A well deserved rest

Cali has settled back into motherhood very well. She is quietly nursing the puppies in the study but enjoyed her supper. she had a salmon starter and some beef. I thought she deserved a treat. She still doesn't think much of her kibble.

We were pleased that the vet confirmed that nine was the full complement of puppies but they had to  give her a quick ultrasound (£££££££££) to check. I think nine is plenty. In fact we feel very lucky to have all nine because it was touch and go with one of them for a while. However, he has already become a vigorous puppy.

Vet Visit

We are very pleased to say, the vet gave Cali the all clear and she just loved the puppies. They are all fit and well and as I type I am able confirm they have great sets of lungs. If they fall off a teat they scream and scream! So, 6 girls and 3 boys. Didn’t Jennifer and Ina do a great job?????????? Oh, Cali had a part to play too!

Vet Visit

Right, we have a family appointment with the vets this evening at 18.30! Just to get things sorted and piece of mind!

Babies

Number 9

Another little girl

7 and .........8

Another little boy and then another little boy who had us worried for about 20 minutes. Slow to breath but after dopram and nutridrops he seems to be thriving now.

Now we are five! Sorry make that six

Cali is still in labour and I was going to say she is taking it at a more leisurely pace but she interrupted me as I was typing that. 5 girls and 1 boy. It all looks a bit of a mess but it is all part of the process.

Then there were three!

Two bitches so far and one little boy! All is well so far.

They are here!

1st little girl born 9.35 am. Little red bottom 480g.

This may take longer than we thought!

She is definitely in labour but after a night without sleep, as of 8am, still no puppies. Stewart is off to work soon so Ina and I will have to hold the fort!

Still waiting!

Well it has just gone 4 a.m. and we are still waiting. Cali has been pacing and panting for hours and is not eating, except for the occasional red doggie treat. She spits all the others out.

Any time now

Cali has been panting on and off all evening and is very restless. So is Stewart!

Not long now

Stay tuned folks, I think we are going for Gold!

Is tonight the night?

 Cali ate a little supper but soon gave up, even though I cooked her mince. She was also panting a bit earlier and pacing. However, she has now settled down after a tummy wash from daddy. Or has she? Stewart thinks tonight's the night but I'm not sure.

Respite for Cali.

Alba has now gone to stay with her uncle Dylan at grandma's house to give Cali some well deserved peace and quiet. Still no signs of labour.

Still no change

Cali does not want to do much of anything and is turning her nose up at her food in favour of dog treats or other specially prepared foods. She spends most of her time sleeping but is definitely nesting in the garden, where she is digging herself a den.

Teenagers!

Cali is coping very well, despite having a very stroppy teenager for company!!!!

Only a mother!

Only a mother will know how I feel!

Puppy Prep 2

Not long now, Stewart is nesting! He's doing jobs now that have waited an age!

It's so cool!

When Cali lies down you can see the puppies moving! Still can't work out how many there are though.

Puppy Prep 1

ANYTHING to take my mind of Cali for 5 minutes! Still no sign but we have three days to go. The Vet said she'll go on until the 1st!!!!! At least the patio got a wash and hopefully some admin later today!

How much bigger can she get?

"Ready Aye Ready"

We're just about there. I think we are ahead of Cali in the preparation stakes. This little lot is for the first night. Tonight will be the first night Stewart spends in the study with Cali. That's for the next four weeks. Cali enjoyed a anti-bacterial tummy wash this afternoon, she was so cross when I stopped doing it! Alba is going nuts, she knows something is up and wont leave our sides. She's panting more than Cali.  It'll be fun to introduce her to the puppies.

Fussy eater

Cali is now very fussy with her food. Yesterday she would not eat her breakfast and I ended up making her scrambled egg. Today she had some lamb broth mixed with her kibble and actually managed to spit out most of the biscuits! I suppose she is entitled.

Ellie is waiting too!

Ellie spent time with Cali this morning, checking out the whelping box.

 Ellie was amused by Cali making sure the new vet bed is clean enough.

 As there were no signs of Cali's puppies, Ellie decided to lend her some of her own babies ...

.... and showed her how to look after them.

Worming

Cali tolerates her daily dose of Panacur as Alba looks on, relieved that she does not need to have any.

Now it's just a waiting game.

The vetbed is here and now we are all just waiting.

.

Preparations

We are nearly ready for the new litter. The whelping box is up with new vinyl underneath it and the heat lamp in place. We have purchased a new set of sharpie markers along with puppy milk, nutridrops, colostrum supplement, gallons of Panacur wormer, dopram, paper towel, batteries for scales, the thermometer and chip reader and plenty of bin liners.  We are just waiting for the vetbed now. 10 days to go!

A moment in the sun

The Postman called!

Both Cali and Alba love these Postman's legs as a treat. What a name!!!!

Cali on a walk!

19 days to go and Cali has had enough! She so desperately wants to run and have a really long walk but her puppies are in the way!!!! This was taken after just 5 min and a 100 yards! We had no need to worry about her not eating much earlier. She's obviously eating for many now. We go through this together!