Weekly Pupdate

We've just returned from the vet's for Hannah's weekly weigh-in. I decided to move her visit up a day since she's due on a Wednesday (three weeks from today!) and I'll weigh her that morning so I know exactly what she gained throughout her pregnancy.

So, have I mentioned I think she's carrying hippos? She's up nearly another two pounds (in six days) with today's weight at 53 lb 6 oz. Tummy girth is just up a half inch but that measurement seems to either change or stay the same as I think the babies jostle around and change position as they grow and grow and run out of room and start to squeeze themselves up into her rib cage ... which is where they hide when we x-ray to count skeletons and there's only seven and then out pops twelve! Anybody wanna place bets on how many she's carrying?

Hannah, the gal who could usually play outside all day long, is making it quite clear when she does not feel like going out. I open the door and encourage her out, she parks her little butt and that's that ... she doesn't move. She's more than happy to get out of everyone else's way as they fly through the door but she knows it more quiet and restful inside with me, and usually bowls of food magically appear. Funny how that happens.

Given this rapid and ever-increasing weight gain, I'm upping her food ration a little more, adding in another smaller meal. Frequent small meals throughout the day is probably more comfortable for her than big meals. As with her last pregnancy, she's shown no signs of morning sickness or any episodes of being "off her food". That's my girl, ever the bottomless pit.

I finally had to add some mesh wire to the other two gates in the yard. She might be a big ol' pregnant mama, but that hasn't stopped her from jumping up and through a 10-inch space at the top of the gates, four feet up. Rather than risk her hurting herself, the space is now closed in with wire. She certainly threw a few dirty looks my way when she discovered I put the kibosh on her plans for adventure.

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Tracking anyone?

Some days, I gotta wonder what I ever did with myself before I had dogs? What did I do with my spare time? Nowadays, there's no such thing as spare time and if there is, I quickly fill it with yet another dog sport. Like today.

We held a little mini Tracking seminar out here this morning, and Gracin and Paisley both got to try their hand, er nose, at tracking. It's seems like a rather easy (so far) activity and with the help of a fence post or two, something we can do on our own at home here. Several of the other pups came out to join in on the fun, including Andi, Diego, and Juno. It's SO wonderful to see our puppies out there with their families, enjoying all the many activities there are to do with an Aussie. Makes Hannah and I both very proud (even if she didn't show it today, she's proud of her kids).

And, speaking of kids ... last weekend in Edmonton, Emmy had the opportunity to go in the show ring with a young Junior Handler. This little Miss approached Shelley earlier in the weekend, after spotting the lovely Emmy, and asked if she could borrow her dog and then she returned on Sunday to collect her. Shelley checked on them a little later and when she asked how they were doing, the little girl sighed and said, "She even runs pretty". She handled Emmy in the ring like a seasoned pro. Pretty darn decent for a 13-month-old puppy to go off with a stranger, let alone a child, and still show very well. To quote Shelley, "Emmy has always been all about business (that is if she knows what the business is!) and Tammy did a terrific job with her.... I could go on and on about her, but you already know how great she is." Agreed.

Happy Trails ... Theresa

A baby hippo ... or two

We must be having hippos, not puppies. In to the vet's this afternoon for Hannah's weekly weigh-in and she's put on nearly two and a half pounds in a week! Current weight is 51 lb 2 oz. Her tummy girth is also up another inch. She's not sleeping in her crate anymore at night, but still sleeps almost beside it, she just appreciates a little more room to stretch out.

And heaven help us if we try to walk past her without stopping to rub her belly!

Still a month to go, but I'm already starting to think about whelping pools and warming boxes. Lots of white towels and rolls of newsprint. Rearranging Gracin's and Paisley's crates and putting away Hannah's to make room for the pool. And, of course, stocking up on ice cream. I had a ton of vanilla dixie cups on hand last time around because they're great to feed to Mom during labor. The ice cream provides energy in the form of sugar and, of course, calcium which is necessary during whelping to keep contractions coming and strong, as well as a little added hydration. Funny thing is, no matter how many times I offered her the ice cream, she wouldn't touch it. I, however, managed to polish off about a dozen. Sheesh, it's hard work for me, too!

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Enough already!

Is it my imagination, or has it been snowing FOREVER?? Just when I think it might be letting up, it starts snowing like crazy again. And the wind is even worse. I have drifts that you could lose a small child in ... heyyyy, now there's an idea. All I can think of today is Christmas trees and shortbread ... so I baked some.

The dogs are a little stir crazy, too. The only advantage they see to all of this snow is that now there are drifts so high they can almost step over the fence in spots and escape their dog yard.

Like I said, enough already!

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Finally Home, Go Flames Go

We headed into the city last night to pick up Gracin, somewhere right in the middle of the hockey game, much to Glenn's chagrin. The #1 highway into Calgary was atrocious, I can only imagine Tammy's harrowing trip home from Edmonton.

Gracin just about came out of his skin when he saw us, leaping into the air, carrying on like the silly boy he really is. I sure miss him when he's not here, probably why he rarely goes to the shows without me.

While at the show, Gracin had the opportunity to "meet" a handicapped gentleman in a wheelchair. Tammy said he "just knew" this man was special and met him with enthusiasm and gentleness. He circled round and round his wheelchair, pressing against his side. The man was able to pet Gracin with one hand and Tammy said when he did so, his head went back and he had the most amazing smile on his face as he caressed that beautiful fur with his hand. His other hand remained outstretched in a stiffened position, but Gracin would go to his other side and lick that hand and then bump his head up under his palm. They spent several minutes together, both delighting in one another's company. Auntie Tammy even admitted it brought a tear to her eye, she was so proud of our boy. Hmmmm, could we have a future therapy or "visitor" dog here?

Remember when I said Hannah seemed to "pop" overnight? Well, her tummy girth has gone from 23" a week ago, to 25" today. Seems our little walnuts are growing.

And yes, the Flames did pull off a do-or-die win. Yahoooooooo.

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Well, here we go, or should I say "grow" again. Hannah's pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound on Thursday. I should have known even without the ultrasound because her body seemed to just pop overnight and she has that filled out look to her. It was wonderful to hear the radiologist assure me she's definitely pregnant and all looks healthy. Yahoo. So many happy and excited people who have been waiting a long time for their puppy. Due date May 21, just 31 more sleeps. It seems you wait forever for them to come into heat (and she was really only a few days off schedule) and then the first four weeks until the ultrasound seem to drag on but finally, we're over the mid-point hump and I expect the next four weeks will go by quickly.

Our Alberta spring-time weather this past weekend has been brutal. Incredibly windy with a ton of snow and huge drifts in and around the yard. Hannah now has a shaved belly (for the ultrasound) so isn't terribly keen on spending a lot of time outside. She's happy to do her business and get right back in here. Pregnant or not, she still has no trouble clearing the fence to escape the dog yard. Naughty mama.

Paisley's head wound is very nicely healing, even with only one stitch left as it didn't take her long to scratch out the other two. It would be nice to think she may have learned a lesson about not chasing horses, but I doubt it.

Have had daily updates from Edmonton where Gracin and Emmy are both entered. Em went BOB on Friday, Gracin BOB yesterday, and today Gracin BOB and Emmy BOS. Incredibly proud to have one of my dogs playing in the group all three days ... of course a group placement would be even better.

And, just to prove I'm not totally obsessed with only dogs, here's a headshot of my new four-legged friend, Jazz. She's a 7-year-old Thoroughbred/Westphalian cross and I absolutely love her. She has SOOOO much personality and character, is delightful to be around, and a fabulous horse to ride -- or at least will be as soon as I learn where all her buttons are. She's got a bit of a funky look to her right now as she's been kept clipped all winter.

Happy Trails ... Theresa