MBIS GC Kontoki’s A Bend in the Road, “Benson”, #WS21994201
Benson’s Pedigree
Kayta Kayta had her last litter and it was a beauty. Now, she is living the life of a queen in her new Texas home and is very well and happy. This picture will be moved to the “Here & There page” @ the next update.
AKC CKC CH Snowborn’s Kayta, #WS26814702
Kayta’s Pedigree
Here’s a pic of one of pups from the sonogram. We knew early on that there were at least 2. There was a fleeting image of a third.
Heartbeats were heard and were strong.
The x-ray was done a week before the supposed due date. The fleeting glance we saw in the sonogram turned out to be true, 3 pups. Can you see them? Look for skulls and attached spines.
Here they are. Were you right?
Kayta decided to throw all of us a ringer, having pups based on the first breeding and not the second. Lesson learned is be prepared. Siberians do things on their own time schedule- not yours! First baby out is a grey boy weighing 1# 1/2 oz.
2nd pup followed quickly was the black girl who weighed exactly the same as the first boy. Then some problems arose. Kayta ended up needing a C-section. But, all is well that ended well. The last puppy is a liver red boy weighing 1# 2 oz.
It was a long night for Kayta and for us. She was happy to be home with her puppies for some good rest.
But after some sleep and food, she was her usual happy self and wonderful momma.
Amarok’s Port in the Storm, birth weight 1# 1/2 oz.
Amarok’s Inner Sanctum, birth weight 1# 1/2 oz.
Amarok’s Arctic Safe Haven, birth weight 1# 2 oz.
Everyone is growing so fast. The first week goes by in a heartbeat! Nothing but sleeping (with lots of dreaming activity) and nursing. Pups are scooting from one side of the whelping box to the other.
Everyone gets held on their back daily, sometimes multiple times and by many close friends. This is a position some need to learn to love, so I start early. They also get light foot and ear massages.
The acceptance of being on their back is remarkable just in the few days I have done it. The pups quiet down quicker and seem to know they get a nice tummy rub, which they truly cherish!
Noses are beginning to change to their adult color and the pinky spot right above their eyes are beginning to fill in with hair.
The black gal and the grey boy’s noses are getting black and the red boy’s is starting to turn a dark liver color.
The next four show progression of the nose leading the way to mom.
Wobbly legs always help them along.
They’ve started walking at about 1 week and get better and better.
Almost made it to his goal and it’s within his grasp now.
Pups were a week old on Superbowl Sunday. Here’s Port in the Storm’s week old pic. 2# 1/2 oz.
All the pups are very settled. They are a quiet litter at this point.
Here’s Safe Haven’s week old pic. 1# 15 oz.
Here, he decided to think that the Superbowl pup was either something he should investigate.
Inner Sanctum isn’t too far behind the guys at 1 week…1# 12 1/2 oz.
Weight wise everyone is gaining at the same rate…no runts here.
I love this photo, as it shows how early the pups scent. Here, Port in the Storm looks for mom.
Everybody’s moving around all over the place!
Mom keeps a close eye on them but leaves for longer and longer periods of time now.
Some sisterly and brotherly cuddling is going on here.
Socialization has started in earnest now. We start a few minutes with different people daily.
The pups get used to different people, different ways of being held and people’s different smells.
Mom stays close and watches, but knows these friends are “BJ approved” and that makes her feel comfortable.
The pups are 2 weeks old today. Here is Port in the Storm He weighs 3# 3 oz. today (2/9/14)
Just a full body shot of him. Everyone walks alot and sleeps hard. All the pups are very active sleepers. You can just see everything getting connected in these pups!
Inner Sanctum greeted me with open eyes this morning! She is the first. Weight 3# 2 oz. at 2 weeks.
Eye color is hard to tell sometimes on day 1. Both folks have brown eyes, mom’s are deep brown and dad’s– med. brown, but who knows what the genes have in mind?
Safe Haven is no slouch either. He continues to be the leader on the scale at 3# 5 1/2 oz.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but I expect even to be greeted by more open eyes tomorrow. A great way to start the day!
Well, the eyes have it, or so the saying goes. Everyone’s eyes opened w/in a day of Inner Sanctum’s. So, here is @ pup’s eye photo. Here’s Port in the Storm.
Inner Sanctum, as well as both brother’s have now cleared up. They are abit murky for a day or two. All 3 are blue @ this point, but may change.
Safe Haven’s and his brother have blues that are darker and Inner Sanctum is a little lighter, at this stage.
I start trimming nails at 2 weeks and use a new, sharp human nail clipper. I just get the tip. Since the pups are used to being on their backs and having their paws handled, it is not a difficult task. The pups had their front dew claws removed at 3 days.
And, no, he’s not yelling; just yawning. I must be boring company! Front and back paws are done. It’s easier on mom, too! They are being very voracious ‘suckers’!
Every pup finishes the nail trim with a nice belly rub. Now, who wouldn’t love that?
Sleeping takes up the lion’s share of the day, but this week starts an exciting phase with the pups. I love this week! I call it a week of firsts! Their first FIRST was, of course, their nail trim.
FIRST opening of eyes, which is SO exciting! FIRST true knowledge of ‘others’ and interacting with them.
FIRST teeth~they are starting to come to the surface. Soon they will break through and teething will begin. FIRST pee unaided by mom occurred as well. That means a real increase in my washer workout!
FIRST playing. The first game is “I’ve got your nose!”
FIRST bark! and FIRST ‘yip’ of pain when it hurts.
Lesson learned is to let go when ‘yips’ are heard. Just like humans, play is educational. And FIRST spilling of mom’s water bucket! Mom’s water bucket has now been moved to just outside the whelping box.
Triple playtime lasted a few minutes and went from one side of the whelping box to the other. When everyone was tired, it was so obvious and naptime fell upon the trio. Work hard and play hard appears to be the motto here.
The next first for these pups is FIRST training. I start with a little recall. Sitting on the floor, we make a diamond with our legs and entice with voice, face and hand so the pups go back and forth a few times.
When they reach us, they are rewarded with a click from the clicker and huge hugs and loads of loves. Then, sent on their way back to the other friend.
I will work on many different floorings: carpet, linoleum, plywood, etc. I want these pups to feel comfortable on everything. So, the pups had their FIRST time on linoleum and their FIRST clicker exposure. Neither will be their last!
The gang not only sleeps and eats, they also just ‘hang around’.
The next FIRST this week was the first howl and boy, was it a doozy! Loud and long. He was truly trying to tell me something; not sure what, but something pretty important to him!
This Valentine’s weekend the pups turned 3 weeks. It is so hard to believe how far they have come in such a short time. They have had so many ‘firsts’. Port in the Storm has another first, too. He was the one to do the FIRST play growl yesterday. Weight 4# 1 1/2 oz.
Inner Sanctum motors. She is a busy girl; first up and last to settle down. Everyone’s individual personality is starting to shine through. So nice to see~ Weight is 4# 1/2 oz. today.
Here is Safe Haven today and he weighed in at 4# 2 1/2 oz. He is still the biggest of the 3 pups, but not by much!
Now, this photo and the next photo were taken at the same time. I call it the tale of 2 pillows…
Which would YOU prefer?
More and more toys are added and it is like an adventure in the whelping box! Inner Sanctum is checking out the gingerbread stuffie, Safe Haven sees about the giraffe and Port in the Storm is getting a good sniff of the elk horn.
All the pups are still written about using their AKC names, no call names yet. That’s to be decided by owners.
There is alot of single play with toys and group play among themselves. Everybody is doing growling now while playing. Teeth are breaking the gum line, so chewing on stuffies is just the right ticket!
That’s all for now. When playtime is over, it IS over.
Everyone’s teeth are through the gumline at just abit over 3 weeks. Nursing is becoming more painful for Kayta. She starts the slow process of weaning by nursing for shorter and shorter periods of time. Gruel will start at 4 weeks.
Another ‘first’, the FIRST drink of water. Siberians are known for their curiosity. This litter is no different. They like to hang back a bit and check things out. Then go explore. Typical Siberian behavior~
MMM, pretty good. Once every pup has had a drink with a little of my assistance, the bowl will sit in the corner and they can get it by themselves. I expect loads of spills and refills. It’s just part of the process at this age.
4 weeks has sped by and ears are just beginning to come up. Sometimes the pups remind me of the old TV show “The Flying Nun”. See, I’m showing my age! Regardless, I see ears at different ages and stages~ up in the AM, down when tired, 1 up and 1 down. But, they will all be up soon. Who will be first? Port in the Storm’s weight today is 5# 1 1/2 oz.
It seems to me that at 4 weeks, all Siberian pups go through a metamorphosis…even greater than they have gone through since they were born. They change from cute little pups into Little Dickens! So, their new friend this week is “Little Dickens”. Inner Sanctum’s weight today is 4# 15 1/2 oz.
All the pups play fight alot, check out every single part of eachothers bodies, chew on all the toys, howl, growl, bark, yip, … busy learning how to be top dog and lower in the ranks, too. Safe Haven’s weight today is 5# 2 oz.
Another ‘first’! FIRST looking outside the box…but who was the first with this milestone? I don’t know. I think it’s a 3 way tie!
We still work on this activity whenever friends stop by. As you can see by the motion of Haven, there is no fear of the linoleum now. Pups are being raised with clicker training.
Here are some still shots from the second day with the Adventure Box. The pups are even more ‘adventurous’; loving all the hanging things and going in and out.
Even more checking out of the cups to see how far they will swing.
There is single play and double play. This is kind of like “Go in and out the windows”, except using cups.
~And another ‘first’—The FIRST jailbreak! Even mom seems surprised that Haven made it over the lower gate. Guess both gates will be up all the time now. See the other two watching and learning how to do it!
It seems like everyday there’s another ‘first’. Today, it their FIRST food. This photo is the before photo. Mom has been put onto the same food that the pups will be eating, so it should be an easy transition. The gruel is about 60% warm water and 40% pulverized food.
This is the midway photo. Most of the water is gone and you can see bellies filling up.
Last photo~ not much left. It will be licked clean. Mom comes in just to be sure the pups didn’t leave any. She cleans up their faces and anything else that got messy. The whole meal took <1 min. Clean up by me took longer. Everyone's sleeping now.
The pups are 5 weeks old already and learning many new things. Clicker training is in full swing now, for coming to me; showing they want to be picked up and for peeing and pooing—and any other positive behavior I see them do! They’re getting more and more time on the grooming table and learning to ‘stand’. Weight today is 5# 12 1/2 oz.
Personalities are really starting to come out now as @ pups comes into their own. She may be a gal, but she doesn’t take any guff from her brothers, that is for sure! Her weight today is 5# 13 1/2 oz.
The ‘quiet’ Adventure Box has been changed into the ‘noisy’ Adventure Box. Everyone will be in the new box this afternoon. Weight today is 5# 15 1/2 oz. He remains the heaviest of the 3 pups.
The next 6 pics are items that were changed out to make the Avidog Adventure Box noisy. First is a bell…small and quieter.
These bells are louder than the first and have a different tone.
These bells are brass and have a totally different tone and loudness.
These chains (there are 2 in the box) have been there since the beginning. I added key ring circles that the pups can grab. They also ‘clink’.
There are 6 of these aluminum pans. When I got these, they also came with plastic lids. I stocked them away for use with another litter. They would be good for the quiet Adventure Box.
Here are some tin cans that were laying around. Use different shapes and make sure they touch and make abit of noise. The hardest part is getting those underside knots in the right places! I’ve untied a many in this journey.
The K Babies will be 6 weeks and that means time for new “digs”! They get an expanded house with an exterior playroom and new bathroom. Yes, toilet training has begun!
Everyone loves playing on the tunnels. They crinkle noisely. This one is shaped like a ‘Y’, and I have another straight tunnel for later, when their home expands even more.
There’s a peek-a-boo hole in the top. Kayta’s looking for one of her babes….
Here she is!
6 weeks has certainly flown by. The pups are acting more like ‘dogs’ every day. Here is Port in the Storm . He weighs in at 7# 15 oz. now.
Inner Sanctum is becoming a parti-eye. Her right eye is starting to brown out at the bottom. Her left eye and upper right are still bright blue, however. Her weight today is 7# 7 1/2 oz. today. Vaccinations within a day or so and then out into the big wide world!
Polar Safe Haven has been leader, weight wise, for a long time. But now, his lead is lengthening. He weighs 8# 3 oz. today.
Well, another first! FIRST pup to sit for something he wants. I’ve used the clicker since they were babes and it’s paid off with Haven so far. As you can see, I clicked as soon as his bum hit the floor.
Then, in came the water. I didn’t pay any attention to the other pups. It didn’t matter that they didn’t sit. It will be interesting to see how fast the others pick it up from him.
Now, the daily trips can start in the car while the vaccinations take hold. Shorter trips for the first few days with mom along, then longer trips w/o mom. This makes me remember a neat song…”Take me riding in the car, car–BBBRRRR, BBBRRRR”, sung by Woody Guthrie. Now, that will be in my head the rest of the day~
The pups get used to many everyday things…here, it’s the vacuum. They take it in stride and show their normal curiosity and not fear. The vacuum is on and I was just finishing up getting some of the shavings that came out of the litter area that is set up.
Another first! FIRST exposure to another breed. We went to a good friends home and met her Goldens. The pups were afraid, truly, but it only lasted about a minute or two. They were most afraid with all the barking, as they aren’t exposed to much of that at my place. They hear it, just not that much. But they settled in and had a ball playing and exploring all the new things. Here, Safe Haven is getting eyeball to eyeball with Song.
7 weeks is here and that means collars! Port in the Storm gets the red one. Everyone is getting time on the grooming table daily. They are getting used to the brush and also just learning the word ‘stand’. Now THAT’S a big order! Storm’s weight is 9# 7 1/2 oz.
Sanctum has the blue collar, as it matches her eyes. Has to be color coordinated, you know! Pups are on straight dry kibble now and doing just fine with it. They eat 3X day and probably wish it was more. All pups sit for things they desire and are clicker trained. They are JUST beginning to get tiny treats after clicks. Sanctum’s weight is 8# 7 1/2 oz.
Haven’s collar is black.
Collars are only for the grooming table at this point. Within a few days, they’ll be outside and then they will be on, too. Leashes will be introduced at that time. Holy Cow! Everyday, something new~Safe Haven’s weight is 9# 12 1/2 oz.
The pups are doing great with their clicker training. At this point, they sit for everything. In this house, NILIF. I just started giving them one piece of their kibble as a reinforcer. Before that it was hugs, being picked up and loads of verbal praise.
Here is just a pic of them sitting for their water.
Pups can be well trained in one situation and will look at you dumb founded when you ask them to do the same thing in another situation. So…., you need to retrain in several situations. So, the adventure box is a great place to retrain.
Usually, the retraining comes along quickly, as it did here. But, don’t skip it! Practice makes perfect!
Time to be outside and they loved it! Play, Run, Jump and Explore. They started with mom, but quickly went off on their own. Tomorrow, first time on the leash~
A fresh coating of snow met the pups on this very brisk early morning. So, their time outside wasn’t quite as long, but still fun packed. Then, inside for a snack, warm up and nap. Reminds me of my own childhood! Here, Safe Haven poses for the camera~
I think I will call these 8 week photos the ‘Sports Illustrated of the Amarok 3’! They have discovered the outdoors and instinct has taken over…just what nature intended for the Siberian.
Running, jumping, playing, muzzles in the snow, rolling, chasing snow puffs, crunching ice and just plain standing in it. I am in awe of their discovery.
Port in the Storm is just struttin’ his stuff. I don’t think he knows he has stuff to strut yet, but he’s practicing! Weight today is 11# 12 oz.
Inner Sanctum is still the busy gal, but is taking on more and more of her mom’s qualities. She is 10# 7 1/2 oz. today.
Safe Haven continues to be a photog and camera hog. He just can not take a bad picture. Reminds me of his Uncle Kaho! He is 11# 11 oz. today.
The pups still use the Avidog Adventure Box, but have found a new trick. This AM, they found that if they pull the knot on top of the upper PVC pipe, the dangling articles come up and bang down when they let it go. WHAT FUN! Here’s Haven having a go at it!
Everyone is continuing their socialization and today they met Nala, a wonderful Golden neighbor. Haven met her up close first….What a brave, brave boy!
But, it didn’t take long for everyone else to come and introduce themselves…nose to butt. All had special dog food treats for being on such good behavior!
My guys even got to know her really well and walked on her back…
….and even gave her a husky hug! It was a fun day!
Leash work has begun. Pups are accepting it well. Keep training sessions short and sweet and always end on a positive note.
In the beginning, they pull against the leash. I just stop and wait. They realize the collar and leash win and we carry on with our short first walks up and down the driveway.
The start of crating begins with them eating meals in their crates. There is a whole science to teaching pups to love their crates. Mine do.
The pups took their longest ride the other day and went down to Pittsburgh! That is a long way for them to go but they did fabulous. There was no vomiting or pooing in the car either way and only a few pee times. They slept almost the entire trip down. On the way back, they were awake, but resting. Mom, the well seasoned traveler, was a great role model as to how to be good in the car on long trips. I had everything I needed for emergency cleanups, but didn’t need anything from my emergency response kit. All came home, hungry and overtired, but fine! All the short pre-trips really do pay off!
9 weeks has flown by and we are lucky that a new heavy coat of snow is on the ground. Port in the Storm is getting darker and getting that beautiful grey color of his dad. I nicknamed him LBJ…Little Benson Junior as he is so much like his dad, Benson. Weight today is 14# on the nose.
Sanctum’s weight today is 12# 5 1/2 oz. and growing great, but is smaller boned than the boys. She’ll be built like her mom.
Even though there is about 8″ of snow on the ground, the temperature is almost 40 today, so the Siberians have the best of both worlds. It’s a great day outside for the puppies. Unfortunately, the warm up will continue and that means….
mud! The pups have already been exposed to eating dirt and playing in mud. It is part of life when you live in areas with 4 seasons. They will all acclimate. Siberians are very forgiving and adjust to just about anything, if it is handled in the correct way. Haven’s on break here after a long play session. Haven’s weight is 13# 14 1/2 oz. for his 9 week birthday.
Pups…post vet appointment. They had a ball! Everyone got extra socialization time, met the cat, got checked faces to fannies and got their vaccinations and wormed. So, it was a busy time!
Another day, another trip in the car. Today, we went to see Mickie for another evaluation. She went over all 3 of us with a fine tooth comb and thought we were all spiffy! Truly, we did great, and she was quite pleased!
Now, BJ knows this is a “busy picture”, but she hopes you can see all of us are laid out snoozing. Stage 2 is complete! Stage 1 was having us eat separately in our crates. Then, the hard part as we wanted to get right out; which BJ did for a while. But, the ‘while’ stopped today. After quite a time of hooping and a hollering, we all gave up and slept. When we wake up, BJ will carry us to toilet and we can play! Stage 2 complete–for today~
I find that Fisher Price kids toys make fabulous puppy play apparatus! Keep on the look-out at garage sales for cheap deals. Port in the Storm has left for his new adventure and his new and wonderful family. He’s doing great and we all know he will be just fine!
In this pic, you can just see the gal climbing the stairs, red boy being King of the play set and Little Benson Jr. doing the slide. Many times they climb up the slide, if they are too lazy for the stairs! This is the last pic of Port in the Storm with his brother and sister, getting ready for take off!
The gang learns early that a whole world still exists under the snow and they want to find out about it!
These head shots will be the last of this gallery. I will be putting up a new general photo gallery with all the Siberians so you can follow along, so don’t dispair! Give me a week or two, though. Lots to chat about, so let’s get to it. For now, I’ve decided these two will be staying here and I have done a switcheroo with their names. This guy’s registered name is going down as Amarok’s Inner Sanctum and his call name is “Ash”, short for Ashram, which is a synonym for sanctum.
Her registered name is Amarok’s Polar Safe Haven. Her call name is Haven. New crates just arrived today, and a new set up will be happening tomorrow. Life with Siberians goes on…
