puppies2018 | Dangerous Common Sense

Day 19 – The Aperture Got Us

Today’s update is more about the limits of photography than it’s about raising a puppy.

Remember, because MUNI just opened her eyes, we are not using flash for a while.

When you take a picture in low light one way to make the image visible is to open up the lens aperture. (Read Wikipedia on lens aperture settings.) The aperture settings are delineated in f-stops. Higher number f-stops indicating smaller lens openings (less light) and lower f-stop numbers indicate a larger lens opening for more light. My camera’s lens have f-stops from 22 to 2.8. 2.8 is pretty good at letting light in. 2.8 allows for flash-less pictures even there’s little light.

Anyway, the benefit of using a low f-stop that lets more light in is that you can take your picture without keeping the shutter open so long that you get motion blur. Or, using a high ISO (fast film) which typically makes for grainy pictures. Unfortunately, the problem with low f-stop settings is that focusing has to be very precise.

See…

Blurry photo of MUNI while Geoffrey's hand is in focus

Day 19 – The Aperture Got Us

This morning’s shot shows a very clear picture of Geoffrey’s hand and wedding ring. However, MUNI, just an inch and one-half closer to the camera, is out-of-focus. That’s because I was using the maximum opening for the lens, f-stop 2.8. And, this is the best picture of the series I took!

MUNI, fortunately, doesn’t care. At 8:05 she was up to 27.4 oz, and she is still happy and content. A bad day for the photographer, but a good day for the puppy!

By Galen|2018-10-15T10:50:25-07:00October 12, 2018|dachshunds|0 Comments

Day 18 — I am the Walrus!

MUNI continues to grow at a happy pace. This morning at 7:30 she was up to 26 oz. even.

We have started thinking that instead of a dachshund, we are raising a walrus. Here’s why…

Day 18 – I am the Walrus

Meanwhile, we have narrowed Zenith’s puppy food banquet down to just one brand: Hills Science Diet Puppy Food. This has made her stomach calmer. But, she still is demanding attention every few hours day or night. Sometimes she “needs” to go out, but often she’s just looking for adult attention. And, at 2:30 in the afternoon she is looking for an afternoon snack to tide her through the day!

By Galen|2018-10-14T17:48:36-07:00October 11, 2018|dachshunds|1 Comment

Day 17 — Playing Hide and Seek

We’ve seen MUNI’s eyes, but she’s not being rigorous about keep them open. Here’s her 8:10 am look this morning:

If you look real close — and believe — you can see MUNI’s eyes.
Click on the photo for a larger, clearer version.

We (mainly me, because Geoff is working 12-hour days for the upcoming tax deadline) are handling her more. Both MUNI and Zenith seem to be okay with that. MUNI calms down when I blow on her face/neck, just like her mother does.

Today, on the jittery scale, she jumped up 1.6 oz to 24.2 oz. I believe the weight gain — her walrus imitation is convincing.

Zenith, unfortunately, has loose bowels again, just as our SF vet predicted could happen if we started feeding her rich, wet puppy food. She’s asking to go out every few hours which also cuts into our sleep.

Oh well. Everyone is gaining weight and seems healthy.

By Galen|2018-10-10T20:48:37-07:00October 10, 2018|dachshunds|1 Comment

Day 16 — The Eyes Have It!

Day 16 — I See!
Click for a full-size picture.

MUNI is keeping to her snuggling, eating, and sleeping routine, and it’s working. She looks like a fat, happy walrus in the whelping box.

This morning she was 1.4 oz heavier than yesterday; she is now at 22.6 oz!

Of course, the most impressive development was the ability to look MUNI in the eyes. You had to work at it, because she’s keeping the openings to a slit, but there definitely an eye on each side.

At the same time, Zenith has been eating regularly and strongly. She woke me up at 5:15 this morning, demanding breakfast, and she has been devouring the puppy food with gusto.

So we continue to nurse, nurture, and grow!