I'm not dead, just busy.

Just thought I'd share that Capri **looks** to be pregnant. Those of you who have a special reason for caring can probably start to get excited. I moved and haven't been able to get her into a vet w/any decent technology at a time that works with my hellish new schedule, but I don't think it's my imagination. She definitely appears to be growing wider. Still keeping fingers crossed for a nice, HEALTHY litter and that she remains healthy as well. She is absolutely phenomenal. Even more than I had hoped.

Ok, forget "looking" pregnant; the poor girl is HUGE. I'm thinking like 8-10+ puppies huge. She's due on the 3rd of June...so we're getting close. I'm a little concerned that she's carrying so many for her very first litter. True, she's young and healthy, but I just was kind of hoping for a nice 5 pup litter that she could easily handle. I know...I'm paranoid.

To those of you who do this all the time: what's your opinion on Oxytocin? Keep it on hand just in case, always give it at the end, or avoid it unless absolutely necessary? I have gotten differing opinions. Just want to be prepared for anything that could crop up, but I of course want to keep things as natural as possible and avoid any unnecessary chemicals.

Like Randy said....that's how Jack Russells were created. LOL.

Hey Jenni, did you have any interest from "working homes" ? Anyone who you know for sure will do any dog sports like Sch. with the pup?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Nana??

I haven't advertised the litter yet(got kinda busy and then all of a sudden, it's almost time,lol), but so far, out of the people who just heard about Capri's arrival and were interested in her, there is one working dog person who is interested (not saying he will title the dog in Sch., but he's not a "pet home" per se) and the others are LEOs. I am thinking that even though Capri is titled, she is MUCH better suited to "real" work than sports, and her pups may be the same, so the LEO-dominated interest isn't a bad thing. Her sire and his littermate are 2 of the 3 stud dogs in a K9 training facility's breeding program. She is, from what I have heard from those who know her dad, quite a bit like him.

Capri is not for a newbie, so I am going to have to be really careful where these pups go. Of course, they may not end up like her, but if they do, they will not be suitable for just any home. That's another reason I wish there were a couple less...homes that are up to my standards are kind of hard to come by, especially for dogs like that. Thinking I may need to find 10 of them in the next 8 weeks is kind of nervewracking.

Congratulations, Jenni! I am sure you will find homes for your pups that fit your standards. You wouldn't have bred her if you didn't feel confident.

(Chalk the nerves up to "nesting" syndrome..lol.)

You and she will be fine.

Thanks Jo and Sheila! Jo, you're right; I'm not "worried" about finding good homes for them-they should be phenomenal pups- I'm just taking it a bit more seriously than posting an ad and selling them to anyone w/a checkbook.

Thanks for your vote of confidence;-).

I'm sure you'll find good homes for them all. It just would have been nice for you to see the pups worked so you could see how they turn out. Maybe some of them will decide to though, when they see what they've got.

 Quote: jenni williams

Ok, forget "looking" pregnant; the poor girl is HUGE. I'm thinking like 8-10+ puppies huge. She's due on the 3rd of June...so we're getting close.

Congrats Jenni! That's quite exciting, but I can understand how the situation would create a lot of stress for you - sounds like there's a ton going on in your life, completely unrelated to dogs, and now you're preparing for the birth of what could be whole pile of very serious puppies, who will need very serious homes. You'll certainly have your work cut out for you, but I have no doubt you'll be able to handle it all beautifully , and I'm REALLY excited to see pics of all those little spitfire pups!

Best wishes to Capri for a smooth and uneventful whelp, and may all the little ones arrive healthy and robust.

~Natalya

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

Best wishes to Capri for a smooth and uneventful whelp, and may all the little ones arrive healthy and robust.

Ditto...Natalya always says it best!