Day 20: Science is Cool (updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 24, 2025

As I mentioned in the litter announcement video, this is an intentionally dual-sired litter and we will use DNA to establish paternity.

The Gems’ DNA samples arrived at the lab last week, and I hope we will have results by mid-July 🍀

AKC DNA Analysis generates results for 201 markers in the form of letters. For each marker, a dog has two letters — one from their mom and one from their dad. Here is what it looks like in the report.

AKC will do the analysis of paternity for $50 and I will have that done to validate results, but this is not actually rocket science.

I made a spreadsheet to do the paternity analysis. I eliminated all DNA markers in which the potential sires are the same. If they are both AA, for example, and Capella is TT, it tells us nothing if the puppy is AT since the A could have come from either sire.

The pink highlighted are the markers that went into the spreadsheet because the two potential dads have different results for those markers.

And here is a snippet from the spreadsheet.

For DNA Marker #1, Capella will always contribute one of her C’s. The same is true for Ash — he can only contribute C. But Deuce can only contribute an A and this means Marker #1 will tell the story, right?

If the puppy is CC, Ash has to be the dad. If the puppy is AC, Deuce must be the dad.

Marker #2 is not as definitive. If the puppy is AA, that will mean Capella contributed her A but we cannot know which potential sire contributed the other one. If the puppy is AG, we do not know if the G came from Capella or Ash. But if the puppy is GG then we can rule out Deuce as the sire because he doesn’t have a G to contribute.

I think it is all so very interesting!

And he’s out…

Happy Tuesday 🩷💙💙💙

(later)

It is contagious — this is Sapphire.

This is a photo series of play between Star Garnet and Topaz.

😂

I find it fascinating how they are now using their front paws in such intentional ways — this is Topaz and Jasper.

And today was the Big Day!

⭐️🙄

Day 19 (updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 23, 2025

With eyes and ears open for business — and walking getting more skilled by the hour, it seems — the babies are beginning to interact in their environment with intention.

This apple toy, which has been through multiple litters, is a great example.

When a puppy even slightly bumps it, the apple makes a pleasant and brief musical noise. The puppies look interested, and then they circle it, bumping it intentionally to generate the noise. They do this for a minute or two, and then move on.

There is lots of licking and mouthing of toys — this is Star Garnet.

They are awake more and more each day but still spend the overwhelming majority of their time sleeping. This is Sapphire and Jasper.

Does this look comfortable?!

Happy Monday 🩷💙💙💙

(Later)

I thought for sure we would have an escapee today. Jasper gave it a good shot.

Star Garnet was so close.

After seeing how close, I put down a folded fleece so that the landing will be soft when someone finally does make the leap.

Once they start escaping, the door will have to be closed but that makes it harder for Capella to go in and out so I am delaying it as long as possible.

It was another day of eat/sleep (95%), playing (2%), and getting good at walking (3%) — this is Topaz.

I wondered if they might like some water to drink. Jasper had other ideas about what to do with the water.

HOW is this comfortable?!

Topaz with Sapphire. You can tell it is Sapphire because he is the only one that doesn’t have a significant white tail tip.

The puppies are getting so interactive with Capella. That is Star Garnet with her paw on Capella’s face.

Star Garnet was being so persistent that Capella finally just pinned her. Gently — but, yes, she pinned her 😂

Topaz snuggling with his mom.

Sapphire making the apple jingle.

They are all so social.

I have waited over four years for this precious litter, and you can bet I am taking full advantage of my time with them 💙💙💙🩷🙏

This is SO fun.

Day 18 (updated)

Mary-Ann Sontag June 22, 2025

I want to begin by acknowledging that difficult things are happening in our country and the world. I feel it deeply. But this space will be a break. A place to come and feel the warm fuzzies, so to speak. Because while there are challenges and conflicts happening, we all still have opportunities for joy — puppies, for example. It is okay and even necessary to feel all the feels.

The KaiBabz are settling into life in the whelping box, but they do have a tendency to gossip.

Star Garnet: “And then KaiBabz #2 told me that Jasper told KaiBabz#1 that he was going to have a red carpet and I couldn’t go because I am not pink like the Glam Lambz. They all get to go, and KaiBob and I can’t go because we aren’t glam. And when I asked Jasper about it, he just bit my nose.”