Any Upcoming January Litters?

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by motherhen

Tammy, you made perfect sense. Do try to get some little cat naps here and there, so you'll be ready when the time does come. Also, try to drink some extra water -- that will help you to not get as run down as quickly.

Thanks...I will make sure to rest as much as I can today. Maybe I will during my son's nap today. Livi is currently under the ottoman sleeping herself so I don't see things changing anytime too soon.

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Yes it makes sense, and if she ovulated late then she would not have conceived at the time of the tie.

I don't recall how long the sperm live. But she should be having them soon.

Question. How do you know exactly when their heat starts? I rarely see any blood with my girls, I go by when the other dogs start to do a lot of sniffing.

sperm can live up to 7 days, so depending on when she ovulated give or take 7 days, she is close but is very important that those babies are ready, and her body will determine that..
best of luck..
hugs,
Carmen in nj

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by carmen in nj

sperm can live up to 7 days, so depending on when she ovulated give or take 7 days, she is close but is very important that those babies are ready, and her body will determine that..
best of luck..
hugs,
Carmen in nj

This is exactly what my husband has been reminding me of. I am just the type of person that stresses and likes things to be done a certain way. It's best for her babies to have this time to continue to grow....I would be VERY hearbroken for her to have more 2oz. babies!! I know they are bigger, though...they move and her WHOLE stomache will move up and down. It's sooooooo different than her first litter...where I could only feel them moving. This time, they literally move the sides of her tummy where you can see them from across the room. LOVE IT!!!!

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

This is exactly what my husband has been reminding me of. I am just the type of person that stresses and likes things to be done a certain way. It's best for her babies to have this time to continue to grow....I would be VERY hearbroken for her to have more 2oz. babies!! I know they are bigger, though...they move and her WHOLE stomache will move up and down. It's sooooooo different than her first litter...where I could only feel them moving. This time, they literally move the sides of her tummy where you can see them from across the room. LOVE IT!!!!

oh girl I hear you, I am just like that, I keep so close count of when I breed my girls that my husband calls it the whelping obsession..LOL and I KNOW how hard are those last few days, my chanel was SO huge I started to feel guilty every time I saw the rumble inside her.. and I found myself apologizing for breeding her.., I know your Livi will have gorgeous cute babies and I can't wait to see them..
hugs to you both..
Carmen in nj

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by carmen in nj

oh girl I hear you, I am just like that, I keep so close count of when I breed my girls that my husband calls it the whelping obsession..LOL and I KNOW how hard are those last few days, my chanel was SO huge I started to feel guilty every time I saw the rumble inside her.. and I found myself apologizing for breeding her.., I know your Livi will have gorgeous cute babies and I can't wait to see them..
hugs to you both..
Carmen in nj

You are too sweet...thank you! I have done the same with Livi...especially after her last litter and all that happened. I can't tell you how many times I cried and told her how sorry I was. I will feel so much better once I get to see these babies.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

You are too sweet...thank you! I have done the same with Livi...especially after her last litter and all that happened. I can't tell you how many times I cried and told her how sorry I was. I will feel so much better once I get to see these babies.

Oh I did that too when Ollie lost her litter, I just hugged her and we both cried. Then two days later, Harlie had her babies and I was sooo happy to be able to give Ollie one of those babies.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

I would imagine the other dogs (especially the boys) would be a great indication. For Livi....I just know because she starts acting different and then within a couple of days, she starts licking. Livi is one that once you are around her, you feel like you can read her thoughts because she is sooooooo expressive with her eyes. I always know when she needs or wants something...plus, she likes to come and sit and stare at me until I get it. She's probably thinking..."Geesh, humans...have to teach them everything!"

I always have thought that the intelligence of a dog is in how much they teach you, not in how much you can teach them.

[kpstoybox]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Oh I did that too when Ollie lost her litter, I just hugged her and we both cried. Then two days later, Harlie had her babies and I was sooo happy to be able to give Ollie one of those babies.

Awe..reading this gave me goosebumps! What a beautiful ending to such a tragic loss!!

[TammyJM]

I think it's safe to say that things are progressing with Livi. She shot out from under the ottoman and has been licking NONSTOP! But since she can't reach where she is trying to lick because she is too big now, she then starts licking at her back legs. Not only this, but she is also biting at her legs and when her little tummy tightens up, she is chewing at the sides of her belly. Is there anything that I can do to comfort her with this pain? Obviously, I know with women a warm bath helps, but she would flip out if I put her in a tub right now! I have been sitting and rubbing her tummy, but that doesn't really seem to distract her too much.

Any suggestions?

[motherhen]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

I think it's safe to say that things are progressing with Livi. She shot out from under the ottoman and has been licking NONSTOP! But since she can't reach where she is trying to lick because she is too big now, she then starts licking at her back legs. Not only this, but she is also biting at her legs and when her little tummy tightens up, she is chewing at the sides of her belly. Is there anything that I can do to comfort her with this pain? Obviously, I know with women a warm bath helps, but she would flip out if I put her in a tub right now! I have been sitting and rubbing her tummy, but that doesn't really seem to distract her too much.

Any suggestions?

Rubbing her tummy is good, and talking to her. Offer her water, and just being with her will help her. I always turn on Country Classics really low, and the music seems to calm her some too. Dairy farmers always have music playing when they milk cows, because it calms them. Hang in there, we're all praying for Livi and you!

[WinstonMom]

Poor baby, maybe a nice warm blanket out of the clothes dryer would help. My girls always like to just lay on my lap and I stroke them and talk to them softly, but I have never had one biting at herself. Best of luck for a fast and safe whelping. Glad to hear that things are progressing.

[AHicks99]

So happy to hear things are progressing with Livi. May sound funny but talk to her as Im sure you do but talk to her about whats happening and whats going on. For example when she is having contractions talk to her about the contractions just like you would a human. Encourage and praise her.

This technique seemed to work with my female. She would freak the same way and bite the pain. So I would sit and talk to her. Seemed like she understood what I was saying and it would actually comfort her. While I would talk to her she would just stare at me and absorb what I was saying. Looked like she would block the pain, another thing I would do is lay on the floor with her and let her lick me. I would make it known to her I wasnt leaving her side and that it would soon be over. And by her third litter she wouldnt attempt to bite the pain.

Again wishing you and Livi the best. Keep us posted. I know there are a lot of us awaiting the new arrivals.

[Pinehaven]

I always talk to my girls when they are having contractions, I stroke them and reassure them and tell them how good they are. I am by their sides so they know they are not alone and some get very upset if I leave them for even a moment.

Just be a mom and Livi will be fine.

Good luck Tammy and Livi. Praying for the perfect text book delivery, with beautiful healthy pups and a happy momma.

[luckylady]

Oh Tammy, I am so glad to hear that it seems things are finally getting underway. It IS so hard for us to see our "babies" in pain and/or uncomfortable and I agree with the other responses of talking in a soothing tone to her, being by her side (or where ever she wants you to be), getting her to focus on you and your words rather than her discomfort.
We are all here for you and Livi wishing you a safe and successful whelping experience. Hugs to both of you!

[JeanieK]

Oh no babies yet. I hope everything is OK.