Puppies coming!!

[TatumsMom]

We're so excited that the time is finally coming..... we gave Stormie the "deluxe bath treatment" this weekend - meaning she got to get in my big tub and get shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry treatment, the whole works. Then I shaved down her belly (this time she's got her thick winter coat) and got her all settled in her whelping area indoors. She's a content little mama-to-be! The only thing she's not crazy about is the "taking of the temperature thing". We're expecting the pups at the end of the week. Can't wait!!

[Sammy Mommy]

That's exciting. Good luck to you, Momma and puppies!!! Can't wait to see pictures!

[TatumsMom]

Thanks! I learned SO much for her first litter last year just by reading in the breeders forum on here. Lots of great info here...... even though I don't use it for Tatum, Stormie is benefitting from it.

[TatumsMom]

Babies are here!! Stormie had 5.... 3 girls, 2 boys - born yesterday morning. And her temperature was always within 98-99 all week. Guess that temp thing may not work for us like Debbie Jensen says. She did awesome.... all born within an hour, with the last one being breech but she did great. She's quite proud of her brood. Weird thing is there are 4 blacks and 1 red merle. That was a bit surprising since she had a wide mixture of colors her first litter. This is the most blacks that the stud has ever thrown also. He's a red tri. The people on our waiting list are not unhappy though.... apparently that's a great color to have. It's hard to see where each black one is in the picture but here they are......

[jacquelinebabco]

Congratulations. What a beautiful mom.

[bellemarie]

that is one adorable mommabear! she looks so happy and content... and pretty darn proud of herself! as well she should be !
glad all went well for ya both! i'd been reading your thread in the breeders sect, i take it you didnt miss the births this time?

[TatumsMom]

Originally Posted by bellemarie

that is one adorable mommabear! she looks so happy and content... and pretty darn proud of herself! as well she should be !
glad all went well for ya both! i'd been reading your thread in the breeders sect, i take it you didnt miss the births this time?

Funny you should ask .... Against my better judgement, I left for work yesterday morning (only because my supervisor had a bad tooth problem and was going to be out all day and I needed to be backup for her at the office) and got all the way to the town I work in (hour away) just for my husband to call and tell me she was panting and looking ready. Great! Turned it around and hustled back home (made it back in less than an hour!) to find him wringing his hands over 3 pups already (3 pups in 30 minutes)! I had time to help her with the last two. The only thing I told him he would have to possibly help with was the cord. Last time I held the cord right at the belly and let her chew to my fingers so she wouldn't get too close. There's an area on this road I commute on that doesn't have very good cell service so I discovered later that he had tried to call me right at that time and when it went straight to voice mail he just laid the phone down thinking he had ended the call. I have a recorded 3 minute conversation between him and Stormie where he's telling her "Momma says you have to chew the cord.... please Stormie chew the cord" over and over. Apparently after the first pup was out she got up to move to the other end of the box (after opening the sack and cleaning it off) but the cord was still attached to the placenta which was still inside. So she was dragging this pup around (only from one end of the box to the other) and he was freakin' out. But after she laid back down she took care of that one and the next two just fine (and yes, he held the cord). He was SO glad when I ran in the door!

I really had a gut feeling when I left the house but really didn't feel like I had much choice about work. Should have listened to my gut and saved the gas and time and frustration.

But all ended well! And yes, she is SUCH an awesome caring mommy that although we weren't planning on a third litter, we think we might do this one more time.

[bettyeanne]

Congratulations to you and Stormie! What beautiful babies. I can only imagine how happy your hubby was to see you but sounds like he did a great job.