I have tried this before, but with two litters at the same time the first time I ever had puppies, I had NO hope of keeping an online journal up lol. So I thought I would give it another shot now that I am doing what sane people do, and just having 1 litter HAHA!
We arrived in Alaska on day 8 of her heat and got our first tie the following day, April 29. My guess is she ovulated on day 8, so likely "took" on the 30th/May 1st. So that would make puppies due July 1st, give or take a few days on each side.
Our ultrasound was May 29th and showed 6 for sure, possibly a 7th. As ultrasounds are so unreliable, we do have our xray scheduled for June 26th. I don't usually use ultrasound to count at all, just ask the vet to confirm pregnancy and make sure there is more than 1 in there - just so I can start to plan for a cesarean if necessary. This time a brand new vet did our appt, and asked for the practice, so I let her try her hand at counting.
This is Ironhide's third, and final, litter. Her previous litters were at 4.5 years old (7) and 5.5 years old (10). She is now 7.5 and I have noticed several differences with this litter that I didn't see with the first two - 1) she is SUPER affectionate. While Ironhide is hyper social and literally will climb in any friendly strangers lap for a quick greeting, she isn't "affectionate", preferring to share space than be pet or rubbed. Well imagine my surprise when this dog is now sleeping ON me, it was my first clue, and 2) she is slowing HERSELF down. With her first two litters we were having to slow her down for her own good, right up to the last week of pregnancy, before she finally would keep herself in check. This time, I noticed by 21-23 days she was already slowing herself down and she sleeps A LOT - much like a normal pregnancy I would see with one of my Pomeranians.
I will do my best to post at least once a week through pregnancy, whelping and puppy rearing - I beyond excited for this litter, just keeping fingers and toes crossed a lovely female will be able to stay back to carry forward her dams torch <3
Once my post count is up to 3, I will post some pictures
We arrived in Alaska on day 8 of her heat and got our first tie the following day, April 29. My guess is she ovulated on day 8, so likely "took" on the 30th/May 1st. So that would make puppies due July 1st, give or take a few days on each side.
Our ultrasound was May 29th and showed 6 for sure, possibly a 7th. As ultrasounds are so unreliable, we do have our xray scheduled for June 26th. I don't usually use ultrasound to count at all, just ask the vet to confirm pregnancy and make sure there is more than 1 in there - just so I can start to plan for a cesarean if necessary. This time a brand new vet did our appt, and asked for the practice, so I let her try her hand at counting.
This is Ironhide's third, and final, litter. Her previous litters were at 4.5 years old (7) and 5.5 years old (10). She is now 7.5 and I have noticed several differences with this litter that I didn't see with the first two - 1) she is SUPER affectionate. While Ironhide is hyper social and literally will climb in any friendly strangers lap for a quick greeting, she isn't "affectionate", preferring to share space than be pet or rubbed. Well imagine my surprise when this dog is now sleeping ON me, it was my first clue, and 2) she is slowing HERSELF down. With her first two litters we were having to slow her down for her own good, right up to the last week of pregnancy, before she finally would keep herself in check. This time, I noticed by 21-23 days she was already slowing herself down and she sleeps A LOT - much like a normal pregnancy I would see with one of my Pomeranians.
I will do my best to post at least once a week through pregnancy, whelping and puppy rearing - I beyond excited for this litter, just keeping fingers and toes crossed a lovely female will be able to stay back to carry forward her dams torch <3
Once my post count is up to 3, I will post some pictures