The final week--then puppies! UPDATE!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

We are now in the final countdown with 8 days to go until Lyric has her puppies--for those of you who are interested here is what I am doing--today, i set up the whelping box and got all the equipment and towels, etc ready to go. I shaved Lyric's belly today, preferring to do it while she is still comfortable and not in labor. Saturday we go to the reproductive vet for Xrays to do a puppy count. Lyric has gained 8 pounds so that COULD mean 8 pups. (about 3/4 to 1 pound per pup). 

Lyric's appetite is back to normal and she is eating like a small horse--I know that after the pups are born she sometimes has a queasy period again, so I am trying to get as much extra weight on as possible now while she still loves to eat. I am getting excited about seeing pups again--it has been  9 months since the last litter was born here.(Not Lyric's but another female I hosted for the breeder--Lyric's last litter was born on Sept. of 2011, so she has had a nice long break.) 

Here is Lyric with her sizeable tummy!

UPDATE: Just got back from the vet on 2/2 (My other doodle Mattie's 6th birthday, but the way) and we saw 7 little pups in there! I just hope she finally has some girls! So far, 11 boys, 2 girls, so we have statistics on our side....

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh look at her belly!!!!!  I am so excited for your puppy picture posts!  Lyric is so gorgeous!  

[Pam & Trixie]

How Exciting! Good Luck Lyric!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Good luck Lyric and Ginny! It is really an exciting time. Can't wait to see the pups.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Ginny, she looks great for being so close to delivery.  Wow, how exciting for you and I know how much work it is, but to have a new litter of Doodles in the house will be sooooo sweet.  Looking forward to pictures:)

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

How exciting.  Lyric's looking pretty good for being so close to delivery!  Here's hoping for an easy birth for all concerned!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

And one more thing--I may become a co-owner of a female from this litter--if we get a nice one--she has had only 2 girls so far!!!!! (Out of 14 pups--we are due!!) I would own the female with the breeder and would become a more active part of the business--I am so glad I retired from teaching and found something else to do--this is much more fun....

[Ginny Nightingale]

Here are some answers to questions--first I shave her belly for sanitary nursing --the pups can get to her teats more easily and latch on and there is less accumulation of dried yucky stuff.....whelping is messy!!!

Second, this is Lyric's last contract litter with the breeder--then it is my decision if she will have one more and if she does, i get a share of the puppy sales--I will make up my mind depending on how easy this litter is for her.

Sheila--the last pups born here came very quickly--I had three in the first 15 minutes--they practically shot out! I had to wake my hubby to assist--he was reluctant at first (he is a wimp!) but enjoyed it eventually. Lyric has had her first two litters in less than three hours--6 pups and 8 pups.

And Lyric was RUNNING around the yard with her son today--not as fast as usual, or as long, but still....running!

Sandy--I do not use warming lights--I have a heater in the room and keep the whole room at 75 degrees--it is pretty tough to do in February in a 220-year-old house that has no insulation and uses woodstoves, but the heater does a good job.

I do help if she needs me--I stay right there with her but not all breeders do--Lyric and I make a good team though and she seems to want me there to help and is not bothered by it. It can make your relationship with your dog even closer somehow--we trust each other and it is a wonderful bond. I never have a bit of trouble with her. Some bitches protect their pups from the breeder or owner, but Lyric does not, so I handle the pups a bit and my friends that know Lyric well are welcomed by her as well. Everyone removes shoes, rolls up pant legs and washes hands first though!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Can't wait to see those puppy pictures!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Congrats a little early Miss Lyric!  Can't wait to see your beautiful doodle babies! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wishing the best of luck to sweet Lyric!