4/10/11

Our pastry will join the world on 4/10/11. 

Sedona's temperature was 98.7 at 10pm, 99.1 at 10:10pm.  Upon the advice of a few wise breeders, I will call and get her into my backup vet tomorrow (the guy who did Kota's hematoma surgery) when they open. 

Say some prayers, cross your fingers, send positive energy.... 

We're havin' a baby!!!

due date weekend...

Well, the weekend has finally arrived.  The weekend I've had highlighted in my calendar for 2 months.  It also happens to be Ollie-Bear's birthday weekend (tomorrow he will be 9 - another post for that tho).  I've been so anxiously awaiting this weekend, but scared of it at the same time! 
We've got the whelping box all set up... the laundry room has been converted into a cozy place for Sedona and her little one.  She lives in the laundry room when I'm at work anyway, so it works out nicely for her...  not so nicely for me, who will be crammed on an air mattress in a door way for a few days...  ;-)  I set up the camera for a great view of the box last night...  it's not pretty, but it works! :) 
With it only being ONE puppy, it changes so much in my mind...  instead of feeling a group of wriggling, kicking babies in the belly of the mama, I feel one lone little wriggler and kicker....  knowing just who I'm feeling.  Imaging what he/she will look like...  hoping and praying that it will not be a hell raiser... ;-) 
I sit with knots in my stomach waiting to see if she'll go into labor this weekend. 
I love watching Sedona sleep so soundly with my hand on her belly....  I'm so disgustingly sentimental! LOL 
I know you all can imagine how I feel about my dog right about now...  I've always adored the heck out of this dog.  When I asked for a Phoebe clone, little did I know that it would quite literally be an exact clone!  Talk about taking a request to heart!  Thanks Phoebe! :)  She's even following in her momma's pawprints of 'makin' em big'! :) 
She's managed the pregnancy well... probably better than I have!  :)  She's still running around, playing with the boys.  She's still climbing the stairs to go to bed at night (I cut her off the stairs otherwise).  She's taking the temperature taking in stride (relatively...  as much as she can take that sort of violation in stride).  :)  I think she's going to loooove having a puppy to lick and care for.  She was born to be a mama dog.
Keep the good thoughts and prayers coming...  this special little pastry will be here before we know it! :)

a special little pastry....

 

One special little pastry will be born in around 10 days.... :)  Can't wait to meet you, little puff-pastry-eclair-pizelle-macaroon-kid.  Can't wait to see what you look like!! :) 

A preggo update....

Well - Sedona is showing more and more as the days pass...  her belly is starting to "waddle to and fro".  :)

I called and set an appointment for an x-ray for a 'head and spine' count for Friday.  :)  Stay tuned for the first glimpse of the little pastries! :) 

things are a-growin'....

 I broke out the camera today to take some decent pictures... 
She doesn't seem impressed - does she?

 but she's super pretty.... ;-) 

 and so is he...  :) 

 Oh how we grow!  We've got babies growin' in the oven...  :)

 

A comparison shot - above is obviously Sedona from above... and below is Chance from above...  

 And the three furry ones.  No.  Sedona COULD not be bothered to turn around.  LOL 

 A cute shot of her playing with a toy - you can see the baby bump :) 

 Lazy land whale....  and we still have another few weeks ahead of us?  Poor kid. 

 Awwww.  :)  He makes me smile :) 

getting ready

So now the stuff is starting to arrive in preparation of puppies in 4 or so weeks. 

We all know how vital web cam viewing is (snicker), so I added this to my collection:

This will allow all of the little puppies fans to watch them at any and all hours of the day/night.  It will also allow ME to watch them from my phone!  Super Cool!!!!

Next up was something to weigh the little critters with....

Best bang for the buck.  I really like it so far.  It is super useful in the kitchen too! :)  (imagine that!!)

Last but not least in my shopping adventures, I was suggested to buy these:

Washable bed pads. 

I also hit Goodwill yesterday on an "everything-is-half-off" day and scored 8 towels for 8 dollars! :)  One can never have too many dog towels! :)

The list also included plastic bins for puppy holding.  I picked up a 3 pack (because one can always find a use for a plastic storage bin, right?) - one of which will be the puppy holding bin. 

I also have a whole mess of hand towels for wiping/rubbing puppies when they arrive. 

The whelping box will be set up soon so it's not strange to her, and we're going to start spending more time in the guest room to make her comfortable. 

And so MY nesting continues... :)

4 weeks

Fat?  Pregnant?  I vote the latter.  

I took this photo this morning as I was getting ready for work. 

Due date 4/10 (or so) - I keep rubbing her belly saying "healthy babies, free whelp, 6 is great, no more than 8".  You watch, she'll give me 10 or some other ridiculous amount.  I just know she'll be an amazing momma dog.  I apologize in advance for the onslaught of belly pictures that are to come...  Good news though - I have a web cam and the babies will be streaming live once they make their appearance :) 

going by the numbers

Because I am obsessive and this is my first time going through a pregnancy, I am measuring Sedona each week. 
I'm starting to think that numbers don't lie.....  I should know with absolute certainty in the next week (I hope).

	waist	ribs
9-Feb	18"	21"
18-Feb	18.5"	22"
25-Feb	19"	23.25"
4-Mar	19.5"	24"

a safe place to have babies....

So many thanks go out to Penni for loaning me (ok, loaning SEDONA) her whelping box!!!!!  I had no plans for a whelping box, and while Carolyn and Tom were visiting, I had planned on having Tom help me with a whelping box.  When Penni heard this news, she offered to lend me her box that Watson and Holmes broke in (Phoebe's last litter).  The fab four were raised in this box too, most recently! :)  I can't wait to fill it with beautiful black babies in April! 

 I asked Sedona to come and model her new box....  this was her reply.... 

 And then I said "no.  really.  Get in the box!"  She doesn't look very excited, does she?

 Audrey says "Hey - whatcha doin' in there, Sedona??" 

 I sat in there with her for a while and gave her lots of goodies.... so now she wants more.  LOL  Little piggy dog! :)

 A family portrait of sorts - even though the blue dog is a GIRL...  ;-)  Kady says "I'm makin' myself at home!"

 And then the terrific trio had THEIR picture taken in it.  They all thought the box was great! :) 

Thanks again Auntie Penni!!!  Hopefully the next time the box is featured on the blog, it will be full of really fat Sedona...  :)  Keep those fingers crossed.  I'm feeling pretty good about our chances, but it sure can't hurt for all the good thoughts to keep flowing! :)

The breeding story - the ball is actually rolling now...

Sedona has been bred - and now we wait.  :)  If she took, we should be expecting puppies on or around April 10th...  which interestingly, is the birthday of my first dog that I got from Carolyn.  :)  

I'm putting together the things I need BEFORE I need them.  I'll be addressing a whelping box in the next week, and will have a list (and at least a start on the things) for things I need at whelping and after.  Thankfully I will be able to tap Carolyn's brain when she's visiting later this week :)  And tap her kennel help's ability to build things :)

If anyone has something on the tip of their tongue that is a MUST HAVE or a "wish I had known to have THAT" when you first started out, please leave me a comment - I'm a sponge...  :) 

The breeding story - the ball starts rolling....Part 2

Progesterone test on Thursday revealed a progesterone level of .8.  She will go back tomorrow for another test, with results in on Sunday. 
Today is day 7.

The breeding story - the ball starts rolling....

Today I take Sedona in for her first progesterone test.  She is starting to get flirty.  She's a relatively quick cycler, having the longest cycle at 17 days.  Average is about 2 weeks.  She started on Friday the 28th, so she's on day 5. 
She started flagging yesterday afternoon, which tells me that she's 'getting there'. 
Update tonight when I know her number and when I have to go back.  Something tells me that we may be breeding her this weekend..... 
:)

our hidden surprise.... *tissue alert*

After an ultrasound confirmed that Maya was not pregnant in December, we all made plans to meet up in Southern CA for the Specialty.  While we were down there, Kim and Leo told me about Maya's false pregnancy.  I thought maybe I was being silly and hopeful in wishing it weren't false, but when Kim called me today to tell me that she felt a puppy, I didn't feel so silly afterall!

Kim and Maya were laying on the bed this afternoon and Kim felt movement in Maya's belly.  She said her eyes were wide open and her jaw dropped for about 5 minutes as she felt this little puppy inside of Maya moving around. 

Kim took Maya into the vet and after they confirmed what Kim already knew, they scheduled her in for a C-section to take the puppy. 

A beautiful black and white boy with perfect markings was born 2-2-11. 

Only... it was not meant to be. 

When they opened his mouth, they saw such a severe cleft palate that they knew he could not survive on his own.  Kim discussed options with the vet and as heart breaking as it was, she decided that it was best to let our little surprise...  our little gift....  go. 

Chance and Maya were parents to a beautiful little black and white boy for about 10 minutes. 

Our hearts are breaking at the loss of the little life we only knew about for less than 6 hours. 

The WH questions of breeding

1) WHO is the stud?
 --CH Coedwig's Malachite, RN, HS.  "Rocky"
2) WHAT am I looking to improve?
-- We all breed for a reason.  We breed to improve (hopefully) upon what we have currently.  I am hoping to improve: rear angles, I'd like to see shorter hocks, reduce the amount of turn out in the front, increase bone, and reduce the length of the pasterns. 
3) WHAT will I get for sure?
-- Goodness only knows.  I DO know that I will have only brindle pointed black puppies.  Rocky doesn't carry tan, and since brindle trumps tan, I'll have a litter of brindle pointed black kids. 
4) WHEN will the breeding take place?
-- Sedona is due in season any time between 1/29-2/5.  Given that information, she would be due to whelp in early to mid April, depending upon when she's actually bred.
5) WHY did I chose the stud I chose?
-- Rocky has produced consistently better than himself, and has produced CONSISTENTLY.  I like what he has produced in each of his litters. 
6) HOW will this breeding occur?
--Sedona will be artificially inseminated here in Arizona.  Rather than taking the chance of having Sedona stressed during a trip to be bred, I thought it would be best for her to stay home and do it via artificial insemination.  When I did the number crunching, the cost was relatively close (shipping semen vs shipping the dog). 

So there you have it.  I'm excited and scared about diving into the realm of breeding.  I think Sedona will be a great momma-dog and I can't wait to share the experience with all who care to follow our adventure! 

breeding - step 1

It's coming...  the breeding step....  it's coming sooner than I probably understand. 

So I took Sedona down to Dr. Hudman today for a breeding consultation... to talk about my concerns, my goals, how the 'plans' will work, etc.  He said she was in GREAT shape and was well muscled all over.  He even said "she's got great hips based on the muscle tone she has" and I had to tell him about our 'subluxation' issue. 

So I'll call him on Sedona's day 1, and we'll schedule an appointment for progesterone testing. 

I also need to get a puppy pack over to Kim so she can be ready to collect and ship Rocky's 'stuff' when Sedona is ready :)

Wish us luck! :)

a little bit of this... a little bit of that....

STILL waiting for Sedona's CH photo.... I wrote a "where the hell is my picture" email to Dan Pearson.  We'll see if I get a reply as to where the HELL my picture is.  It's almost been a month....  really?  Come on!!!

Chancey is blowing his coat all over the place without regard....  good thing he's not showing again till January! ;-)

Kota is Kota..  I'm going to take him in for a cleaning sometime soon - his teeth are an ugly mess.  They always have been.  I don't want him laughed out of the Veteran's ring because of it though, so we'll get em cleaned before January! :)

Pie2 is Pie2... as sweet and bossy as possible.  I call her my Gumby-dog...  loving, sweet, affectionate on one side, and bossy, bitchy and annoying as all hell on the other.  She's such a riot.  Still a little thing, but she's finally getting some coat again (hooray).  If I ever feel like I'm not drowning with too much to do, I'd like to get her back into agility training.  I feel like thats where her calling is.  Seriously.  Tom and Carolyn Cannon can attest to the springs in this dogs feet! :)

As for me, I am good.  I went through a bit of a challenging week this last week.  Some work hiccups and a family issue (ok, more than an issue, but i won't go there).  It's Veteran's Day, I have the day off, and all is well.  Our fall weather that has finally settled in...  we haven't even hit 70 degrees the last few days!  HOORAY!  I'm  breaking out with the PJ pants (rather than shorts) and slippers...  it's nice.  :)

Still as single as ever, which is ok most of the time.  I've finally closed the book on a chapter of my life that I had some unresolved issues with.  It feels GREAT to be free of that weight on my shoulders.  :)  Maybe now I can begin to move forward and seek out happiness again! :)  One has to be emotionally ready for moving forward, and while I may have SAID I was for all these years, I can see now that I really wasn't.... :(  I am now though, so watch out world! :)  

The fall semester for school is almost over (less than a month to go!) and that leaves me with 4 semesters left (4 down, 4 to go + my medical internship).  There's a teeny tiny little glimmer of light at the end of my tunnel.  I can't believe I've managed to make it this far and do fairly well in most of my classes.  :)  Before I know it, I'll be putting awesome initials after my name in my signature line at work! :)  Hooray! :)

Dog plans are coming along nicely...  I'm still planning to breed Sedona in February when she comes into season (yes, I know it will be February because this dog is like CLOCK WORK).  In the meantime, we're waiting for a girl to come into season and Chance will be bred as soon as that happens.  I'm so darned excited about the idea of him producing - now to see HOW he does....  His sisters have produced nicely, so fingers are crossed for some awesome little black and blue puppies out of him soon! :)  This all means my dog numbers are going to rise....  *sigh*  I'll be getting a puppy back from Chance, and of course, I will plan to keep one of Sedona's puppies too...  Whew.  Looking for just the right place for Pie2 to go once I know that Chance's girl friend is expecting ;-)  We're going to start working on Pie2's resume soon...  stay tuned, it should be funny! :)

Well, I guess that's life as I know it right now...

it's a no go....

After doing some hard thinking and talking with some great friends (THANK YOU), I've decided it's best that I don't go on my road trip to Portland to get Sedona bred.

I've shed many a tear over this situation today, but know in my gut that it's the "right" decision. As much as I *want* to go, I really need to keep my priorities in check and not let my finances go to pot.

I REALLY wanted to see my friends in OR and WA, and to remind myself of where I ultimately want to be (OR), but it's going to have to wait for the time being.

i can't get myself into the position of having a bitch in whelp and not be able to pay for the emergency c-section she's liable to need at 2am. I just can't do that... to either me OR Sedona. I love her too much to let her down like that. I need to set up a doggie savings account and THEN go forward with this next step in my "doggie life".

I'm so thankful to my friends who have been SO supportive... I still *want* to go, but I know I need to stay home and save save save.

Plans are still to breed Sedona to Sterling... once I get myself some money saved up for doggie emergencies...

In the meantime, I start my search for the next possible addition to my dog family.....

vet visits times two & getting plans in order

Tomorrow at 1pm I have to take Kota up to Companion Pet Clinic, where he had his surgery. He's finally been letting me touch his ear, so I took a good look the other night... I wasn't happy with something I noticed....

See inside towards the base of his ear? Yea. it looks like a lingering stitch, but I couldn't find the stitch on the other side (back) of his ear. Either way, it needs to come out, thanks, and I didn't want to try doing it on my own, not without knowing where the other side is...

And then at 3:45pm, I have to take Sedona down to the vet for her "pre-pregnancy check up and Parvo shot" visit. :)

She's officially on "Day 1" today *sigh*.

Chance is thinking he's quite the stud. The boys are so funny... trying to "out do" the other. the adorable play.... Chance is such a cute flirt.

I'll be leaving here probably Tuesday (the 9th) - a full route and plan hasn't been written in stone but I think I'll be getting to that tonight. I want to try and be home the weekend of the 20th and 21st... Whew, long trip! I'll miss my bed! LOL

planning for puppies....

So I miscalculated and thought Sedona was going to be in season in late June or early July - putting it right in line with Bandon.... Alas, I was wrong.
She's due in at the end of MAY, beginning of JUNE - and she's starting the great coat blow that always accompanies her seasons.

Considering this information, I'm trying to figure out how best to get her bred.

1) Shipping her will cost anywhere between $150-$200 each way. *ugh*
2) Driving there is a possibility, depending on my work schedule - whether I'll be working in the Preschool or not.
3) I called a Repro vet nearby and asked how much they charge for AI's, and the receptionist replied "I was told that it's too early to tell..." wha? too early to tell WHAT? How much you'll charge me? Why?? Along with the cost of the AI itself, I'd have to do progesterone testing (so I've been told) to figure out when to do the AI... I can't imagine THAT option is any cheaper than flying Sedona to Sterling.

If she cooperates, I can make a visit out of it, but it would easier on the boys (and in turn, me) if I could just ship her to Kim to be bred, and have her shipped back when all was "done" :)

And thus begins the road to breeder-dom... my first litter is right around the corner... before I know it, I'll be surrounded by stubby little puppies everywhere!

updates on this and that...

Kota's ear is doing well... *I* still feel fluid in it, but it's not getting any worse and it's not bothering him, so I'm leaving well enough alone. his ear is standing, tho a bit weird looking at the top (to my discriminating eye). I'm going to let it do what it's going to do... no sense in putting him through the stress of the vets office and needles if he doesn't need to. Poor kid. On a good note though, he's REALLY come into his own in agility, and now that our BC friend has moved up, he's one of the best dogs in the class - without a doubt. He LOVES it. I wish I could get him on video for everyone to see... He's not super speedy (like Zoey!), but he's clean and accurate, and he wears a grin from big ole ear to big ole ear while doing it.... that's what's important to me :) I actually had to *run* to keep up with him last week, which was something new! :)

The house is still a weird pain in the butt subject... According to what I can find online, it looks like the owners "sold" the house to a company called Cal-Western Reconveyance Corp, and THEY are managing the "Trustee Sale". My property manager tells me that until I'm notified otherwise, that I am obligated to stay in the house as per the terms of my lease. *sigh* So I sit. I wait. I hope that whoever buys the house doesn't kick me out (but they likely will). Fun times are ahead.

No word on Grad School - they're probably just filing through the gazillion applications they received to find the 25 they want to accept for this cohort... Keep your fingers and toes and paws crossed that it's my time.... this is attempt number 2 to get into Grad School, and if I don't get in this time, I'll have to take the stupid GRE again (which will just stink!). I'm due for something to go my way, and for something good in general dang it. :) Think positive thinks please :)

Work is getting back to normal again - it was a little weird coming back after being out for 3 weeks... I came in to see the notes that I had taken on my Dad's medical condition when I got "the phone call"... they were sitting right on top of my desk. I had to turn them over and just look past it - but I did have to clean my desk later that day.... Today was honestly the first day that it felt GOOD to be back at work. The kids all missed me so, and the feeling was VERY mutual :) I love those little rug rats! :)

I was going to save up for Chance's OFA x-rays, but now with the stinky house situation, it looks like I'll have to put that on the back burner again... He's sitting pretty at 10 points now, and I'm being VERY selective about where I'm entering him. If there's not a guaranteed major it REALLY is not worth my time to enter. He's really grown into himself in the last few months, and his latest win photo is evidence of that, I think. Finally. Whew. He's a handsome big goober of a dog... speaking of which, Carolyn has a FABULOUS picture that I HAVE to post to the blog as soon as she sends it (hint hint Carolyn!!) :)

And now that it's certain that Jeri is going to "test drive" Pilot, I feel comfortable saying that I will "test drive" Sterling... based on how Pilot produces with the beautimuss Lizzie, I might want use him for a 2nd litter out of Sedona, if Pilots moms agree. There are many things about both boys that I really like, so this will give me the opportunity to see what Pilot produces with Lizzie, and what Sterling produces with Sedona. Plus, I like me the blues. ;-)

I need to get Sedona's CERF test done, and aside from that, I think I'm good to go...Sterling's Penn-hip x-rays looked really good per Kim S., so I feel comfortable if she does...
I'll start consulting with folks to see what I need on hand, and who I can import to sit by my side and tell me all is ok.... ;-) After watching Kate, I'm a little scared, but seeing those little baby puppies makes me think it's all worth it in the end when the stress of the whelping is over...

In American Idol news, I LOVE Danny Gokey - HATE Megan Joy whatever-her-name-is. She's got to go. Adam did well tonight... really well. Danny is my favorite... almost as much as David Cook was my favorite last year. Yes. I did my part. I voted :)

Well, I think I will go to bed early tonight.... I had dinner with some friends from High School last night that ran a lot later than I was expecting - but I had a great time, so it was well worth staying up late (and having a hard time waking up). I can't believe the week is almost over!