I saw all kinds of April Fool’s pranks floating around the internet on Friday but it’s no prank that Sally decided to have her puppies that day!
Her temperature actually dropped low on Thursday night so I was kind of expecting something after dark that night. But nothing happened.
Friday she was a bit more restless, digging her bed, but it was on and off and still nothing big was actually happening.
Her owners came to visit that evening. She was excited to see them but you could also tell she was definitely in the first stage of labor and she was panting, shivering and a bit anxious.
They left and I got her back in her crate and settled. A while later she let out a couple little low groan/howls which indicated she was having some good contractions. Finally we were getting somewhere!
I went to check on her after a she turned to look at her back end. The first pup was partially out. The sack was off, but only the head was out and it was turning purplish. It was stuck and wouldn’t budge. So I helped pull it out while Sally did her part. It was a bit uncomfortable and she yelped when the stuck shoulders finally dislodged and the pup slipped out.
Poor Sally didn’t know what was going on and just laid there, facing away from the pup. She didn’t lick it or even look at it. I gently curved her body around so her face was looking at the puppy. Then she was like, “oh, what’s this?” and starting mothering the wee pup.
It took her about two hours to safely deliver her four puppies. She has settled in and is being a great mom. And she must be producing cream because the pups are gaining weight like crazy!
We have three apricots (two boys, one girl) and one black and tan girl. These pups are F1b Cavapoos and will be matched with those on our waiting list.
Here’s the dilemma about matching and delivery of this litter…. (so if you are on our waiting list and interested in this litter I’d like your input, please.)
Our tentative matching day is Sunday, May 8th which is Mother’s Day. Not to sound weird but I lost my mom years ago, so Mother’s Day is just a reminder that I don’t have one. So I have no issues with matching puppies that day. But I would guess the majority of people probably do something special for Mother’s Day. My thought was to close the list on Thursday, May 5th instead of Friday at noon (our normal closing time before puppy matching weekend). Then try to start matching on Friday and if not finished, then do some calls later in the afternoon on Sunday. (I would assume most people do their celebrations for brunch or lunch)
The second potential problem is that this litter is due to go home on May 29th which is Memorial Weekend. My guess is most people actually do something special that weekend (family gatherings, camp-outs, etc). We don’t have plans so I have no issue delivering puppies that Sunday.
IF we bump out delivery day for another week (which isn’t ideal since the pups will be 9+ weeks old and I like them home bonding with their new families as soon as they are safe to leave mom and siblings) that puts us to June 5th.
And to throw another thing in the mix, I might have a litter due sometime between those two Sundays. And it’s a first-time mom so I kind of need to be there for her…..
Thanks for listening (reading) as I ramble and talk this situation out. I think with the potential litter possibly due closer to the 29th than the 5th we might be better off bumping this litter out a week for matching and delivery. But I’d still like to hear the thoughts of those interested in possibly being matched with one of these pups and what your plans are for the holidays! 😀