Heartbreaking, James, but nature teaches us lessons every day. Junie simply went on with the act of living -- nurturing the puppies she had. She's had her two litters -- we never breed our girls more than twice and often, not at all -- and given her difficulties in whelping, that's good. For us, it was a sobering reminder that life is very delicate and never to be taken for granted.

The Quintet is adorable! They got their tails banded last night and were not happy for about an hour. And then, they simply adapted to those bands and said "bring on the milk wagon". I'll do studies on each of the kids as they spend more time out of the incubator and in the whelping box. They are really fun. Just holding them makes your heart melt. Yes, they are worth it all.

Jim