Another litter for Lyric??

[Ginny Nightingale]

Cross your fingers everyone--Lyric was bred on Monday--this time it took forever for her progesterone levels to rise, the the breeding was about a week later than usual, so who knows what will happen. But if it worked, she will be due in early February--the dad this time is white and curly so the pups should be creams--what fun!

In the meantime, Rio has been quite a mess since Lyric has started her heat and, of course,  he can't go near her--she was with the breeder for a week and after the breeding, she came home and I brought Rio to a friend who has a great kennel. She has had Rio there before--but now he is older and more macho--I have already started noticing that dog aggression with him is increasing and at the kennel, he has had a very hard time adjusting to all the dogs around him. He is very nervous there and is growling at the other dogs and can't go out to play with them. SO, we have decided that it is not appropriate to keep him intact since this temperament trait is not desirable.....he is going to be neutered next week. It is a shame since he is such a handsome boy and is so good with our dogs and our family, but I agree with the breeder that temperament is most important. I also am anxious to see if he calms down after the surgery--he is a hyper-alert dog these days and I think the testosterone may be to blame--he has his "woman" (Lyric) to protect from other males and it is making him a bit crazed. 

It will be a relief to have this over with and then we can move on and hopefully raise another gorgeous litter--I am picking him up tomorrow before I go to visit my dad and he can come with me on a mini-vacation--it will do him good and will get him out of the kennel--then off to the vet he goes!!

[Sheila & Finnley]

Glad to hear that Rio is on the mend, and doesn't have to wear "the cone" at all. I'm sure things will heal quickly, and he'll get used to his lighter status fast enough too. Hopefully you will have good news about Lyric in the coming days !

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yes, he is much better today but still runs to his bed and lies down all day--I think walking hurts so he tries to stop moving--he didn't even need the cone--he has been listening to me when I say "leave it"--so that makes life easier. And he and Lyric can be in the same room as long as I am watching them--he is too uncomfortable to play (or anything else!) and she seems to know that he wants to be left alone. Progress!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Glad to hear Rio is home and doing okay.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Ginny, hope Rip wakes up happier this morning. I am sure it will be a better day.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Glad to hear Rio is home and doing well despite the sleepyness and slight depression. I'm sure it's just part of anesthesia still in his system. That can linger for awhile. Hopefully tomorrow he will be feeling better. The worst part is over, so both you and Rio rest up tonight !

[Ginny Nightingale]

Rio is sleepy and a bit "depressed" but otherwise OK! He woke up from the anesthesia so fast that I brought him home 3 hours early!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I will keep you all informed--we have a DKer who has a deposit on a Lyric baby so she is especially interested!! Yes, it is momma guilt--a llooonnggg time ago, I had a Lakeland terrier who was an AKC champion and a stud dog and at 5 years old we decided to retire him--I don't remember thinking much about it at all--too busy raising the kids! But now, I am with my doodles all the time and I worry about them as much as i did the kids! So, I will be glad when tomorrow is over and he is feeling better. The worst part will be not being able to give him any breakfast tomorrow! For a special treat, i am letting him sleep in our room tonight--which means he will be in my face waking me up at 6:30, so i had better get to bed!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Keep us all updated on Lyric and on Rio. Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly with no troubles at all for your darling boy.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Don't worry, Rio will be fine. It will be much harder on you probably because that Mama guilt is the worst kind.

Be brave Ginny, and let us know how he is feeling later after it's all over. Hoping the best for Lyric too !

[Ginny Nightingale]

Still can't tell if Lyric is expecting--she usually gets a bit queasy but no sign of that yet--she is eating well. Rio goes "under the knife" tomorrow--this is really a tough one--he had passed all his health tests and even had a good Penn hip score--but it is really important that the studs she uses are confident and calm, so off he goes to the vet! I feel so bad for him lying here at my feet unaware of what tomorrow brings....ignorance is bliss!