Kaibab Bernese Mountain Dogs

Kitsap from the Wildflowers is awaiting the news that he is an uncle (this week) and a brother (next week).

Thank you, Bridget!

Readiness for next two weeks continues, as much as we can actually be ready for what is coming and I am not sure that is completely possible.

Harper B and rePete say, “Pass the popcorn — this is going to be entertaining.”

Claire continues to grow.

Alison sent these and they are edible 100% of the time with Claire, which is an enviable record for food these days…

Thank you, Alison!

And speaking of wonderful gifts — someone sent three bags of different puppy foods from Chewy but there is no indication of who sent them.

Please accept my gratitude, whether you want to out yourself or remain anonymous. VERY much appreciated.

Laundry is finishing up…

Claire’s temperature readings yesterday were: 100.6, 100.2, and 100.4.

Today we start taking her temperature four times a day. We are look for a drop of at least two degrees. At that point we will check her progesterone to ensure it has also dropped, and then she will have a c-section for the following reasons: 1) litter size (big); 2) overnight emergency veterinary options are not optimal; 3) planned c-sections are safer than emergency ones; 4) her knee issue; and, 5) to maximize puppy survival.

Because we did progesterone testing and timed ovulation, and because dog pregnancy is not especially variable in terms of length, we know we will have puppies on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The twice a week laser appointments plus brace fitting means my poor veterinarian has had to go over The Plan with me a lot — I like making sure all bases are covered, as much as possible.

Our veterinarian is an excellent surgeon and so I know Claire will have the best care. In a c-section, however, puppies come out fast and are often sleepy, needing quick suctioning and vigorous reminders about the need to breath, and the veterinarian is busy tending to the mom and pulling out puppies. This means many experienced hands are needed for the Puppy Crew, and so Suzanne and I will be part of that team.

Once puppies are well-started, they go into a warming box with their siblings. When Claire is sort of awake, the puppies will nurse — it all happens quickly and we expect to be home within hours of their arrival.

We are also prepared for a home delivery if Claire surprises us, and decides that is the easy peasy part of pregnancy (since nothing else has been!).

Dear Husband finished up his walkabout and will be home tonight…

We have the team and The Plan ready.

I think.

I invite you to rest your good wishes on Claire this week, and also to consider that even in dogs, inequities exist.

Claire and her puppies are so privileged, and it is not because they are any more worthy or special than the mother dog and her sweet babies living in a cage or barn at a puppy mill. Further, it would in no way diminish the advantages offered to Claire and her family if all dogs were as loved and fortunate.

On this day, I am considering the inequalities that continue to exist in our country, and wishing we could truly understand that we are better when we care for and about others — not less.

I Have a Dream — indeed.

Penny sends such wonderful photos! This is Zeus and Buttercup, littermates from the Wildflowers, enjoying a break from their romp together…

The Puppy Palooza Readiness Weekend is proceeding well. The whelping box is up…

This is the view into the area from the kitchen — you can see my desk is right there.

A risk to puppies in the first week or two is that they can accidentally be suffocated by their mom, who cannot count. We, however, can count and will be watching and counting constantly to ensure their safety.

The evening sky last night predicted the genders with a showy display of pinks and blues…

I have settled on puppy names and will assign collars to the names today.

New families may certainly change their names but while they are with us the puppies have real names. They are so much more than a collar color, after all.

Today is also laundry day — all the puppy linens will be washed and readied. You would be amazed at how much laundry is involved with a litter.

Finally, today is the day we start taking Claire’s temperature four times a day. Here is Claire’s actual pregnancy journal entry from this morning following the start of that fun adventure…