This page is a diary of events leading up to the whelping of the puppies. In addition to this page, you might find the Whelp Development page interesting, as it summarizes the prenatal development of puppies, and shows Keeper's ultrasound images!
Countdown to Puppies 
Note: Day #s shown in parentheses are based on final breeding date. Add 4 days to calculate day # based on first breeding date.
CLICK HERE FOR KEEPER'S TEMPERATURE CHART
May 6 -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PUPPIES! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA TYLER! (Tyler was born on May 6, 1994!)
The two top photos were taken about 11:00 pm on May 5, after 8 of the 10 puppies had been delivered and Keeper was taking a well-deserved rest. The bottom two photos are from 9:30 am today (May 6), with mom and nine puppies: 6 girls and 3 boys. Unfortunately the last puppy to be born came after a prolonged time in the birth canal and we could not revive him. Keeper was exhausted at that point and was having a hard time mustering the strength to help us get him out. All the other puppies are strong and healthy and hungry and active and noisy!!!
First of all, Keeper and I give our heartfelt thanks to our midwives: Monica Miller, who, prior to this experience, had never whelped puppies (or anything else for that matter) before. She now has more intimate experience with the process than she ever thought possible. Cathy Horrocks, who came from teaching on Saturday at 8:00 pm and didn't leave until Sunday at 4:00 am, yet will be teaching her agility classes this morning (and all day). THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
For a detailed account of the birth and a little about each puppy, go to the Birth to Week 1 page.
May 5 (Day 58) 11:00 am: The nesting instinct has taken over, and it appears that we're in the midst of a temperature drop (is it THE drop?). Several minutes of frantic digging and rearranging blankets in the whelping box is followed by a period of deep sleep, which is followed by a trip to the yard to go potty. This cycle is being repeated about once every half hour! As I type this, Keeper is in the massive nesting mode! She also refused breakfast (even yummy chicken or canned dog food -- not normal behavior!), so signs are pointing toward the arrival of puppies within 24 hours!
May
4 (Day 57) 11:00 am: They say a watched pot never boils. Does
that mean a watched tummy never whelps? I spoke with my
veterinarian this morning, and we'll continue to talk on a daily basis through
the weekend, but at this point Dr. Thomas feels everything is fine. Keeper's
temperature, eating habits, etc., seem to confirm all this, and the puppies are
still moving around inside of her...there's just not as much room to maneuver!
What's interesting is the effect that Keeper's pending delivery is having on
Ashley, my almost 13 year old GSD. This is rejuvenating her -- once
again. (She gets "rejuvenated" every time something interesting,
different or exciting occurs in her life...like spending the weekend at
Claudia's or Deb's houses!)
Ashley has been watching Keeper's routine this week and is trying to mimic parts
of it. If Keeper has been sleeping in a crate, and wakes up to get a
drink or whatever, Ashley takes over that crate. If Keeper's been
told that "it's time to take your temperature" and we go in the
whelping room, Ashley comes in as soon as Keeper is done. If I get
up in the middle of the night for some reason, it's anyone's guess who's
sleeping in the whelping box -- might be Ashley or might be Keeper. Keeper
has been doing more "nesting" (digging) in various crates around the
house. Ashley's started that, too!
Keeper has set her limits, however. She gives Ashley the low growl
whenever Ashley gets too near her resting or sleeping space, but has no problem
with passing her in the hallway. Ashley is inquisitive, but respects
Keeper's comments. Even though Ashley has been spayed since she was
18 months old, and was never bred, I wonder if hormones are not somehow coming
into play. Ashley's behavior is more than just jealousy...very
interesting! (And, as long as everyone's comfortable with the
routine for now, there's no need to change anything. Once puppies
start arriving, though, Ashley (and the rest of the gang) will have to be kept
separate.)
Keeper continues to be quite the trooper. She is just a big,
over-inflated football. She knows the temperature taking command,
and knows where to go and just how to stand. (I'm taking it every 3
to 6 hours now.) Her "reward" is a long, tummy massage,
both during after the temperature taking. I have even found her
"posing" when I haven't asked her to!
What about the boys? Tyler is bored out of his mind...the highlight of his
day is getting the newspaper and the mail. Multiple frisbee playing
sessions in the backyard just aren't cutting it. Actually, he's
being a good sport...but I can tell he'd give anything for a ride somewhere in
the van.
Journey continues to be Keeper's guardian -- at a distance. His life
is made interesting by the birds and squirrells that attempt to share the
backyard with him. If he's not in the backyard, he's on duty in
front of the sliding glass doors or on the back of the dog couch, peering out
the front window.
Dog behavior continues to be oh so fascinating!
May 3, 2001 (Day 56) 7:00 am: Well, nothing definitive yet. Keeper's overall temperature during a 24 hour period is lower than normal by a few tenths of a degree, but we haven't had the big drop, yet. Unless you call the puppies dropping inside of Keeper "the big drop." That is definitely happening. The football is getting lower to the ground! As Keeper is going through this big change, the qualities I appreciate most in her personality are at the forefront. She is so sweet and so willing to do whatever I ask. Now, when it's temperature taking time (which we are doing 'round the clock now, simply because she asks to go potty in the middle of the night), I tell her that "we need to take your temperature" and she lumbers off to her whelping room and stands patiently for the unpleasant task to be done. Afterward, she gives me a kiss and goes back to whatever she was doing before. Her nesting instinct is increasing...the hole outside is deeper and when I tried to give her a blanket for her crate, she went to town rearranging it...finally booting it out of the crate!
Today's photos (Journey insisted on being part of the shoot!):
May 1, 2001 (Day 54): Here are today's photos. It's hard to tell, but she definitely looks like a football when viewed from the top! And the look...she's giving me the look that asks, "What in the world did you get me involved in? And why does it feel like there's a football game going on inside of me?" Today, Keeper's favorite place to be is outside, in the cool grass. She prefers to lie in a sphynx position (must relieve some pressure), or if she's inside, she prefers my bed. Her other choice is inside of a 500 VeriKennel in my bedroom, on her side, with her head resting on the ledge of the door frame and her legs braced against the side. Must be another pressure-relieving position. Journey is her constant companion when she's outside...he won't let her be out alone (and my checking on her every few minutes isn't good enough). However, Keeper won't let him get too close or try to play or rough-house...she gives him the "lip" and he knows what that means!
In the bottom photos you'll see Keeper's efforts to make herself a den. She's been "working" on it off and on for several days...when I went to check on her late morning, I found she'd been at it again, and looks indignant when I interrupted her "work!" Looks like we're getting closer...time to take her temperature again!
April 30, 2001 (Day 53): Well, there's 10 puppies for sure, according to the x-rays taken today at Spring Glen Veterinary Hospital. It was fun trying to count heads and backbones...kind of like a "Where's Elmo?" puzzle. Everything looks good. Puppy skulls are not too large to get out! Both Drs. Thomas & Cumming felt lots of puppies moving around throughout our vet visit. Keeper was her usual, cooperative self as we placed her on the x-ray table, first on her side and then on her back.
If I could find an easy way to post the x-ray on this website, I would...but I can't...so no pictures today. The plan now is to wait. We're officially on WHELP WATCH!
April 28, 2001 (Day 51): Just when I think she can't get any bigger, she does! Keeper's having a little difficulty jumping up on the bed now, and I know she's going to need help getting in the van on Monday when we go to the vet. Mentally, though, she still wants to be a frisbee dog!
April 24, 2001 (Day 47): If you are patient, you can feel puppies moving! How exciting! Keeper's milk is slowly starting to come in, and she's spending more time in her whelping box. She's also starting to "adopt" stuffed animals from time-to-time and carry them around the house in a motherly, protective fashion. (Good thing the whelping box has sides and there's a baby gate in the doorway to the whelping room!) I'm starting to take Keeper's temperature on a regular basis, since a drop in temperature is always an indicator that labor will begin within 24 hours. The photos below were taken today, and the increased girth definitely shows! (I think she's embarrassed to be losing her girlish figure!)
April 21, 2001 (Day 44): We had an exciting weekend with Baccarre' & Annette stopping by for a visit, along with several prospective puppy buyers. Keeper is becoming more protective of her body...she no longer tolerates attempts at rough-housing with Journey, and she was adamant that Baccarre' NOT try getting fresh with her again!
April 16, 2001 (Day 39): As we walked into the vet clinic for Keeper's mid-pregnancy check-up today, Dr. Thomas looks up from the front counter and says "How's the momma? I saw her "husband" at herding yesterday!" (Dr. Thomas and Annette both go herding at Joe Kapelos' Ewe-Topia. It's a small dog world!) Keeper has gained 3.5 pounds, according to the scale. Looking at her you'd say she's gained 10 pounds! Dr. Thomas gave her a clean bill of health and said everything looks great. Next appointment: April 30 (day 53) for an x-ray to make sure the puppies are all properly positioned for delivery and do a final count.
April 11, 2001 (Day 34): Keeper is eating for many these days...and she's already making herself at home in her new whelping box. I often find her napping there, instead of on my bed! Her nesting instincts are also kicking in...not just in the whelping box, but also in the back yard where I found her excavating an enormous hole!
April 9, 2001 (Day 32): Kathy spent the weekend of April 7-8 getting the whelping room ready. In the photo on the left, Keeper is trying out her new whelping box. In typical Schipperke fashion (never one to be left out), Journey sits in the rocking chair where Kathy anticipates spending a lot of time once the puppies start arriving! Physically, it's getting easier to tell Keeper is pregnant -- she has definitely lost her girlish figure!
April 6, 2001 (Day 29): Keeper threw up some dog bones that I had given her prior to putting her in her crate for a few hours. I think she threw up because she got so excited when I got home and let Tyler & Ashley out first.
April 4, 2001 (Day 27): Ultrasound at Evergreen Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Jessica Wilcock. (Click here to see ultrasound images.) Keeper is definitely pregnant and the vet estimates 8 to 10 puppies, with the possibility of a couple more not visible on the ultrasound. Vet recommends x-ray after day 50 if an exact count is needed.
April 3, 2001 (Day 26): Keeper is eager to eat again! Morning sickness seems to be over.
March 31, 2001 (Day 23):
Keeper still seems to have morning sickness. Her coat is gorgeous.
She’s lost a little weight, but still loves to play Frisbee.
Her tummy seems to feel a little enlarged, her nipples are larger than
normal after a heat cycle, as is her vulva.
March 27, 2001 (Day 19 post last breeding date – day of implantation): Keeper starting to show signs of morning sickness. No vomiting, but is eating very little and has a sick-to-her-stomach look most of the time.
March 18, 2001: Keeper came out of heat very quickly. She is eating better than unusual and her coat is gorgeous. I’ll still bet she’s pregnant.
March 11, 2001: Journey’s not paying any attention to Keeper, but still interested in breeding Ashley. Keeper still has a rare drip of blood. Much less swollen and getting firm again. Keeper is much more cuddly than usual…has been the past couple of days. I’ll bet she’s pregnant.
March 9, 2001: Much less discharge from overnight. Journey whine & howled in crate again last night and still won’t eat. No longer need to keep pants on Keeper.
March 8, 2001: Discharge about the same as yesterday, or maybe a little less, but not as bright red in color. Journey is the same as the past 2 days and so is Keeper. Final breeding: Inside tie lasting 15 minutes. Location: Annette’s back yard. A little play in advance, and Keeper was vocal & coy like the first breeding. Bac got her in less time than it took the first breeding, but not as fast as the second breeding. Both dogs were comfortable with me and Annette approaching them and helping them during the breeding (instead of waiting until after Bac had turned himself around the previous 2 times). Journey still going nuts and Keeper tries to breed him. Won’t eat. Crated all the time & he whines & howls.
March 7, 2001: Discharge from overnight was a little less in volume but deeper red and more intense. Journey still going nuts and Keeper tries to breed him. Won’t eat. Crated all the time & he whines & howls. Keeper is very full of herself. In class tonight she was even visiting Barb who was rolling around in a wheel chair…Keeper had no problems going up to the rolling chair.
March 6, 2001:
Progesterone results = 6.0. Recommendation
from lab: Ready to breed in 1 to 2
days. Discharge from overnight was
heavier, more tomato red color…kind of like tomato soup, with a little
brownish tones. Journey even more
nuts this morning. Second
breeding: Inside tie lasting 15
minutes. Location:
Annette’s back yard. No
foreplay. Keeper stood & Bac got her right away.
Afterward, both dogs wanted to do it again.
When I put Keeper in the van, she was barking!
Journey still going nuts. Won’t
eat. Crated all the time
& he whines & howls.
March 5, 2001: A little bit less discharge this morning and discharge is not as bright red (a little thinner – watery-ier). Ate a little breakfast…eager for dog bones. We have a 12:30 appointment today for another progesterone test. When we got home from class, Journey was going nuts…wouldn’t eat. Made him sleep in a crate & he still whined all night long.
March 4, 2001: First breeding. Inside tie lasting 15 minutes. Location: Annette’s back yard. Both dogs ran & played for short period. Both Keeper & Bac marked, peed & pooped. Keeper was very flirty, flagging and standing for Bac. Bac mounted her several times. Whenever I tried to help by holding Keeper still, Bac pulled off. Finally, he got her in a corner of the yard, did his thing, dismounted and turned around by the time Annette & I walked over to them. They both handled their first breeding experience very nicely. Keeper is very swollen and her discharge is about the same volume, but deeper red in color. Didn’t want to eat dinner, but eagerly eats dog bones.
March 2, 2001: Progesterone results = 1.0. Recommendation from lab: Ready to breed in 2 to 4 days. Recommendation from Deb: Redo progesterone test on Monday…won’t be ready that fast, because physical signs & discharge don’t match progesterone. Brucellosis negative. Discharge about the same as March 1. Journey much more interested, but still eating. No humping or howling yet.
March 1, 2001: Vaginal smears showed many cells cornified. Drew blood for progesterone test & brucellosis test. Discharge increasing in volume (soak less than ½ pad in 12 hours) & bright red color.
To this point vet was Rachel Olsen at Animal Clinic of Newport Hills. After February 28 vet is Deb Thomas at Spring Glen Vet Hospital.
February 28, 2001: Slightly more discharge, a little more color. Put pants on her.
February 27, 2001:
Gave DHLPP-C.
February 26, 2001: Titers show deficiency for parvo & distemper. First discharge = pale & liquid. Minimal amount. Has come into heat a month early. Previous heat cycles were 8 months apart.
February 23, 2001: Drew blood for titers. Gave Parvo shot.
February 22, 2001: Starting to swell. Journey showing mild interest.