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Waiting...
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December
23, 2009 (62nd day)
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The delivery is on its
way... Yacime found herself a nice dark hollow between the
couch and a sidetable, and that's where she constantly
sleeps since yesterday. She's still drinking well but has
absolutely lost her appetite; she even refuses her favorite
food! Her temperature has dropped and also she is restless
and panting at times. We are now waiting for the
contractions...
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The final stage
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December
21, 2009 (60th day)
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Yacime
now really entered the final stage, and she adapts
wonderfully to the situation! It's just amazing how
flexible and accommodating bitches in whelp can be...
This afternoon we went to the vet and had Yacime
weighted, she gained 11 kgs in total and now weighs
over 45 kgs...
Her waist today measures 85 cm (33.5 inches). She is
still into food, although slightly less enthusiastic
than the past period but yeeh... in all this goes so
very well!
It's been over a week since the whelping box was
placed in the living room and Yacime
loves to take a nap in it every now and then ;-).
Also I started to take her temperature daily
and up to now it has been stable (about 37.5 degrees).
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In
the meantime, I also chose the pedigree names, that
is: I made a first selection. As soon as the puppies
are born, I'm definitively going to decide. Afterall
the registration procedure of the Dutch Kennel Club
requires a pedigree application within 10 days after
the puppy's birth...
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Winter wonderland!
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December
17, 2009 (56th day)
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Last night we had quite a
bit of snow! And despite the fact that Yacime has no need/possibility
to run anymore, it was clear she had extra fun in the forest
this afternoon! Besides, it provides some fantastic pictures!
;-)
Furthermore Yacime is steadily growing, eating well still
and just her own sweet, crazy self!!
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Countdown
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December 2009
(53rd day)
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If
we strictly follow the birth calender, the countdown
has begun; 10 more days to go... Ofcourse nature
always takes its own course, so we just have to wait
and see. One thing is for sure; Yacime
entered the somewhat harder days... She is getting
really big now, and also you can see and feel the
puppies moving in her belly. But Yacime absolutely
carries her pregnancy with great reason for which I
am very grateful! Her waist now measures 80 cm (31.5
inches).
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Yacime in her most
relaxing position
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Trimming
and to the vet
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December
12, 2009 (51st day)
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This morning I trimmed
Yacime so I don't have to bother her with this anymore in
the coming weeks. She underwent it without any problem, but judging by the size of her belly now, I don't think
she would have been in to a grooming session much later in
her pregnancy...
Last Thursday
I took her to the vet for her second herpes injection.
She also had a check-up and fortunately she is still in a
super condition. Yacime's heartbeat was calm and strong, the
weight has gone up 7 kgs (she is now almost 41 kgs). Much to
my delight the vet offered an extra ultrasound to try and
discover some of the puppy's heartbeats... I was ofcourse
thrilled to experience this, but it got even better when at
a certain point we could see one of the pups move its
frontlegs and... turn over! Amazing... truly a little
miracle...
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In the
forest
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December
7, 2009 (46th day)
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It's
Monday again which means Yacime's belly is measured:
she is now 73,5 cm (28.7 inches)... The pictures are
made this afternoon in the forest.
The pace is really low for her standards, but
furthermore she is still alert and fully enjoying
herself!
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Food
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December
3, 2009 (42nd day)
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Today I
started to feed Yacime three meals a day, instead of two.
Fortunately she's still eating well, although some chewing
bones she really doesn't find tasty anymore. So we
temporarily deleted those from the menu.
By the way, my search for pedigree names is still in full
swing, I cannot seem to decide. Just like the last time, I
really think it's difficult! No panic yet, I still have a
couple of weeks...
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| Over
halfway |
| November
30, 2009 (39th day) |
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Yacime
is now over 5 weeks in whelp and starts to
show quite well. Tonight I measured her
belly again, she is now 69,5 cm (27.4
inches). She's still eating and functioning
well, is happy and playful although in the
woods she is not as fanatic as she normally
is. But in all she is doing just super and
ofcourse I am very pleased with that!
Last Sunday I visited the Winner Dogshow (in
Amsterdam, Holland) to buy some things for
the pups and the upcoming birth.
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Meeting
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November
22, 2009 (31st day)
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This afternoon I met with
the future puppy owners in the wonderful forest of
Soesterduinen (Holland). We had a nice walk with the dogs,
enjoyed the beautiful weather and got somewhat better
acquainted. Afterwards we sat down at the restaurant for a
cup of coffee. It was great fun and Yacime really loved all
the attention! ;-)
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Ultrasound
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November
20, 2009 (29th day)
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The
redeeming word: Yacime is in whelp! While palpating (touching)
the vet already discovered 4 vesicles, and the ultrasound
showed some more. It's almost incomprehensible that Yacime
really is carrying babies. I am happy and surprised at
the same time... After all it's the freak of nature and I
think it is very special that it worked out well!
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Yacime's
ultrasound |
The
fetuses are now approx. 2 cm in size |
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Different
expression... |
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November
9, 2009 (18th day) |
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Too early to tell for sure if
Yacime in whelp, but
there are some small things that strike me. Especially the
expression in her eyes is different; warmer, softer. Well,
we shall see...
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| The
second mating |
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| October
24, 2009 |
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Today
we again went south for the second
mating attempt. Yacime must have
liked the first time, because when
I took her out of the car she
quickly relieved herself and then
rushed to Troy's house in FULL
speed. I could hardly keep up with
her! A little later Troy joined in
and started to greet the humans.
But Yacime wouldn't let him, she
went to pick him up ;-). Silly
girl... Playing, provoking,
running, playing, provoking,
running. This mating went even
smoother than the first one, and
they connected for 19 minutes this
time. How wonderful to watch this
sceen, and I am glad Yacime so
convincingly underwent the matings
without any problem.
Mieke, thank you so much for your
hospitality and your patience!!
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The
first mating
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October
22, 2009
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Yacime
was mated!!
For a moment I thought I could return home without
accomplishing anything, because Yacime seemed to be more
interested in Troy's home than in Troy himself... But my
fear turned unfounded and the two of them had a calm,
peaceful mating. They connected for 17 minutes and Yacime
stood it just perfectly!! And so lovely to see Troy and
her afterwards, wagging their tails and being fully at
ease in eachother's company. Great, what a relief!
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Blood test
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October
21, 2009
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Today we had the third
blood test done and yes; Yacime should be ready! The
advice is to visit Troy tomorrow afternoon to see if a
mating can take place. I am very curious!!
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Deworming
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October
14, 2009
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Tonight
I dewormed Yacime. They advice against doing this during
the pregnancy because the wormer can be dangerous for the
unborn pups.
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In season at last!
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October
9, 2009
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It took a while, but
today Yacime finally came into season! Her previous
seasons all followed exactly (!) after 8 months and 4 days,
so I expected it to come already in September. We all got
somewhat impatient, the puppy owners and me... :-). But
thankfully it now happened and we can look forward to a
nice but also slightly tense time...
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| The
future father |
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| April
5, 2009 |
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After
a long, intensive search the choice has been
made: the stud for Yacime will be Troy (JCh.
Chicago Down Town v.d. Beerse Hoeve).
Today I went to the south of Holland with a
friend, to have a look at Troy. I already
knew him from the shows, but I also wanted
to meet him in his daily life. And Troy
confirmed everything; what a great, happy
and sweet dog! I really think he is super
for Yacime in every way so today I
definitively choose him...!!
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