Chaos, Caffeine, and Tiny Toes: Welcoming Our Newest Litter

This past week, my world got a little louder, a lot messier, and infinitely more precious.

The puppies are here.

After months of planning, researching, prepping, scrubbing, second-guessing, nesting (both human and dog), and re-checking supply lists at 3 a.m., we welcomed our newest litter into the world. And as I sit here typing this with puffy eyes, one hand on a snoozing pup and the other clutching my third cup of some random caffeinated beverage, I can honestly say: it’s been the most exhausting, nerve-wracking, beautiful thing I’ve ever done.

Whelping is not for the faint of heart. It’s equal parts science, intuition, and pure madness. There were charts and weights, towels and heating pads, emergency numbers taped to every wall, and the constant low-level panic of “Is that normal? Should I be concerned? Google says it might be fatal. Great.”

The birth itself was a rollercoaster of adrenaline and emotion. I cried. I paced. I may have threatened to bail.... But Mama dog did what generations before her have done—strong, and determined, and maybe a little shocked that her "frolic" with Malcolm ended up in a whelping box. (Choices...am I right?)

But once the puppies arrived—tiny, wiggly, perfect—it all shifted. The world quieted. Even in the middle of the mess (and boy was it messy), the moment felt like magic.

Of course, the days since have been anything but quiet. We’re operating in two-hour cycles of nursing, cleaning, supplementing, weighing, wiping butts, and wondering if we’ll ever sleep again. There are moments of complete chaos (appropriate, since our dam is named Chaos), like when someone pees on the scale mid-weigh-in or we can’t remember which pup just nursed and who just fell asleep with a nipple in their mouth like a milk-drunk sock puppet.

But through the exhaustion and worry, I keep thinking: this is worth it.

Every tiny squeak, every curled-up cuddle pile, every moment I see their little paws stretch in sleep—reminds me why I do this. It’s not just about puppies. It’s about the bond between a dam and her litter. It’s about resilience, care, and a deep-rooted passion that keeps me going even when I haven't washed my hair in days.

This litter has already taught me so much—about patience, about trust, and about the kind of love that shows up every two hours in the middle of the night, bleary-eyed and barefoot, just to make sure everyone is warm and fed.

Meet the "Jaws" litter...they were born during Shark Week. I had no choice! Indianapolis, Martin, Chrissie, Orca, Amity, Jaws, Ellen, Quint, Brody, and Hooper.

So welcome to the world, little ones. You are so wanted. So cherished. So worth it.