These photos are from day 53 and 55.

Her milk came in on day 52 and he belly has dropped drastically as of yesterday. I will get some new pics today.

She is absolutely ravenous - I feed her 3 cups of kibble in the morning (1600 calories), another cup at lunch (525 calories), and about 3 lbs of raw in the evening (at least another 1200 calories). She is now consuming as many calories as my big male who is 94 lbs!

She only walks for very short stints now. She went from 45 minutes of walking last week (along with regular training), to only 15 minutes at a time this week. So we do three 15 minute walks a day, and then just allow her to decide her activity around the house. We did a little bit of training on Wednesday, maybe 15 minutes, and she was done. She spends most of her time around the house sleeping. She grunts when trying to get up, and lets out a HUGE sigh when she lays down.

As of this morning, she can no longer scratch herself effectively. She can't bend sideways nearly at all anymore or get her legs around her belly without great effort.

We have a quiet weekend planned, getting the final touches on the whelping room, giving her a pre-puppy bath, and setting up the new sleeping quarters (As of Sunday, I will sleep in the whelping room with her)

We also have her xray scheduled for Monday, so I will get a picture and post here. Everyone can try their hand at counting!

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The above should say day 53 and 54 - oops!

These are from today, day 55! We are getting close, and the countdown to puppies begins tomorrow

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Holy cow! In the overhead pic of her lying on the floor, she looks like a groundhog....a head and all body!
I'm so excited for you, I'm looking forward to the puppy pics! Unlike Cheri, I have no breeders nearby....and I'm relying on your updates for my "puppy fix"!!

And I'm more then likely going to be out of town when the big event happens. $@#&^*( !

Do you plan on keeping any of the pups so we can see It's progress?

Niomi, what a pity, she has to suffer like this before giving birth. Are you very nervous or concerned how everything will go? But certainly also with lots of joy and looking forward to welcome the puppies. Must be a breathtaking experience .

The fotos by the way are totally sweet!!!

 Quote: Bob Scott

And I'm more then likely going to be out of town when the big event happens. $@#&^*( !

Do you plan on keeping any of the pups so we can see It's progress?

I'll post a lot of pictures

My hope is to keep back a nice female to carry on her mother's torch. It will depend on how the litter turns out.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Niomi, what a pity, she has to suffer like this before giving birth. Are you very nervous or concerned how everything will go? But certainly also with lots of joy and looking forward to welcome the puppies. Must be a breathtaking experience .

The fotos by the way are totally sweet!!!

Yeah, this last week is usually the most uncomfortable part of the pregnancy for Ironhide, but all of my girls have been the same. It's only a week and she is catered to day and night, it will hopefully be onto the next phase soon

I'm always nervous before whelping a litter. I re-read basic whelping information, watch some videos and try to see if any new tips, tools or practices are being implemented. Basically "brush up" on my info.

I also have a very good relationship with my vet and she is actually on my wait list for a puppy. She is the on call vet for the entire July long weekend. So I know she's got my back if I need her.

Gosh, I'd be unbearably nervous! But of course, if I had experience with all this it would be easier. I'm already very very curious !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you're doing great, continuously evolving your knowledge and experiences and being well prepared. Congrats! If only all breeders were like this.

How did you get those 3 dogs posing so professionally side by side on that picture? Do you have also a school for dog models?

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Gosh, I'd be unbearably nervous! But of course, if I had experience with all this it would be easier. I'm already very very curious !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you're doing great, continuously evolving your knowledge and experiences and being well prepared. Congrats! If only all breeders were like this.

How did you get those 3 dogs posing so professionally side by side on that picture? Do you have also a school for dog models?

Thank you Christina <3

LOL - its just a stand stay, nothing fancy They are asked to put their paws on the log, then stand stay. Then I throw something in the air for them to "track" and take the shots. It takes a few times to get everyone looking in the same direction hahaha!

Her pictures from the weekend

Her belly has "dropped" and it now swings around when she walks. She has refused a few meals, but I think we still have a few days yet. Last night was our first night sleeping in the whelping room together. She was very uncomfortable and kept me up most of the night. The xray is today, I am so impatient, I want to know how many we are to expect lol!

Today will also be her first day at the office with me. She will lounge under my desk so I can keep a close eye on her. Thank Dog for awesome boss's!

I also started a Goat Leg/Lamb shank meaty bone broth - I will use this while she is in labor and post whelp to entice her to eat or at the very least drink. I was gifted 300 lbs of imported Goat and 300 lbs of imported Lamb (Australian) - so the puppies will be very, very spoiled once they switch to food too! LOL

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