From Russia With Love

April 24 Day 45...

Psuedopregnancy....It's been quite funny to watch TinTin vying for belly rubs and bonbons. Now she is trying to nest.

There's a fold out guest bed in the room next to the whelping room. This is where I have slept in the past so I can be close to mom and babies. I always move down stairs about three weeks before babies are due so all the dogs can get used to the routine and Mom can start sleeping in the whelping box.

When TinTin was pregnant she took to sleeping under the bed at night. Here is a picture of her trying to squeeze under the bed just a few hours before delivering. She was like a bloated tick and could only manage to get her head and shoulders in the space where just days earlier she fit her entire body.

TinTin ... bless her heart ;)

Last year Ico, too, decided that under the bed was a prime nesting spot. In her attempts to make the under bed spot more comfortable she proceeded to dig a hug hole in the carpeting. She even tried to get under there for the delivery. Good thing she decided the whelping box made a second best option.

Well, Nickel is following family tradition and last night took up residence.. where?... under the bed. I was working in the room and the poodle pack was settled in all around me. When I got up to leave I couldn't find Nickel. Lo and behold there she was... sleeping under the bed. She's never crawled under there before.

Remember how I told you that TinTin thinks she's pregnant? Guess where she is right now?

TinTin re-escavating the hole in the carpet

Don't tell ME I'm not pregnant!!!!

Do you think in the next three weeks they'll be squeezing under there together?

April 23 continued...

News.... TinTin is pregnant... well... she thinks she is.. ha ha ha. TinTin has been certain that the puppies that are coming are going to be hers. She's starting to glow. Last night she crawled into my side and nestled in. She's become very needy and sits and stares with a far off look. It's pretty cute. She tells me the only down side to having a false pregancy is that she's not getting all those extra meals.

In the mean time, Nickel is starting to do a little huffing and puffing when jumping into the car or onto the bed. As a matter of fact she's taken to climbing up via Corsa's step. Take a look a her pic and you'll understand why.

Waist measured 24 1/2 inches in morning and 25 inches same evening....

April 23 Day 44

My New Logo!

Alchmy Poodle by my friend Lena

Lynne, In response to your comment.... here's a typical sight in the neighborhood. We walk leash free in the mornings. I know some people will be unhappy with the thought but... it's just the way it is ;^) When people are walking toward or coming up behind us the girls know to sit and wait for them to pass. They know they're not allowed in yards, just the grassy strip next to the road, and they can't roam too far ahead. One command is 'stay with' which means they have to walk behind me. They also have to sit at the curb before crossing the street. Here's what it looks like (of course most of them have to carry something in their mouth during the 'parade.'

Mica, Nickel, Eureka, TinTin and Corsa

One day I was standing with them like this, waiting for the puppy to sit, and I looked over my shoulder to see a patrol car creeping up behind me. I took a big gulp and prepared to get a hefty ticket for having 5 dogs off leash. He rolled down his window and said, "I just had to stop because I couldn't believe my eyes." and drove away. Phew!

April 22 Day 43 Begin Week 6

Begin Last Trimester

A lot is going on in the next 3 weeks! Just last night there was a dramatic difference in Nickel's behavior. She was uncomfortable all night trying to adjust her positioning to accomodate the puppies, I'm sure that they're now pushing on her lungs. If she moved into a certain position she'd gag and cough. She also spent the night practically on top of me. She got me out of bed at 2am to go potty, not something she normally does. Thinking about how big the puppies are now it's no surprise especially when considering the number. Through this last trimester the puppies are going to grow even more rapidly and we will see Nickel's belly grow ... and grow.. and grow... I hope the next three weeks aren't too rough on our girl.

Here's a picture I took this morning of her Buddha Belly:

She found being on her back was the most comfortable position.

I finally clipped Nickel down last night and took off about 4 inches of hair on her jacket and bracelets. I'll be leaving the hair on her back and head so that I can continue growing her hair into a full continental. Having the hair off her sides and belly will help keep things neat and tidy during delivery and afterward. I'll give her a complete shave of face, feet and around the jacket today so that she can be free of grooming through the next month. She'll get a quick bath after delivery but that will be it for a while. I also want to be sure that there's enough time for some regrowth of hair on her belly... those puppy claws are very sharp!

I've been taking Nickel's Belly picture during our morning walk. In the last few days the other poos have figured out that Nickel 's been getting a lot of extra attention on that particular street corner. I think I mentioned earlier that Eureka seems to have appeared in the most recent pictures..... welll.... the whole gang decided that it's time to get involved! They wouldn't leave us alone.. ha ha ha.....

Dear blind Corsa Bella couldn't figure out how to maneuver around Nickel

April 21 Day 42

Busy work week... Seems like Nickel is growing faster than I can keep up with her ;) She's slowed down a little bit and is having to put a little effort into jumping in the car. She's still active and playing but taking lots of breaks.

Found a picture of TinTin when she was 40 days pregnant.... Nickel's in that belly some where!