Lyric's pregnancy?!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that my 2 1/2 year old ALD Lyric is pregnant. She was bred two weeks ago and so far all signs point towards a successful breeding. However, we won't know until the middle of December when we do an ultrasound. I just thought it would be fun to keep a record of her pregnancy and the whelping, especially for people who have never bred a dog and are curious about it. I have never done this before either, so I am learning as I go along also. Luckily, I am in a partnership with my wonderful breeder and I was a biology teacher for 34 years, so I should be able to handle all that this experience has to offer. And I will be doing my homework over the next 7 weeks as we await the big day.

Right now, for example, I am waiting for the breeder to call me from a town about 20 miles away, where she is sitting with one of her dogs as she transitions into labor. As soon as the bitch starts pushing, I am heading over there so I can see a whelping first-hand and be more prepared. This is Bel's third litter and four chocolate LDs are expected, so it should go smoothly.

My breeder has done all the health tests on Lyric's eyes, hips, elbows, etc that assure us that Lyric has no genetic defects and the same is true for her hubby, Remy. So, with any luck we will have a nice litter of healthy puppies. Lyric was 2 in July but didn't have her third heat until October, nine months after her last heat. Lyric's progesterone level was checked after 7 days of bleeding and again at ten days into her heat. The level that indicated ovulation would occur roughly 14 days after Lyric's heat began. Remy is a bit shorter than Lyric--so, natural breeding didn't really work out, although he gave it his all. We ended up collecting his sperm and using Artificial insemination on the 14th day, the 16th day and the 18th day. That was two weeks ago and so far, Lyric seems normal except for having a bit less energy. She is normally a very energetic dog, so this has been a welcome change!

That's all for now--hope you enjoy taking this journey with me! Here's Lyric and Remy!

Nov 18th--I did my homework! I went to see Bel deliver her litter of four pups last night. But, the assignment was too easy! My breeder called me when Bel started pushing and I jumped in my car at 10:30 pm to drive 20 miles to help out. When I got there, three pups had already popped right out (DARN!) with a fourth still up pretty high (we could see the bump on her side). Bel had a short rest then had contractions for about 1/2 hour and popped out the fourth pup. No big deal! She did make it look easy and i hope Lyric has as easy a time, but, since it is her first litter, not her third, I don't expect the exact same experience.

These pups were all chocolate since Bel is a deep chocolate and was mated to a chocolate poodle, but with Lyric it is anyone's guess. She carries the black and white as well as chocolate, so we could have cream and chocolate (sounds yummy), black and white, chocolate and white, etc, etc. It should b fun to see what we end up with.She will be due the first week of January.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I am so glad you are doing this as I will be going thru it in about a year. My 7 mo ALD hasn't had her first heat yet (it should be pretty obvious, right?) I feel like I don't know anything about this and so am eager to learn and follow your progress. Is Lyric's lack of energy or change of energy level the only symptom that makes you think she is pregnant?

[Candy & Hudson]

I can't wait to hear more and see pictures of the puppies!! Its so exciting to see what the puppies markings and colors will end up like. There were so many different looking pups in Hudsons litter, it was like a rainbow! haha

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Be sure to post the ultra sound pictures when you have them done. We can have some guess the number pups fun.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It will certainly be interesting to follow Lyric (and you, Ginny) on this journey. I sure hope everything goes well. When would the pups be expected?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

This will be fun going through this with you. It will be a first time experience for a lot of us!!

[Kathy Spyker]

I'll be watching!! Can't wait to see what the pups will look like. Lyric and Remy are both beautiful doodles. Good luck!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This should be interesting and fun not only for you but also for us, your reading public!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Lyric is going to be a beautiful mom and as for Remy, he may be small, but he is gorgeous. I wonder what the pups will look like?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Let us know once the ultrasound happens!