I use a bright nail polish and mark right paw, left paw, rear right, left rear, both front, both rear, front and rear right, front and rear left, Top of back at the neck and . lastly top of back at the rear. That covers ten. The reason : I keep a weight chart on them so I know how they are doing. Momma always managed to take the ribbons off them. This way I can replenish what might wear off. The weight chart goes with each pup along with its health notations on shots when they leave. I also supplement right from start with pedialyte and goat's milk to give them a good start in life. At 2 weeks they got a bit of raw hamburger and boy they do zap that up fast. Momma always appreciates the rest while we supplement and then does the potty job. I just loved burping them after the bottle feed...just like human babies!!! I do miss that but the whelping time was too much at my age so retirement does have some drawbacks!!! Marie K. Hicks Hightor German Shepherds Acton, CA www.geocities.com/hightorgsd ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================