Welcoming to the World Ziggy & Freya’s 2025 Litter

Freya and Ziggy F1 Goldendoodle Puppies

We are excited to announce the arrival of Ziggy and Freya’s 2025 litter of puppies! Every pregnancy and litter is a new adventure, whether it’s a girl’s first or third time. The anticipation never fades-how many are hiding in there? Who will have the white toe? And who’s the feisty one kicking me on her left side? These questions have been running through our minds since February. It’s been a year since Freya’s last litter, and we can’t wait to introduce you to these little ones as they grow.

Ivy’s comforting paw touches her sister, Freya

Sisterly Support

Freya has handled this pregnancy beautifully. She’s adored the extra, extra pampering-both from us and from the other dogs, not to mention our cat, Aurora. Last time, Freya preferred solitude; she’d find a quiet spot to watch everything from afar, uninterested in the company of the other dogs.

Back then, her sister Ivy was busy with her own litter. Her pups were about seven weeks old and in the midst of weaning, so the sisters rarely saw each other during Freya’s pregnancy. This time, Ivy has been fully invested in Freya’s journey. She’s fiercely protective of Freya’s belly and never far from her side-whether it’s a paw on her rump, a head on her belly, or simply lying back-to-back. I’ve loved watching all the ways Ivy stays close.

Ivy is an incredibly devoted mom who loves puppies with all her heart. When it was time to wean Freya’s litter last year, Ivy stepped into the role of “Auntie” perfectly. Having another experienced mom involved helps the puppies adjust during weaning, providing comfort and keeping order when Mom needs a break.

Ziggy, Aurora and Ivy Wait for the Puppies

Fluffy Guardians

There’s a special dynamic between all the animals during these times, and Ziggy is no exception. He’s always delighted by the pregnancies, getting this goofy grin with each new arrival. Most girls are rightfully protective of their bellies in the later stages, but Freya has let him be near. At night, I often find Ziggy lying on the floor next to Freya, who has claimed his bed for herself. He stretches his head out just far enough so his snoot can touch her, content to simply be close. It’s one of those small, sweet moments that makes this experience so memorable.

Aurora has been a fascinating part of this story. To Freya and Ivy, she’s their “mom.” Aurora was a feral cat with nine kittens when she chose Karl and me in 2014. She was hesitant when we first introduced dogs-Ziggy was just a nine-week-old pup-but the poodle girls were born in her house. She heard their little whimpers and, as a mom herself, knew just how to care for them.

Normally, Aurora has no qualms about wandering across the dogs’ bellies, asserting her authority as she moves through the house. She is more than happy to boop Freya in the nose until enough fur gets in her nostrils she has to sneeze. It is an event that happens enough with all the dogs to know that Aurora is doing it on purpose and it is a power she loves to wield. But with Freya, she’s made a point to avoid the belly. Instead, she purrs and kneads biscuits right next to her.

Freya Preparing for Birth

Birth in Our Bedroom

We set up our bedroom for the birth to take place in a location where Freya was most comfortable. She did wonderfully. She kept us on our toes, thinking she was moments from starting until, at last, at 8:30p.m on 4-21, the magic began. We were with her for the arrival of every pup. Seeing each one as it arrived is a fantastic feeling. She finished in the early hours of 4-22, and we all slept.

The pups are strong-ready to nurse from their arrival and finding the strength to stand on their little legs within a couple of days. They have little poodle features and little golden retriever features: a curl on their head from the poodle, a broad nose from the golden. It is a delight to watch them change over the next few weeks.

In the early days their primary personality is eat, sleep, poop and cry, not too much different from most babies. There has been some interesting features already. The smallest girl was first to arrive and before she was clean had already started to nurse. Her brother who arrived second was happy to just roll around and let Freya clean him after his arrival.

Aurora and Ivy watch over Freya and the nest while she rests.

Family Dynamics Around the Nest

Behavior around the nest has been much the same. Freya has allowed Ziggy, Ivy, and Aurora to continue to be near the pups much as she did with her pregnant belly. We kept them all away during the birth so she could be as comfortable as possible, but after that, we let her dictate their nearness to her brood.

Ziggy is quite the proud dad. He beams every time he looks at them and sees us praising them. (He does get a little jealous of the girls and pups’ praise, so we have to remind him and praise him for the good job he is doing too.) He sleeps with either a paw or a nose touching the nest. When the pups were a couple of days old, Freya even allowed him to sleep with his head in the nest, watching her and the little ones.

Ivy and Aurora have been two ever-present aunties. Ivy will not go into the nest, nor will she touch the puppies unless we are holding them. She is maintaining a great deal of respect for her sister-more than we would have anticipated. She sleeps every night at the foot of our bed so she can look over the litter.

Aurora blesses the litter with her presence. She approaches the whelping box and rubs her face across each corner. She will glance inside but has also shown an intense amount of esteem for the sanctity of another girl’s nest. She purrs and happy paws before jumping on our bed next to Ivy so they can maintain the watch together.

Freya and Her Litter

Reflecting on New Life

The pups are now opening their eyes and showing more personality. Those first few days do little to reveal their true selves. Some pups show up with a drive from the moment they arrive. Others are here for the journey with no hurry to go anywhere. Observing these traits as they show themselves is a privilege of what we do.

It’s always a magnificent experience-scary, enlightening, heartwarming, a little gross, and filled with new life. As we welcome this new litter, I’m reminded once again of the magic and unpredictability of new life. Each puppy brings its own surprises, personality, and joy. Whether you’re following along for the first time or have been with us through past litters, thank you for sharing in our excitement.

We can’t wait to introduce you to each little face as they grow and discover the world. Stay tuned for puppy profiles and portraits-this litter’s adventure is just beginning.

Pile of Puppies