34. THE FOXHOUND 



rially as parturition approaches, and the quiet- 

 est, gentlest of them may become restless, nerv- 

 ous, and irritable. After seeing that each 

 puppy has suckled once, do not intrude upon 

 her. Let her alone; she understands the ne- 

 cessities of the situation much better than you. 

 Feed soft foods for a few days, but do not 

 worry about the amount she eats; nature has 

 attended to that, but always have plenty of 

 cool, clean water within easy reach. Later on 

 the enormous drain on her vitality can be met 

 with generous and tempting food. If a pup 

 should die, or be crushed, remove the body at 

 the first opportunity, as the inclination and in- 

 stinct to eat it may lead to eating of all. This 

 also frequently happens when they are moved 

 from place to place or disturbed or interfered 

 with. 



A bitch in good condition, getting plenty of 

 food and exercise, can raise eight puppies, 

 though I had a bitch raise fifteen of her own 

 whelping. If a foster mother is considered 

 desirable, make the change gradually, one or 

 two at a time, removing the foster mother's 

 pups every time you add a strange one and rub 

 some of the foster mother's milk over added 

 pups. Their eyes will open in nine days, and 

 when they are three or four weeks old they 



