A lot can happen, part two

now THIS is high in the rear!!

After a crazy, roller coaster riding couple of days I took Kate in for an acupuncture treatment yesterday morning. I had to carry her into the clinic and when I set her down for the vet to observe she walked in a circle with her head held to one side; whimpering and yelping as she walked. He immediately determined that she had severe neck pain and I carried her into the exam room to begin the treatment.

Palpation showed that her neck vertebrae were not tender to pressure, but that she was sensitive behind her shoulders. He then inserted about a dozen needles into her neck, back and hind leg. After several minutes the needles were removed and I headed for home after making a follow up appointment for today, and a tentative appointment for tomorrow.

On the way home I found that she was relaxed for the first time in two days, and allowed me to lay my hand on her side. Prior to the treatment she could not handle being touched at all, and would flinch if anything came close to her. I was delighted to feel the puppies doing cartwheels inside of her. Probably a lot more delighted than poor Kate was! At this point we were about two hours past time for her pain meds. Once home she quietly settled in her now favorite spot: the tile entry floor. Unlike prior to the appointment, she laid flat out on her side. No shivering. No whining. Soon Nugget was laying beside her and both were sleeping. I was in shock. I have always been a bit skeptical of alternative medicine. I had tried acupuncture once myself for phantom pain and it was the most horrendous thing I have ever gone through; bar none! However, I had taken my rottie in to treat his Wobbler's Disease and will credit it for some comfort and increased time.

At bedtime I decided to give her a pain shot as I worried that the endorphins would go away in the night and she would be in worse shape by morning. Instead I heard nothing from her and bolted from bed at 4am in fear that she had died in the night. What I found instead was that she was sound asleep and wondered what the heck I was doing waking her. With a slight wag of the tail and a normal head and neck position, I could barely contain my amazement and joy.

I hopped back to my room and put on my leg and got dressed so I could get the dogs out, since they were now all awake. She calmly went down the ramp and did her business and then settled back to her spot on the entry way.

About 7am I took the boys out with me to do chores. We fed the horse, scooped the poop, and I threw balls for the dogs. After about fifteen minutes I came back into the house to find her at the back door giving me the hairy eyeball. She wanted to do chores, darn it all!! I invited her, alone, out and she trotted out to the pasture and waited while I opened the gate and let her in to say hi to the horse. That done, she sat and stared at the balls on the window sill. No way, dear Kate. That is NOT happening. We walked a bit and headed in; about five minutes later. Once inside I began the search for food she would eat. I struck out on nearly everything. She finally settled on some high quality jerky treats that I have used to bait Nugget in the show ring. She ate the entire bag, save for a handful that had been used at the last show. Whatever works, I figure.

So today is another appointment which I have decided to keep. Her temperature went down to 99.0 at ten and stayed there until sometime after two. It is now back up to 99.9. The clinic called and said that it was 100.2 when we were in the other night. I have not wanted to bother Kate the past couple of days, so I have no idea for sure what "normal" is. I do know that the Nugglets are active when I put the thermometer in, and that is very reassuring.

So. I am now a huge advocate for Acupuncture. I can't wait to walk Kate into the office in two hours. They will be blown away!!

What will tomorrow hold? Maybe puppies? Only time will tell.

A lot can happen in 24 hours

At 11pm last night I was awakened by yelping from Kate.  She was quite obviously NOT in labor and I assumed that she had a pup in a crazy position and it would move and she would settle. My midnight I was pretty sure there was something else going on. She was acting like one side of her face hurt, yet I couldn't find the problem. I began to wonder if she was having little seizures, so bundled her up and headed to the Emergency Clinic. Once there it was determined that we just didn't know exactly what was happening, but that her neck was bothering her and the only thing that could be done this close to delivery was handle her with opiates. Kitty opiates. A shot was given and I headed for home shortly after 3am.

By 7am Kate was hurting more than she had been the night before so I called at 8 and headed back in. A different vet, a different view. I had also called a friend for her thoughts, so had more questions for the vet. It was determined almost immediately that Kate did, indeed, have a problem with her neck. It may be something that has been there, though I doubt it, and the release of her body's natural hormone prior to delivery has made the injury much more apparent. After more book studies it was again determined that nothing could be given to Kate to make her more comfortable except for the same cat opiate pain reliever. As the front desk ordered more for rush delivery, the tech took all but an amp and drew it up into insulin syringes. Every four hours Kate is given an injection subcutaneously.

Then there was the other worry. She would not eat. She is rapidly growing the pups and stood the chance of going into eclampsia if I can't get her to eat. I decided that I would stuff her an hour after her injection. Then I noticed my bag of samples from the Bainbridge Island Wag-fest. She happily munched down two (sample) tubes of Natural Balance Duck and Potato. What a relief that was!!

So, the plan is to rest her and grow the puppies. To keep her as pain free as possible until she delivers. My hope is that with the extra weight off of her spine and nerves she will be fine.

To think that just twenty four hours ago we were headed out to do chores. I wish I could turn back the clock...

Tired and happy, but not quite time yet

Yeah, that would be ME tired, and Kate happy!

 Another week, give or take a few days, and her figure will change yet again. Little does she know...

About a week to go

Just a quick note that all is going just fine. The whelping box is set up, the supplies are pretty much ready (make note: pick up puppy pads today) and on Monday the temperature taking begins.

Kate has slowed considerably, but still will chase the ball, so is still getting some exercise. She eats several smaller meals a day, but no where near the doubling up that she is supposed to be eating. Hopefully the pups are still getting plenty. As she still eats, I just don't want to be stuffing her. She is perky, bright eyed, and happy. I could not ask for more.

At this point there is no plan to X-ray for count. What is in there will come out. I would prefer to save the money for emergency care, if needed. However, plans do change, so if there appears a need to take her in for something, it may be done.

The boys are blowing coat like crazy so my house is so full of dog hair that no matter the amount of cleaning there are dust hippos everywhere. I take them out and give them a good brushing every day or two, and each time it appears that something has died in my driveway, yet it still goes on. Even the birds have stopped picking at the piles.

So, until something more definitive occurs, you get to join me in the holding pattern.

Welcome.

It is all about Kate

All the worry. All the doting. All the laughter.

In two short weeks there should be a litter on the ground here. Kate's first. Nugget's first. My first Cardigan litter. The sushi litter.

Time has flown by, yet time has stood still as well. It is an odd thing; how quickly those cells divide and turn into little puppies. It boggles my mind that they can do in two months, with many multiples, what takes us humans nine. Yes, there are puppies arriving daily, by many times, yet this litter is different.

At this point I am guessing four or five. Plenty of sushi names to go around. (And of course "Grout.")

So the whelping box is set up, and the supply list should be completed by the end of the week.

Today, and last night, are "off eating" times. It worries me as I know she should be doubling up on food right now. I will try again in a couple of hours and may be hand feeding soon. I keep telling her that she needs to eat as the puppies are growing their ears. She is not listening and using HER wonderful ears!!

So I continue on with my worrying. My doting. And my many smiles, as I think of the future.



Ball?



A few random pictures

First a couple of California pictures. The second is Nugget's second Major. You will see it again in a better scan when the others come in. I will scan them all; including a redo.

And here are some Puyallup pictures that Mark Thorson took from ringside. I hesitate in showing them due to the badly scarred hand; but hey, it is what it is and I need to get over it. Right?

And the swagger.

 Thanks to Mark for being there and taking the pictures. It is so nice to be able to see him, and know what I need to change for future shoing.

To the park on Monday. Nugget loves the park, and I needed some time with him to soak in the sea air. Biss for us both. 

CH Coedwig's Alchemist (pending)

Mark Thorson photo

Wow, fancy that. All the worries. All the stress. All the runs to the bathrooms and Sani-Kans. In two minutes it all finally was over for Nugget. He got his title, making him number 96 (I believe it is) on his dad's role of Champion titled kids. Since it was a two point day, then I tied handler Angie in the points game with him. We each got 7 points on the bugger, (with Angie getting them as majors-YES!) and handler Andy got two. It was nice to finish him myself; nicest to be sharing it with the amazing folks that I show with/against.

Here, we help each other. We support each other. We CARE. Someone needs to build a major? We do our best to make it happen. What a sad thing that the entire sport can't be more like this. Because of the people I "hang" with I tend to forget that there are less than genuine folks in the ring and in the sport. What a shame it is, but I guess it is an interesting cross section of life. The NW group just tends to be more in the area of the heart, I am thinking.

However, this is about a little dog who came into my life last year and forever changed everything. He has taught me to trust and to open up my world just a little bit more, to just a few more people. He has taught me to temper my emotions a bit. He has caught two potential problems with my disease before I did. This little dog makes me smile. He makes me laugh. he makes me cry. Just by sitting at my feet and gazing up at me.

I love every single one of my animals; with all my heart. But there is something about Nugget...

So today we will head for the beach. The show ring perfect coat needs a bit of sand and seaweed.

Thanks, Kim, for planting the seed that brought the Bug to my life. bff Indeed.

Pictures will be posted tomorrow. The California pictures are beginning to trickle in and Mark took some as well. Life is great, and is getting even better.

Thanks to all the ringside friends yesterday. Even with that funny whirring noise that happens when you think you might just pass out...I still heard the cheers. I love you guys. Everyone of you. how nice it is to be able to share the highlights with truly great friends.

It is that time

Shows this weekend. Nerves a bit frazzled. "Stuff" to do. Plenty of it.

And there it is. The middle of the night. I am tossing and turning knowing that Ana is whelping; only 38 miles from here, but an hour and a half drive to get there. I reach up to touch my favorite pillow buddy. Rub his wonderful scruff and his oh so soft ears. Then the routine nose stroke brings me off the pillow with a rush of emotions.

Of course. Shows this weekend. No sore feet. No tree sap stuck deep in his coat. His wonderful freckled nose is swollen so big that I can't help but wonder how he can breathe. There is no discharge, so I doubt that he inhaled a seed of some kind, and do a thorough search looking for stingers or a bite mark. He has been very interested in the Bumble Bees that work in the Rhodie blooms as of late. By now, with adrenaline flowing, I must hop to the bathroom and then to the computer. You see Nugget is also "making donations" and I need to verify that an antihistamine is safe for that sort of thing...which it is, so he was given one at 2:00 in the morning. Of course my search of his nose has him itching anyway, so I am delighted that he will soon be feeling some relief and go back to sleep. Me? Not so much. A million things run through my head. Will we make it into the ring? Will he be a dad again? Will I survive doggy adolescence? How is Ana Banana doing? How is Kim's back? I think I will double check shipping procedures and fine tune them...

From there, of course it naturally migrates to Miss Kate and the "sushi nugglets." I give up. I am up. But I am not sure I was ever down.

So I have three sleeping dogs surrounding me now. Media is pulled from the freezer. Labels are printed and the scope is still in place on the table. Lists are scattered about my desk, as my sleepless mind cannot be counted on to remember much today. Gee, my mind is a blank slate many days, sleepless or not. Troubling? No, no time to think about it, but I will put it on one of the lists to consider at a later time.

Oh yeah. Retirement. A time of peaceful bliss that allows one to occasionally stop and smell the flowers...and deal with the aftermath of disturbing workers in the aforementioned flowers.

Welcome to my world. And welcome to the world Ana/Dash babies.

Self doubt is such a pain!

I decided last week that I needed to find a vet with 24 hour services that I liked, on the off chance I might need them in the middle of the night or on a Sunday. So a made a couple of different appointments and took Kate in for "well checks." One was ruled out immediately as Kate totally freaked when we walked in the door. Today's visit was quite nice. She meandered around, offering to help behind the desk, checking out the coffee maker, checking the magazine rack, and wanting to play with the cat in a carrier awaiting a spay appointment. Yeah, she was not as excited about seeing Kate! The visit with the vet was just as good. Of course they properly oooo'd and ahhhh'd over my dog, so they were good at the schmooze thing too, but no harm/no foul. Then, after about 40 minutes of vet time and several handouts, the news I was NOT expecting. The visit was free. Yeah. Free. New client thing. Then she offered to ultrasound Kate to confirm pregnancy. I was told that counts could not be determined, but she could definitely tell if it was "real" or a good looking false pregnancy. She checked the price and it was less than I figured for the routine appointment so I said, "heck yes" and off they went to warm up the machine.

Long story short, as soon as the probe was applied to the belly three heartbeats were visible. No searching involved, but a very happy result for me...until she said "there are likely plenty more in there." Plenty is frightening to me. That, and why must I fill myself with this doubt??

So, Nugget's first litter, Kate's first litter, and my first insemination have all passed the first test.

Woo hoooooooo.
Nugglets are developing nicely as you are reading this. And, for the very first time, I walked out of the vet hospital for well under $100. SCORE!!!

Yes, it is true

Kate will be delivering her first litter around the fourth of July. This will also be Nugget's first litter. I have been doing the "is she" game for a couple of weeks; seeing changes, but not wanting to get my hopes up. Now those changes are no longer as subtle, so I am ready to make the formal blog announcement. In another month my hands will be full, as will my days. I cannot wait to see if Nugget and Kate will give me my next show pup.

(yep, another Wiccan York-Patten picture; like I need to tell you!)

Also, like everyone doesn't already know this: My Nugg-butter is home from his road trip to Southern California. He did very well down there, despite some confusion and frustration. It was wonderful to have constant updates on him and reassurance that he would be fine came easily as I know how much he adores this handler, and that she cares for him deeply. As a young dog it can be difficult to have to wear different hats and to know that Angie was able to help him work through the mess and come out on top was absolutely fantastic. I would not hesitate to send him with her again; but it is nice that I won't need to. His first major came from a breeder judge, which is quite rewarding...and no, she did NOT know us, or him.

So we have a few short weeks to prepare for the family expansion. Stay tuned for updates...warning, warning, warning....