Are we there yet ?

Rag is a bit restless today and has just went into her pen for a lie down, things could be happening sooner than first thought. I have been thinking of pedigree names for the pups and at the moment I am favouring a beach theme as we live so near to the sea and spend most of our walking time at the shore, such as Harbour Master, Pink Coral Reef,and Pearl of Wisdom to name but a few. Pet names I have decided on so far are the characters in Charmed i.e. Pheobe, Paige, Piper, Pru, Cole and Leo may have to think of more boy names though. Everything is in place and I am now just waiting for the big event, friends that are more experienced than I have offered help if needed, the vets number is in my mobile and the car filled with petrol just in case. A very exciting time if not a little bit tense, as long as Rag is OK and the puppies are healthy that is all that matters. Will up-date as things progress.

Not long now

Rag is getting so big, I am feeling so sorry for her as you can tell she is unsure what is happening to her body. Her health is well and appetite good and she is now sleeping in the puppy pen without her crate and a great big bed so she can stretch out. I am getting excited but anxious as my baby gets nearer to becoming a mum but have all the backup and help on hand for the birth and after care. Took Cas and Sasha to a fun dog show at the weekend but decided to leave Rag at home as it would have been to much for her, Cas got fifth in Best Rescue and Sasha third in Sporting Dog. They have spent time out in the paddock as the weather has been so pleasent and sunshine and excercise is good for them. Back down to the beach tomorrow for some time in the sun and moderate excercise, will maybe take the camera for some photo,s.

Entering her 7th week

Rag is now in her seventh week of pregnancy and doing very well. Our house guest has gone home and Rag is a happy whippet as she does not have to wear her muzzle any more. Have not weighed her this week but she getting rounder and the nipples are starting to change colour with the outer edges starting to rise, appetite is good and her belly coat is starting to shed.

Out for a Walk

Took all the hounds out for a beach and wood walk today and took a couple of pictures. In these ones Rag looking swell. It is very diificult to tell a whippet not to run or jump, therefore the halti is on to keep better control of her.

Little Big Rag

Well Rag is progressing well in her delicate state and has started to lose her "tuck up". Her weight has increased from15.3 on the 30th April to 16.3 to date. Rag has also found her appetite again and is having two meals a day of puppy kibble along with her meat, multi vitiamins in the evening feed and alternate days she is having cottage cheese and boiled egg. All going well and excercise is now monitered.

This is a picture of her whelping pen, still to be modified.

Holiday Guest

Well Rag is keeping very well and is starting to put on a bit of weight, all in all she is doing just fine. Roxy is proving to be a perfect house guest, very well behaved and a friendly happy little dog. Rag on the other hand has decided that Roxy is the enemy and is not enjoying her company at all. Sadly it means that Rag is having to spend part of her day with her muzzle on, she does accept it and is going around with that "take pity on me" look. Went down the beach today and the dogs had turns of being of lead. All resting nicely.

The Holiday Weekend

Rag has had a great time going down the beach and along to the local Sunday Market to gets loads of attention from the shoppers. She is entering her fifth week and excercise must be curtailed a bit so she is allowed of lead for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, excercise is still important but not to much and certainly no jumping or streching, try telling that to a whippet. Tomorrow we are meeting friends at a local walk and will be bringing home a whippetx named Roxy for her holidays, fingers crossed that Rag gets along with her in the house as she does out doors. This is a picture of Roxy.

VET CHECK

Took Rag along to the vets to have a checkover and the vet is more than happy with her progress. Her weight has not risen dramaticaly and she now sits at 15.3 kg. I have started to add cottage cheese one day and then the next boiled egg to build up her food intake. Her nipple are looking more predominant and in general her temperament is very loving. The whelping kit is organised and puppy pen in place, this is where Rags crate has been placed to get her adjusted to staying in the pen.

The meeting of Noah and Rag has been successful and Rag is now in her 4th week of pregnancy. All is going well and whuppies should be due at the begining of June 2009. On her last outing to Selkirk Open show Rag was placed third in Whippet Graduate, this will be her last show until well after the pups are born.

Gone to Stud

Rag and Noah met on the 4th of March 2009 , there mating was successful.

Rags show name is Scottish Girl by Berwicklaw 28/11/06 and was sired by Stormforce Lionheart and dam Tealas Sophie Bea. Noahs show name is Shardbeck Aldin via Aronje 18/02/06 was sired by Oakbark Millenium Gold and dam Loiapl Hopeful Bliss at Shardbeck.