Lyric has a date--with her new hubby!

[Ginny Nightingale]

So, it is now day 14 since the heat started and Lyric is sooo ready to find a man. My breeder has her for the week and introduced her to Bossa Nova (a.k.a. Leo) today. Leo a gorgeous apricot male with big waves in his hair, but is just 17 months old and up until today, he had no experience with the world of breeding. My breeder was pretty skeptical because he seemed to sniff Lyric with a lot less enthusiasm than expected and then would just wander off. He is also a bit shorter than Lyric and it seemed like there my be some logistical problems with that. The breeder planned to let them get to know each other a bit, then bring them to the vet tomorrow for some help with either a natural breeding or a "collection" from the male for artificial insemination. 

Well, Lyric was flirting like mad and even bringing toys over to Leo--she was doing all she could to get his attention. The breeder was encouraged, but still pretty sure nothing would get going. About a half hour later--she peeked into the large kennel area they were in and got a BIG surprise. Without going into X-rated detail, I will just say that Leo had more potential than previously thought and got the deed done. 

Later, when she checked on them again,it was all over and  they were both lying down and relaxing--probably wondering where they could get a cigarette ;)

The amazing thing about all this is Lyric's clockwork timing--she had her last heat on Oct. 18th and was bred on Nov 1 and 3. Then,  exactly nine months later, she had the heat start on the 18th of July and her progesterone level peaked on August 1 and she was bred and will be bred on the 3rd. So, I predict that she will have her puppies on the morning of October 1--exactly nine months after the last litter! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Congratulations.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Looks like Lyric might be expecting--she is beginning to show signs of morning sickness--just like last time--her food doesn't appeal to her and she is sleeping a lot. Here we go again!

[Ginny Nightingale]

The romance continues! After another successful tryst on Tuesday, the breeder planned to put Lyric and Leo together one more time Wednesday before sending him home. She came home and let Lyric out into the fenced yard and went in to change her clothes. When she came out, she planned to bring Lyric into the kennel with Leo but was surprised to find out that Leo had pushed open an unlocked  window that was four feet off the ground and JUMPED out of the kennel to be with his true love! Yup, they were at it again--I bring her home tomorrow and I have a feeling she will be EXHAUSTED! And lovesick, too ;) 

That Leo is some stud dog! Yikes!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Leo is handsome!!! How exciting!!! Thanks for not giving TMI!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Leo is really a cutie! Those are going to be irresistible puppies!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yes, I am really glad that this was a natural mating and that Lyric was ready for it--her whole behavior has matured and seems perfectly comfortable with the whole thing. I know that 9 months seems like a short time between litters but she had such an easy time with the first litter and recovered so quickly, that I want her to have her remaining two litters while she is still young and energetic.

 In truth, I worked a lot harder than she did with the first litter. After three weeks of devoted motherhood, she lost interest and went back to her old life. I had to walk her into the pen at the appointed times and convince her that these puppies needed to be fed! I bet she will be different this time. 

AND....Here is Leo--isn't he a cutie! 

[shelly]

Will wonders never cease!  Glad nature took it's course!

[F, Calla & Luca]

How risque and exciting. I hope sometime we get to see this young Lothario.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Congratulations Ginny!