First photo

Some are calling them the Dirty Dozen. Or the Calendar Pups. Or even The Dime a Dozen Gang.

Eeek, still not sunk in--12!

First weights are 9 3/4 to 13 oz. Most are 12-13 oz. Spunky and really doing well.

Lator gators.....

C

Annie--you're fired!

Okay folks here's the news. First off Annie is fired. She helped with the breeding and those magic fingers are too magical for us.

Emergency c-section at Dr Meier's because Doc happened to be out of town and not available till later today. First puppy was stuck and not moving at all.

18 hands on deck--THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!! Alisa, Sheila, Tim and his mom. Annie, Chuck, Mom , Dad, Dick and then the four of us. Terra and the other vet tech from Doc's and then Dr Meier's staff.

And here's why.............12 puppies! Yes you read it right, 12. We didn't loose a one, even Ms stuck puppy.

Counts--and another reason Annie is fired. 10 boys-all brindle, 1 splitface mismark. 2 girls-1 brindle(ms stuck puppy) and 1 b/w splitface mismark. We have some awesome markings, lots of white ears, body splashes, white psots and cool markings on their necks. No Ruffle Buns full brindle legs though.

I will try to get photos up later today. Abbey is doing okay, could be better. She lost a lot of blood and the puppies are sucking her dry. We are supplementing as needed and they are all squeaking, moving and doing very well.

Me, I'm off for a shower. Alec, down for a nap. Meredith is going to work on some bottle feeding shortly and then we start it all over again.

later gators....
C

I'm sooooo not ready

Sorry it's been a few days folks. Work(end of the month and college students), kids(school started) and of course dogs.

Xrays. Ugh. Xrays....... 8 for sure, possibly 12. She's so big and so thick that they can't get a super clear photo.

And...... she's in prelabor! So more updates as I can through out the evening and into the night.


later gators....
C

The mail man cometh!

Just in the nick of time, a special package arrived from up north to make Abbey's day. Thanks go out to Dawn and the Daybreake crew for their Paw It Forward Package.

See Abbey's not having a great last week or so. She's SOOOO big that we had to put her on crate rest. Bottoming out on the one step to the outside and looking totally horrible. Now many would wonder, how many times did we breed this girl? I swear twice only. And we thought the first one was too early. Large litters are in the lines so I guess we just wait and see.

The package contained goodies-beef tendons, chicken jerky, treats and toys. Abbey got first dibs and it cheered her up wonderfully.

So here's the deal---I'll send out two packages to Paw It Forward, but the catch is this.....tell me how many puppies you think she's going to have! Xray's are on Tuesday afternoon--if she can last that long, so we'll go off Doc's count for the first package-person closest to the xray. 2nd package will be to the person closest on the live count after she whelps, which could be any time after Wednesday.

I'm having some Blogger posting issues on the computers at home and else where, so it might be a few days for the results plus I have a couple neat things to pick up at the Dog Show in 2 weeks that I think everyone will love to get.

So, whatcha think??????

Puppy watch, four days and counting!

Later gators.....
C

Hidden gems

I turned off the central air yesterday. Opened up the house and threw a blanket on the bed just in case. It was amazing! Light breeze flapping the curtains and I had to use that blanket!

Yes seems hot summer weather has gone somewhere else for the time being. I suspect some of it will return but hey for now, I gotta find a pair of socks! The dogs are going bonkers--outside time and it couldn't happen soon enough for me. Tired dogs are good dogs. Though Abbey is tired anyway, she's lugging around a few, okay a lot of extra pounds and keeps looking at me and asking why her? And I fear that the next time she sees Annie, Connie and Russ, she's going to have a thing or two to say to them!

Lazy weekend really. Run errands. No wait, attempt to run errands. I had to go and do some business at the kennel club's bank in a near by town. Oops, forgot, Fun Days and I almost ended up in the parade. Then once I got to the bank, closed for Fun Days. So Moose and I ended up with a nice drive instead.

I love little towns. Each has their own unique take on life. Central City is starting to rebuild it's downtown. We visit the "village" about once a week for groceries at the little store, maybe an ice cream at the little shop just off main or a trip to the park. Springville, where my mother grew up has the American Legion where my grandfather took us for their annual pancake breakfast. Everyone knows who you are. The Ms does riding lessons at their stable and the quarry is there. Alburnett has the best broasted chicken at Mahoney's.

But currently Mt Vernon is one of our favorite haunts. We do the Lincoln Highway Antiques. The Ms loves the Silver Spider. Then there's wonderful sweets at the Tea Room. The lost treasure that still remains in this little burg is it's one screen, 100 seat movie theater.

The Bijou is awesome. It's run by a family who knows most everyone by name. Tickets are $5 and they run good movies, maybe a month or two after they were released, but hey, I'm more then willing to wait and get a bargin. They practice recycling--bring your own cup(with a lid) or popcorn bucket and it's 1/2 price. Even without your own, it's still darn cheap! Oh and refills 1/2 off too.

The Ms and I went to see the 3rd Twilight movie, Eclipse a week ago. Movies usually only run for a week-Friday through the following Thursday. $10 for our tickets. Candy, big popcorn and soda for $5.50! They have drawings based on the number of people in the crowd-free med popcorn and soda, movie poster, etc. Few news related times-next set of movies, current status of local events, etc.

So Saturday we loaded up the tahoe-Dad, Mom, kid #1, kid #2 and off to the movies we went. For $26.00 four tickets, large soda and popcorn and candy. Tell me that isn't just the best bargin around. We saw Despicalble Me. Very funny and well worth it. Not sure if we will go see Inception next week but Eat Pray Love will be there in 3 weeks and I plan on going.

So tonight? I'm thinking it's to bed early to enjoy the cool breeze, watch the 1/2 moon make it's rounds and listen to the crickets. Love this weather!!!

Later gators.....
C

No angle is good

Poor girl. 1 1/2 weeks to 2 weeks to go. Annie is predicting 8-12. What do you think??

Later gators....
C

The Cat

Did I mention that we have a cat. Just one mind you. And yes it's a house cat. She was "adopted" from a friend who was moving to TX. Daisy had been raised with a rough collie(Clairee's aunt) and a psycho border collie. We knew she would fit in just fine. Pheoebe as ever, is in charge of herding her to her proper place-the Ms' bedroom. Marg also inherited that trait as well as Dove.

We tried to get some photos of her sitting on the island waiting for the sharks to attack but alas, didn't work. Most of the time she hangs out just on the other side of the gate and teases. Eats Marg's dog food--Marg won't chase her off and can also be found rubbing against the crates in the dog room, while there are dogs in them. Just a joy to have around, sort of.

Did I also mention David is NOT a cat person?

Later gators....
C

Depends on the angle

This looks pretty normal....This doesn't.....

Around 3 weeks left and please remember, Abbey isn't a small girl.

Later gators....
C

It's official!

Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into that certificate. And now.....she's harassing the horses, sleeping on the couch and perfecting her golf game in retirement.

Later gators...
C