Wasabi's Day

One asked me - doesn't the mom take care of everything so there is really not much to do?

The answer is yes - and no. Someone has to make sure they are on the overfilled nipple - that mom is getting enough food - getting outside to do her duty and getting cleaned up when necessary.

Then you are supposed to weigh the pups daily (we do it twice a day) - changing and sterilizing the whelping area.

Bonus - tonight I get to spend it all with the Wasabi - Woo... Such a lucky gal - pinch me!

Interesting Factoid

The smallest one is 6 inches from her nose to the base of her tail so I did not include the tail. She is 5 ounces. They truly look larger in photos.

A Mom's Job is Never Done

When a mom takes care of her pups, she cleans them, checks them out and stimulates their bowels. Even without stimulation, this crew seems to be going and she is making sure they stay very clean.

Our job...well our job is to make sure the ones that haven't gained are on the biggest nipple - the hair is tied up out of the way - that Wasabi gets to go out to do her business (although she gets frantic if away for more than a couple of minutes and sometimes we have to clean her as her system isn't back to normal yet - nor has it adjusted) and that she eats and drinks sufficiently. She has babies to feed.

This is not the first time for Wasabi and she is doing a really grand job with her babies. She adores puppies.

Until she feels she can be away for 5 or 10 minutes, the feet won't get dried when it is raining though it will get brushed and she is laying under a heat lamp and she won't get a full bath but we will get there.

Even the humans relax after a bit though not ever enough to not be aware.

Today we had one puppy pushing another across the floor to get to mom. It reminded me of ants pushing that big huge thing around and you wonder how. I watched for a couple of minutes then placed it at the nipple but I was amazed at the strength. They can squirm an amazing distance and the rugs that they are on helps them with their traction and helps build up those legs.

Even after a number of litters, I am at awe at mother nature - the softness of mom - the care that naturally kicks in but I always remember to hold Wasabi - give her loves and tell her how amazing she is - cause she is and any mom knows that when kids come into the equation - mom gets lost somewhere. Well, we can make sure she doesn't and when that happens - well moms go that extra mile as they know their special - don't you think? We are!

Pups: Before & After Cleanup

First 12 Hours: 5 Puppies

3 boys, 2 girls - how did we ever get here? We lost one despite trying everything to revive it. It never took a breath. We suspect it was separated from its life source and she didn't deliver it in time. We worked on it for 20 minutes - cried our hearts out and allowed Wasabi to say her goodbyes.

She's doing well concentrating on the others and boy are they interesting. One looked grey at birth - now all look black with a tad white but that can change.

We are doing the switch off with sleep - taking time to do walks with others - playing with the others - got to get to grooming - lots on our plate and we were supposed to go to our daughter-in-laws graduation and am fried and can't but want to.

I have to say - this has been an emotional time but the pups are gorgeous - Wasabi is amazing though a real mess after eating placentas and giving birth. But she has more important things to do than get looking great.

Last night - 2 of the pups were born half in and half out - heads first and she didn't push but they were eating half in and half out - what a site. No amount of coaxing got her to push till she was ready.

More later when I am coherent. And..it's raining... Pups are eating well...so we celebrate what is and are sad for what wasn't.

Bear with us til we get our balance here.

The Pups are Coming

Three boys - 1 girl so far doing well - one never caught its breath no matter how hard we worked on it..really really sad beyond belief. Still waiting for last one to come.

Who said this breeding business is easy - not I.

Not Last Night

Daddy got it in his head that Wasabi had to be watched very closely last night as she was panting - not deep panting but he stayed up half the night. Wasabi is still preggie.

Even I didn't think she would make it to today but the day of the picnic and the kids are still inside.

This morning poor Nathan was frantic looking for her as I had taken them downstairs and when I called then all back in - well no Wasabi so I figured off she went upstairs and where did she go - under the deck to build a nest. No more outside without a lead. Last time this happened I had to crawl through mud to get her out. I should know better. Fool me once...

Stay tuned to see if today is the day... She refused a treat - unlike her! Perhaps it is today.

Nesting Havanese: Near the End

Well, Mom I am doing that 'nesting' thing that we often do before puppies are born but I am not all that serious about it.

I am playing - finding a spot that might be fun to have my pups in even though Mommy has other ideas.

At least I am not nesting under the deck like I did last time when Mommy had to climb under the deck in the mud as I refused to come out.

You should have seen Mommy after that.

It gave new meaning to mud baths.

Daddy missed all the fun being out of town on business.


It's one of those days - those days you don't want to pick yourself off the floor days nor move the hair out of your eyes - buy why?

We all have them but especially at the end of pregnancy.

They say soon but..we shall see. Stay tuned!

Gazing Beyond the Water

Ok, mother nature is playing a cruel joke. The pups have started a rock band and my sides are aching.

I go out and chill at the water knowing I really do not want Mommy to have Daddy take me in anymore - oh I think I want to but I am not crazy about that drying business and Mommy insists as she wants me dry before these pups break out.

Can you imagine them making their debut to a soaking wet Mom?

Soon...well that's all those humans say...

Cooling Off in This Heat

Well, this morning the kids were kicking up a storm and I decided to lay down on the cool floor with my naked tummy. It DOES cool you off.

You humans have so many ideas in your head of what you can and can't do but I dare you to do the same and I bet you that you would end up cooler.

Well, today is the day they thought I was going to have these kickin' cute little bundle of karate kids - wel that is how they feel now but even though the day is over - mommy and daddy think not today. I could fool them.

I hung out at the pool and had a leisurely day. They tell me I need my rest before the debut then a mother's work is never done - or so they say.

I have some humans that love to help me so everything will be grand - I can feel it!

In between lounging, I got my feet wet and cooled off - gave kisses to the Treasured one..oh she does believe she is...and now we are back in the house cooling off.

I am sticking to Daddy lately as I figure he will feed me - wink wink.

Another day..and we are ready - whelping area and all...

Hours Are Ticking By

I am waiting...when will it happen, Daddy? They say when you are down to the last days you just lose your patience. It's hot, it's sticky and I keep nesting.

What is nesting? Well we try to build a nest for the babies that are coming. It's instinctive.

Mommy gives me a tweety bird to play with and small soft towels and I just have a blast rolling in them.

There goes Mommy's idea of keeping me groomed. hehehehehe

Close But Not Quite!

It's hot - sticky and oh my - are they coming sooooooon mom?



Mommy thinks not - probably weeks end but we shall see. The tummy has dropped. It's also quite hard now and she moans and groans out of discomfort.

This is breeder's remorse time - I tell ya.

But is she going to love having pups - yep. Right now she carries a little bird around that tweets that Yvonne gave her and covets it like its one of her pups. It's cute!

Cooling Off Period

Sometimes a gal has to cool off and this is one of those days.

Wasabi welcomed going into the pool today even though it was at a fraction of the heat we usually have it - okay it was within 10 degrees but that can feel a whole lot different from one end to the other.

Wasabi's stomach is starting to get really tight and she is expressing milky fluid now. It tells me it will be happening sometimes this week, I suppose.

If you look at this photo, you can see her wet and see how big she is getting. She is indeed uncomfortable. For her - I bet it can't happen any sooner.

Visiting Before I am Home Bound

Well, I got to see Downsey, Lola, Lola's pups, Flora Dora and the Mags this weekend. Yvonne thinks I have a good solid week to go and that means who knows what about the picnic.

We are in the home stretch of wait and see and figure it all out. I guess it is time for Mom and Dad to make sure everything is set up.

Soon...and when will this rain ever stop and my tummy stop growing...soon...

Nesting Havanese

What is this nesting thing about and what is it?

When it gets closer to the time, they tend to look for a suitable place to have their babies. They pull up the blankets - pule them up so neat and messy and have fun digging and creating what they think is the best spot to have their pups.

Wasabi has been doing this for quite sometime but more lately. She just digs at our covers on our couch trying to create a nest. It's a riot to watch and then she plunks herself down when it's all done to her liking and says there...

If you fix it the process will start again.

How Many Did They See?

My Mom and Dad took me for x-rays today and they said something about 401 and I thought they meant I was going to have 401 puppies. I thought to myself - IMPOSSIBLE and then for a minute second I thought they were serious.

My Mom and Dad is always honest with me but they were talking about the traffic on the 401 - not how many pups I was having. Now that was a relief.

They did count 6 and the vet thinks 9 days from now they will make their debut - go figure - just that day - but they could be wrong. Time will tell.

I am also sitting at 15.8 lbs not the 16 lbs mom thinks I am.

Will I hit the 18 mark - the vets think so- oh my 6 plus pounds more than my usual. A gal does get out of shape doing these things..

Weeds and Chemicals

The weeds are growing, the stomach is growing and it's only going to get worse. If the kids don't pull the weeds before Father's day, they may be as wide and as big as Wasabi is. tee hee

Tomorrow Wasabi goes for her x-ray and she's starting to slow down. Her tummy is a tad upset and she was out eating grass. We do not use chemicals on our grass and it sort of looks like we don't but we are safer with the dogs especially a pregnant Havanese.

Think about what you are using in your yards, folks with the dawgs...

Lounging Pregnant Havanese

Can I swim, Mommy? I hear tell Mommy is going to give me a bath tomorrow before I go to the vet. I don't think I need one - do you? ROFL

Lately I have been hogging the fan and the cool tile. It has to be about carrying all this extra weight.

Mommy is trying to figure out when I am due. She mumbles something about 13 connections over 12 days..and that means we have a huge window. It will be what it will be.

Pregnant Wasabi on the Move

Who says a pregnant Havanese can't run like hell? Wasabi is not letting the extra weight - what is it now - 16 pounds - 4 lbs of extra weight - oh well - the gal can run and flow like poetry in motion still.

Well, 3 more days till x-ray and we shall see what that brings.

Wasabi is back to regrouping after that run. heh Yes - she's more than fine but the naps get longer. It's a good thing as anyone who has had kids or puppies knows - a mother's work is never done once they are born.

Wasabi's First Pregnant Swim 2009

Wasabi had a wet day yesterday afternoon in the pool and she so looked forward to it.

Where Treasure wasn't exactly clear (1st time) at what was going on, Wasabi came to her Daddy to be taken in so she could get that weigh off her back.

I don't blame her.

Wasabi scrunched her wet body all over the place after the swim and then Mommy dried her, Kat and Treasure off. She had plans of getting up at 5am to do Treasure for the show but ran out of steam.

Wasabi adores her time in the pool and best yet was simply cooling off.

This Thursday - off to the vets for an x-ray. Exciting times coming soon but til then we will get more swims in.

We are hoping our son who is heading to Iraq and will be visiting on the 19th for a few weeks gets to see her pregnant and then gets to see the birth. Here's hoping.

The Cousin "It" Look Havanese Style

One can brush Wasabi and her hair is truly glorious. You could skip a week but I brush all the dogs for a few minutes each day on non bath days - more on bath days but 2 minutes after getting that hair out of Wasabi's hair - she scrunches her face - shakes it and makes sure she looks - well not brushed but I rather love the natural look. They are who they are and if they like messy - as long as its not a messy knot mess - well that's quite okay to me.

Wasabi is in that self grooming stage of her pregnancy. Sure the hair can be a mess but she likes clean. Will we get her in the pool today as well? We shall see.

Havanese Guilt With Pregnancy

Wasabi says... I hear you are doing a show and you are leaving me ALONE?? Well, not really, Wasabi. Dennis is here with you always and it's way too early yet but after her x-ray, Wasabi will be with us always.

When you are crazy, neurotic - ooops did I call myself THAT...people like us..well you worry and you make sure everything is okay.

That's okay as long as you don't let it permeate the way you deal with them - over indulging until they are spoiled brats.

Oh yes - you CAN do that. You can comfort, love, indulge but not coddle them to the point they don't function as whole and balanced dawgs. It's up to us humans to make sure they are whole.

So, yes it is okay to leave them alone but not when they are pregnant and they are in that last stretch. But those of you with Havanese - they are better off if you do leave them home alone from time to time so they gain their coping skills. Just be sure to ignore them when you come home till they calm down.

Get that guilt out of your head says me who listens to a hubby - but so and so really wanted to come.

Relaxing Pregnant Havanese

When your Havanese is pregnant, her frame of mind is important. You can't just take for granted that they are feeling all grand about this expanding waist line so it's up to the humans to make sure they know they are loved and will be there for them.

We tend to have a great relationship with our dogs with total trust but we earned that. Over and over again we prove it in various ways.

As you can tell with Wasabi, she trusts Nathan to hold and to care for her and to be there for her. She just thought that acting like limp jelly was comfortable and Nathan was the good egg to carry her around that way.

If Wasabi is on track and took early, then she is less than 2 weeks away from her due date. Next Wednesday we have an x-ray to count the youngsters and see where we are but with this one - we may be surprised. That's the problem with x-rays and ultrasounds..too many stories about the missed one and it is what it is....

All I can say is pregnancy is good for Wasabi's hair. I can use the junkiest shampoo and conditioner and it feels like fine silk. When I was pregnant, all I got was greasy hair. hahahaha

Prodding the Pregnant Havanese

What is it about a pregnancy but everyone that does it has a different idea of when I am due. Oh my she is so big...oh she's not that big - she has loads of time.

These humans....it is what it is and they will make their debut when they do. ROFL

A week from now I go for my x-ray and then a week after perhaps I will be busy with little ones.

As every pregnant female can understand... the body just doesn't move like one wants to now.

Havanese Puppies Kicking

Oh my gad the tummy is growing by the moment - or so it seems. Those kids..well they are having a party in there and I swear they are rockin' and rollin'!

I tried getting a shot while the stomach was moving - cause you really can see the rippling movement or that big round stuck out portion and then it moves..wow..it's wonderful to watch but poor Wasabi..she's getting the ahem kicked out of her tummy.

The gal has indeed slowed down. Instead of one of the firsts out the door, she's now being careful and making sure she doesn't get into the frey. She has already become protective of the pups inside.

What a wonderful experience - this Havanese pregnancy....especially with the Wasabi.

Out of Space Havanese?

When I wash a Havanese, I rubber band their ears up to the back of them so it airs out their ear canals and dries fully.

It doesn't matter that you put cotton balls in - those ear flaps tend to hold the moisture. But..they look mighty interesting that way.

I simply take a rubber bands, take the two ear flaps and hold them together and wrap the hair loosely together. I use the hair from the ear flaps but if they didn't have any feathering off their ears, I would use their actual ear - just loose but secure enough to hold them together.

You can click on any photos in our sites and see a larger view.

If you ever wonder what your Havanese would look like with ears held back, wet as ever - well now you know.

Give it a try and dry that underside of the ears out. You will be glad you did.
But tie them up after you do the initial brush out as it will eliminate any knots setting in. IMPORTANT: Do not leave it on long (just to blow dry and take it out when finished) and always loose. You are best to tie up the feathering (hair coming off the ear, vs. the actual ear flaps)

As to allowing them to run around before they get blown dry? Well it all depends on what type of hair and are they going through that blowing coat stage?

Wasabi hardly ever knots. So, she is an excellent candidate for allowing to roll, run and do all that fun stuff. Besides, she is preggie and fun she needs. Doesn't every pregnant female?

As you can see, the pregnant Wasabi had a bath and is doing a running all over the beds session before the drying but as careful as I am, she was making a lot of grunting noises of dissatisfaction.

As you can see in this photo (you can click on it to see a larger view), Abigail is ignoring the Wasabi mostly because Wasabi has got a tad moody as all those humans that have been pregnant can relate to. Abigail is a smart one. She just ignores it.

Still, before she gives birth she will have 1 or 2 more baths. So, I will be careful maneuvering her and listening to those grunts and picking her up from her bottom and chest area.

Wasabi is substantially larger at this point. With all her hair, it may be hard to tell but that midsection is awfully large. She is now sitting at 15.2 lbs. That's huge for a dog that usually is 11.5 to 12 lbs max.

She's only eating a tad more than her usual and she has yet to get in the stage where she can't eat but hey this time she didn't have morning sickness. It's absolutely a different pregnancy than her last.

If she is on track and her eggs was there when she first was bred, well she only has a tad over 2 weeks to go but we won't know till closer to the time. In 10 days she has her x-rays and we will see what we see.

She is sleeping on her back most times now and has stopped running out the door with the pack. She tends to stay back and come out in a leisurely stroll.

It's hell trying to manage all that extra weight. It's like wearing a backpack backwards.

Whelping Box for Our Havanese

Today we set up the whelping box.

Well Nathan did. I combed all the dogs but you can't tell that NOW.

We also took a video of it and we let Wasabi go check it out first then let the crew up to check out her new digs.

She actually growled to say..mine and that's good.

She was just telling them they can walk all around it but the inside of the boxes are hers.

The crew was highly curious and that is okay. This allows Wasabi to know she has a place to whelp the pups now. It also gives her time to gain her comfort about having the others see her pups too. All this exposure is planned and a very slow process. It is natural for a mom to protect her environment - the place she will whelp and then her pups when they come.

She will even get the pack working for her. She will call to the pack to protect her each time someone comes over new after the pups are born. It's done in a low bark and then they all rally around her to make sure no harm comes to her and the pups. It's quite fascinating to watch how much the pack works for the mom.

Later this week we will upload a video of her checking out her new digs.

No movement yet but boy is she big. We will be checking for movement to see if she is on track. We will let you know when we know. Exciting times coming soon.

Havanese Pregnancy Positions

Now that Wasabi is getting obviously larger, she's looking for ways to rest comfortably. Anyone who has been pregnant 'gets' what that means. No matter what you do - as you get larger and larger, the back seems to be the only thing you can use.

It's time to get the whelping box up (tomorrow) so she can lay in it, arrange it the way she likes and gain her comfort level. We will take pictures of her reaction.

We put a whelping box upstairs near us and away from the other dogs so she doesn't get stressed with all the others around. Last time she had no issues with Kat watching the pups at night or Risa helping her clean up but this year she has the highly curious Treasure and Fiona so we will play it by ear.

Exciting times coming a few weeks from now. We can't wait!

Pregnant Havanese Conserves Energy

My time flies when you are having fun. I laze outside on the lounge chair with a good book - okay that's Daddy's book - Mommy hasn't read a good book in eons... She mumbles something about grooming us and no she's not a martyr complaining - she just genuinely cares that we are knot free and as clean as we allow without her going nuts taking care of us.

She tends to be a bit much. The show dogs yeah but us dogs that have already done our time except Fiona who is blowing her coat (1 time this happens folks) - well she needs her down time too. I keep showing her how to get it but work, dawgs and that pesky garden that is growing up around us outside seems to be growing those weeds better than anything else. Oh well...

I am growing rounder - if that is possible. I have started making a crate comfie. I tend to hang out close to the fans and Mommy as she is my person. She just pampers me like I won a spa day each day. Now what gal wouldn't like that? I heard Mommy says she would die for even a neck rub. Oh well complain, complain - complain, Mommy.

Today when Mommy felt me, I am large but you can't distinguish the pups like you could a day or so ago. Now I have too much tummy covering it up. Funny how that happens in a day.

I guess when you only have 65 days max (59-65 days) it all changes daily. I seem to be way hungry but I can't eat large meals in a single standing. :-)

Motherhood is coming this month. I am going to get my rest before the pups won't let me for weeks to come. All of you human moms know what that is like.

Days of the Pregnant Havanese

Just because a Havanese is pregnant doesn't mean it can't have fun. Wasabi still runs around, albeit slower and loves to hang out on the cushions around the pool and be one of the pack.

We believe for the pups and for the mom that it is important to make sure she has fun in a safe way.

She also gets massages and belly rubs, baby talk and all the things that makes her realize she's special. It's important to get your mother to be to be in a positive state of mind.

Any human that has been pregnant knows that your emotional state goes up and down depending on your environment and your body - and it's the same for the canines.

If you have been reading the list, today is the day you should be able to feel the pups but she is ahead of schedule on that. I can't wait til they start stretching and kicking but I bet you - she can wait. hehehehe

Wasabi has already started to not eat everything in one swoop and now needs smaller meals more frequently.

So far...the pregnant one is well - enjoying and growing by the day.

Widening Berth of a Preggie Havanese

Well, Wasabi is still managing to jump up on things but we suspect she is going to miss sometime soon as they often do as they get larger and try to negotiate that extra weight as if its not there. It happens all the time.

Us humans get this thing called breeder's remorse watching them negotiate and although I make sure everyone gets many snuggles a day - we start doing massages at this stage to make sure she is calm, relaxed and enjoying this pregnancy.

Wasabi is already shaved on her tummy and closer to her due date we will do it again. This way she can feed the little ones without a mouthful of hair that mats and twists and - well knots. It's easier for her, the human who grooms her - me and for the puppies.

Wasabi has already started dragging her toy around - a duck that makes a sound. It's her baby till the pups arrive. It's ever so cute to watch her protect it not in a negative way. She gave her last birdie toy to her pups that she adored. That was a big thing as it was her fave and we realized that for kids, even some moms will give up their prize possessions for their little ones. Do the kids even realize - just like human kids - not always. hehehehe

Wasabi was up to 14 lbs 2 ounces - up from her usual 12.2. She used to be 11.5 always till she became pregnant and all you gals that have had a pregnancy and are not a celebrity with a built-in trainer knows - it's not easy to peel off. heh

More about these waddling moments and more tomorrow.>>

From the Start to Home - Havanese Conception to Going Home

I decided to leave http://talemakerhavanese.com/ as a daily musings of our lives with all our dawgs and separate the gestation to home into a new blog...called Havanese Life.

My goal is to give you a glimpse into the craziness of Havanese breeding and not just the fluff.

Let's start at the beginning - the heat... Havanese go into heat on an average of twice a year. If you have a male in your house, you are either breeding them to your female(s) or having insane times. Breeding shouldn't be done just to make your life easier or to make $$ as there are lots of hidden costs and you can't make much - certainly live on such unless you are breeding like crazy and then something falls apart beyond the ethics of such things and you can't possibly do what we do with our pups with such an operation. If your desire is to perfect the breed, then you may use your own male or you may go out and use another stud for a variety of reasons that should all compliment your female and bring something into the equation that helps you get something you are striving for.

Last heat we had a few gals in heat but only Wasabi being bred. Things were fine when she was being bred but Abigail who is not being bred till next heat had the focus on her. Males that are not fixed - well they can be a tad crazy..well tad is an understatement. Okay - they are over the top determined. They can stop eating - whine for the gals and their teeth chatter and you get NO sleep. It's awful. You suddenly don't know your male. You could send them out or send your females out and it would make life easier but then we tend to just deal.

We have separate doors in each room. We negotiate who goes out when - sleeping is separate - the marking and then finally its over. No one can tell you how it really is until you experience it. Then when it is over, your life returns to normal and your male is back to being his fun loving self.

When all that is done, you wait and you try to figure out if your female is pregnant. There are days you say - yes - days you think not or you are sure. It's a crazy game of waiting but at least it's only approx 63 days.

This is a calendar of sorts in this waiting game for our Havanese Wasabi who is pregnant now...

April 21, 2009 - first day of mating. (she had 12 others) - not the usual

April 22, 2009 - If the eggs are there the sperm travels to find the eggs.

April 23, 2009 - Sperm meets the eggs

April 24, 2009 - Fertilization

April 24-26, 2009 - Eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horn

April 27-May 1, 2009 - Eggs grow into blastocystes and implant in the wall of the uterus

May 2, 2009 - The blastocystes start growing into embryos

May 5th - 11th, 2009 - the dams nipples enlarge and turn pink and the fur on their tummies get thinner

May 12th - 18th, 2009 - Morning sickness can occur. It didn't with Wasabi but did her first time around

May 16th - 20th, 2009 - Palpation by an expert can occur to confirm pregnancy. You should not attempt this if you do not know what you are doing.

May 19, 2009 - the fetuses has transitioned into tiny beings (pups)

May 25th, 2009 - the canine mom's tummy grows by the day. Remember their pregnancy is much shorter than a humans.

May 27, 2009 - pregnancy confirmed with ultrasound.

June 4, 2009 - It's easy to feel pups although we could do this a week earlier just before the ultrasound.

June 7-9, 2009 - Canine mom may begin to get restless. She may look for a suitable place to have the pups. We get our whelping box up at this point and make it real comfie. She may spend time resting in it - getting familiar with it again. She may lose her appetite as the pups tend to grow. We tend to feed a lot of small meals to make this transition easier but still get sufficient nutrition in her without making her overweight. If a canine mom is too fat, it will make delivery very difficult if not impossible at times. C-sections are too common when your mom is too heavy. There are other reasons for a c-section but this is one contributing factor that you like to avoid.

It is also easy to feel movement at this time. We will try to get an upclose photo of movement in the tummy so you can see what it looks like - when it is time for Wasabi.

June 9 - 24th, 2009 - This is the time to shave the tummy, if not already done. Wash the tummy and make sure she is completely clean and ready for delivery. It also gives you extra time with the canine mom to make sure you have her in a positive state of mind - that she is loved and cared for and you will be there for her. Her state of mind is important and so is yours.

June 18, 2009 - X-ray is done to count how many they are and to give you an idea if the timing is on track.

June 19 - 22, 2009 - You should be able to express milky fluid at this time from the canine mom's nipples.

June 20, 2009 - You start to take their temperature twice a day. You are trying to get an indicator on when they are due to deliver.

June 23, 2009 - Twelve to twenty four hours before the canine's mom may drop from 101 to 98 degrees and then go back up again. You know pups are coming soon. Clear discharge may occur.

June 24, 2009 - Expected day of whelp but this is just an average. Whelping can occur from day 59 to day 65 from conception. With a mating over 2 weeks, it's hard to be accurate but Wasabi seems to be on track with this date if the changes that are occurring with her are any indicator.

We will be posting daily changes in Wasabi, her whelping, the pups straight to home and then some. We hope you will enjoy this look into how we do it. We promise not to sugar coat it but to be honest. It's a lot of work but a lot of joy. We hope you enjoy our journey.

More tomorrow....