Monday, August 31, 2009

Kate

Day one of training is over and no signs of an impending whelp - Ok Kate...hold on 3 more days then Mom will be off for 5 days.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

X-Ray results

We just got back from the Vet. Kate's X-ray clearly shows 7 puppies. On closer inspection, we could see an 8th spine. We had trouble locating the corresponding head and finally decided it was blocked by Kate's organs. So for all of you that voted 7-8 on the poll - you were right! Now the count down begins....
OK, Kate ------Think easy whelp, nice healthy puppies.......

Friday, August 21, 2009

Kate - Day 52

Something tells me the puppies may arrive sooner than I thought. She was bred on July 1st making day 63 September 1st. She clearly ovulated before her breeding so I am expecting puppies to arrive as earlier as Tuesday - She will get X-rays that morning to see how many we are expecting...... The poll is pretty even between 7-8 or 9 + . Poor baby is ready to get those puppies out - she has to have help to get up the back steps now.





Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Puppies are coming!

Here is poor Kate on day 49 - She looks as if she is about to explode - How many puppies are in there - take our poll! Something tells me she may whelp before September 1st!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Memphis Trip

Jill didn't do anything on Saturday and went reserve on Sunday. No points for Jill this weekend. So, Jill will be going to the Chattanooga and Murfreesboro shows looking for those lat 2 singles. I was honored to show Scout in Group on Saturday where we got a look, but no group placement.
Janet and I had still had a fun weekend despite an interesting dinner at the Texas Roadhouse on Saturday night. It's always nice to see old friends and make new ones, so the trip was not a loss.
My one complaint is I woke up this morning with one of the worse allergy attacks I can remember. I am so congested I sound like I have a bucket on my head. Thankfully, the District Attorney General took pity on me this morning and did not make me testify in any of my sentencing hearings.
Tonight will be a nyquil night..... as we say in the south "for tomorrow is another day"

Friday, August 14, 2009

Off to Show

Well, Janet and I are off to Southhaven MS (Memphis, TN) for a show today. The entry is small, maybe Jill can pick up those last 2 points!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Calming down

Whew, I need to retire - can I make it 5 more years? I have always tried to take the approach at work of "not sweating the small stuff". Of late, I seem to have a harder time applying this technique. I have been working for the State for 24+ years, and I've never been told to go to training or else, so it's hard to adjust. With the current budgetary problems, things in my dept. have been stressful, with workloads increasing at an alarming rate. Maybe I am just too old to adapt. Who knows... ANYWAY...after a long discussion with Shirley regarding Kate's impending whelp it appears things will work out. She pointed out that it is highly unlikely that Kate and my friends 2 bitches will all whelp on the same day, so help will more than likely be available. She also offered to jump on a plane and fly from MD to TN for the week if needed. What a jewel of a mentor she is!
Thanks to all my blogging buddies for enduring "my red neck melt down". I appreciate your wise advice!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Stressing Out - Help!!!!

Oh boy I am stressing out right now. My employer is absolutely insisting that I attend 4 days of intense training starting August 31st. Normally, I would not mind this but Kate is due to whelp on September 1st. Now, if she's a sweetheart and delivers at night - no problem - I will be there. My husband will be home during the day on Monday through Wednesday, but he has never whelped a litter on his own. He has to work on Thursday which leaves Kate alone. I have asked several of my breeder friends for help but keep running into obstacles. The breeders I trust the most all have bitches due the same week and obviously can't commit to anything. The OCD in me has got me freaking out. Should I schedule her for a C-section on the 28th (day 59)?? - I really hate to do that but I am running out of options. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Lesson Learned

My husband learned what not to do in a dog fight last night! We rarely have a fight in our house. To exit our backdoor you have to go down two steps into a small closed in area. This has always been a problem when letting our dogs out. The girls like to butt bite the boys as they go out. the boys get ticked, and bite who ever is next to them - to the girls delight! Last night, the butt biting started a fight between two boys. Rick ran out and stuck his hand between the biting mouths and.....OUCH!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Kate's favorite perch

Day 38 - Kate's favorite place to lay is on the top step into our den. I think she's having a hard time fitting her expanding belly on the step.







Monday, August 3, 2009

Pickles & Ice Cream

Day 34 - Kate's morning sickness has subsided and she is HUNGRY! She wants to eat everything - I am sure that would include pickles and ice cream if I would let her have them. She is just as happy with yogurt and raw liver!

I snapped this picture a few moments ago. Kate loves to lie on the cool concrete - I do believe there are puppies in there!