Honey’s 9 Fatties (The Phatties)

It’s time to introduce Honey’s 9 precious puppies – lovingly called The Phatties (a name that becomes quite apparent in the photos below). At 4 weeks and a half, they look adorable, despite a few scrapes, for which we already have a little suspect in mind.

Honey has truly been an extraordinary mom, showing unwavering commitment to her little ones. For those who are not familiar with her story, it’s a poignant one (trigger alert: it’s a sad tale): Honey – hope and heartbreak – JDC Rescue.

Honey has bounced back remarkably well, bringing into the world her litter of 9 on the 10th of October. Initially, we were quite anxious as she didn’t have milk in those early hours, a deeply concerning issue for new mothers. However, we were relieved when she eventually produced a bountiful supply, thanks in part to our dedication in providing her with high-quality puppy food and specially formulated dog milk to stimulate lactation. There was a bit of trepidation, as we braced ourselves for the heartbreaking possibility of losing some puppies, a reality often faced with larger litters, especially from a mother like Honey, who had endured severe neglect and was in such a fragile state when she was found. Miraculously, she has managed to keep all of them safe, sound, and well-fed, demonstrating her incredible instincts by pairing them up during feeding times and maintaining an impeccably orderly routine for feeding, cleaning, and sleeping. We are genuinely moved by how organized and attentive she has been throughout those early months, showcasing her remarkable ability to juggle motherhood while nurturing each puppy’s unique needs, creating an environment that fosters their growth. With each puppy bringing their own special personality to the group, watching them interact and explore their surroundings fills our hearts with hope for their bright futures ahead.

And… here come THE PHATTIES:

(We will continue—a new post will feature the darker Phatties, who were a bit more elusive today and chose to indulge in their beauty sleep during the photo session)

Note: The Phatties will be ready for adoption and their homes when they will be 8 weeks of age, as we believe the first 8 weeks of a puppy’s life are best spent with their mom and littermates for proper early development. Honey, the mom, already has a loving home in South island waiting for her, and her family kindly let her care for the puppies during this important time.