April 3
Bristol’s Pit Crew : 2 Week Update. Well, the puppies continue to grow. DJ’s eyes are starting to open and Kasey is starting to toddle around. His legs are getting strong ! Bristol and I are enjoying the quiet time. We fully expect a lot of excitement starting in a week or so.
Photo: Kasey… eyes open and starting to look like a dog!
April 2
Bristol’s Pit Crew : 2 Week Update. Well, the puppies continue to grow. DJ’s eyes are starting to open and Kasey is starting to toddle around. His legs are getting strong ! Bristol and I are enjoying the quiet time. We fully expect a lot of excitement starting in a week or so.
March 28
Other than Krazy Lucy, Bristol is my first experience with a rescue dog. It is interesting to learn what she is all about. I’m cautious, because I don’t know her background. Her scarring says she had it rough just before she was rescued. So far I know this. She loves food, but doesn’t gobble it up. She will probably be good with other dogs, AFTER her pups are out of the picture. She chases kitties ! She loves to snuggle. She likes to lay across my feet. She love affection. She is very house trained and will woof and carry on to get my attention if she needs to go out. She has a gentle mouth when I hand her food. And… she likes oranges. We shared one tonight.
Added note from Lisa’s friend Diane: Within minutes of when I met her, I found out that she is a leaner. When I was near her she leaned on me and wanted gentle attention/affirmation. A people-dog.
Puppy Pit Crew photos posted!
March 26
Pit Crew Update: One week old today. They are all gaining weight steadily. Crawling around, and sleeping longer stretches, giving Bristol time to relax. Bristol is a good dog. We have learned that she chases kitties… seems ok with other dogs, and is a snugglebug. She loves to be loved, petted, and the company of humans 🙂
March 24
They have doubled in weight in 5 days! Snuggling in a new bed! Eyes and ears should open around 10-14 days… waddling comes after that. They crawl around now. 🙂
From Top to Bottom : DJ, Tony, Kasey, and Danica
March 22
I weighed the puppies…..each one has gained 10 ounces in 3 days! That is amazing! Bristol must be producing RACE fuel.
March 19
Right: DJ… 1 day old.
Left: Kasey, Danica, DJ, and Tony. Quiet, for the moment.
Fat little bellies, that’s why !!
March 20
OK, Hard to get pics because when Bristol gets up to eat or drink, I try to snap a few… and they start yelling for her and she rushes back and covers them up! They are a noisy bunch. Hope to post photos soon. Stay tuned. OH, and they all had birth weights over 1 pound ! 1lb 2 oz, 1lb 2.5 oz, 1lb 3 oz, and 1lb 4oz ! Bigger than my lab pups , and Bristol is smaller than my lab girls 🙂
Lisa: DHA named mom Bristol after Bristol Speedway in Tennessee, so I named the puppies after Nascar drivers 🙂
Michael: Nascar pups don’t STOP moving unless they crash… zzzzzz….
Bristol has a family….. three boys and a girl. Kasey, Danica, DJ (Dale Jr.) and Tony.
March 19
It’s a BOY…
It’s a GIRL
It’s a BOY !
It’s a BOY !!
Mom and Puppies are resting comfortably. Thanks, Kate O’Hara for the support and assistance!!!
Note from Meg: Lisa, you are a good person!! Bristol is so lucky to have you! If you need help let me know! Would love to help socialize them… My heart aches when I look at her face! She is in a good place.
March 18
We are preparing the whelping box and excited for Bristol’s arrival…. and the arrival of her puppies!! I’ll post photos as soon as the little ones arrive!!!
Note: Read “Brake for Bristol: Show Her (+ Pups) the Love” for Bristol’s story.
Oh Kim! They are all adorable! I’m so in love with Bristol. She seems like one of the nicest dogs. I hope she gets adopted once the pups are weaned. She really is sweet (so is her foster mom!).
Loved the video.
Mel, I’m absolutely with ya! Bristol is such a wonderful girl. She loves to be with people and wants to be part of a family. I just love when Lisa talks about the two of them sharing the orange together. What a precious moment. And Bristol is so happy regardless of whatever happened to her. Her tail is always wagging. Her wounds are nearly grown over with healthy fur again, too. Sweet, forgiving baby. She deserves as much love as she gives.