Cukay, Chikoy and Parenthood

Cukay is an amazing dog-mom. Her maternal instincts are strong. She's a delight!

On our first night home, I worried that she would kill her pups or cause them harm in whatever way. She is, after all, at 9 months old, a mere puppy herself. So I held vigil over them on that night. Lo and behold! She hovered over them, she licked them and nudged them, it seemed to me, as if she wanted to make sure they didn't forget to breathe. She never left them for long except the few times when she needed to pee. I gave her water and fed her at the crib to sustain her strength. Breastfeeding a baby is very taxing to the mom so what more to feed 4? Remember that she delivered via CS just that afternoon! Her 7 nipples are rich with milk and the puppies happily suckle away regularly. It has only been 48 hours but they look like they've already gained a few ounces.

She tried to transfer her babies to the first floor on Saturday morning. She started to come down the stairs with one of them in her maw. It's a good thing that Yaya saw her and ran to catch them. We moved them from the 2nd floor sala to the first floor. It seemed to make her feel better. She now roams the house freely and even goes to their toy basket to sniff at their playthings once in a while but she stays alert for her babies' cries and runs to the crib at the softest whimper. I'm glad that she frequently catnaps (or dognaps???) and often stretches her legs.


Chikoy is also an amazing dog-dad! He has been in perfect behavior since the babies came home. He doesn't bug Cukay so they don't fight. What's so cute is how he guards the brood. When Cukay is away from the crib, he stands beside it and peers at the babies. When the doorbell rings, he runs to the crib as if ready to defend it should he need to! He's the man of the doghouse, for sure!