Every litter is different, and every mother is different.

I have used colostrum with many of my dogs over the years, but I do not think I have ever gone through as much colostrum with a nursing mother as I have with Chianti. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I had it on hand.

These puppies are growing at an astonishing rate. Their demands are tremendous, and despite eating well, there were moments when it seemed as though Chianti could not replenish herself quickly enough to keep pace with what she was giving away.

One thing I have learned over the years is to pay attention when my dogs tell me something. They do not use words, but they communicate nonetheless.

Looking back, I am especially grateful for the local farmers who make it possible for me to keep a steady supply of high-quality colostrum on hand. This litter certainly put that supply to the test.

Whenever I offered Chianti colostrum, she eagerly consumed every bit of it. Last weekend, I noticed a slight twitch in one of her back legs. Nursing mothers can sometimes find themselves trying to support rapidly growing puppies while simultaneously rebuilding their own reserves. I added colostrum, goat milk, and some chlorella, and within a couple of hours she was back to normal.

Watching Chianti pour so much of herself into these puppies has been a reminder that motherhood is often an act of continual giving. We spend so much time focusing on the puppies that it can be easy to forget how much a nursing mother is sacrificing every day to sustain them. Supporting her is just as important as supporting the litter.

Food certainly has its place, but food takes time to digest, absorb, and utilize. Sometimes what is needed is nutritional support that is readily available to the body, and colostrum has repeatedly proven itself to be one of the most valuable tools in my whelping room.

Moments like these remind me that breeding is not simply about producing puppies. It is about listening, observing, adjusting, and working in partnership with the dogs entrusted to our care.

Interestingly, while I have been in awe of what colostrum has done for Chianti, I have also been busy finishing the largest goat milk kefir order I have ever produced. I had never fermented such large quantities before, and at one point I found myself reaching out to neighboring farmers for additional kefir grains. The beautiful thing about kefir is that diversity matters, and the more robust the culture, the better the final product.

In many ways, the experience reminded me of a lesson that extends far beyond the whelping box. Good outcomes are rarely the result of a single ingredient or a single decision. More often, they are built through preparation, observation, quality nutrition, and a willingness to respond when something needs attention.

What could have felt overwhelming became another reminder that we are rarely meant to do everything alone. Good dogs, good livestock, good neighbors, and good friends all have a way of showing up when needed.

The kefir order is complete. Chianti is thriving. The puppies continue to grow.

Some seasons leave you exhausted. Others leave you grateful.

This one has managed to do both.

God is good. 🙌

🐩🤍🍼🐐