So much to do...

A lot is happening this week. In a way so much more happens this week than next, when I expect Isabella to whelp her litter. Time is running out for me to finish painting the front room. Those that know me also know I had a severe back injury a few years back and I can only do so much at once. So painting is done in small spurts with plenty of ibuprofen! But I do need to finish up within the next day or so, and then work on setting the room up for next week. There is a dilapidated couch I'd love to send to the dump that maybe with some help I can at least banish to the barn! The couch was old to start with but it has taken the brunt of owning and breeding dogs the past few years. The first incident was Hero, she dug out the end of it nearly 4 years ago when my dearest friend was visiting with her small son. Hero had bonded quite strongly with Derek and was quite upset when he was put to bed upstairs where she is not allowed! The second incident was also Hero. Sneaky girl she is, and I out of dog food, she waited for me to run to the store quickly only to whelp her first puppy on that couch! Last year really did it in though, Izzy dug out an entire cushion as her hormones took a hold of her prior to whelping. Needless to say, it's time to get it out of here!

I have a cot I set up when I am waiting for a whelping. Isabella will spend a night or two prior getting used to her box, which means a sacrifice from the other dogs for a few nights. They will have to sleep crated in the living room. Every bitch is different in how they react and Isabella is a very dominant personality. Even though she's normally the sweetest dog you've ever met and quite passive to the other dogs (as long as they respect pack rules!) when she has babies she's extremely protective. The cat found that out the hard way last year! Hero wanted her pack members close by, Izzy wants them in another country. At least for the first few weeks, and I respect that. I'll spend the first few nights after the puppies arrive in that room w/ her as well, so I'm really looking at almost a week of sleeping on the cot.


Isabella with her 2011 litter


I talked to a friend who owns one of my dogs today who asked me how I manage with 6 dogs. The truth is we have quite a routine here, and it works. I've found once you hit 3 dogs (pack mentality) everything after that is about the same. I have a wonderful large dog yard that is safe for me to allow the dogs into unsupervised. I don't ever leave my property with them out (I'm just too paranoid!) and that makes life a breeze! Best thing I ever did! I had a great fenced yard when I lived in Virginia, and not having one after that even for just two dogs gave me one of my biggest heartaches. Yes, I have very strong feelings about fencing! When inside they're all couch potatoes for the most part. The dogs will have their routine disrupted over the next two months. I'll be spending a lot of time with the puppies, which for the first 5 weeks means much reduced time with the others. Individual time with me when I go out for errands will cease until the pups go to their new homes. I'm cautious about accidentally bringing something into the home that could harm the pups.


Tristian having fun in the yard

My last real outing will take place this weekend in Massachusetts. Part of me wants to stay home and be happily paranoid, but a much larger part of me looked forward to the spring field trials for far too long to not go! So along with the painting, couch moving, building of gates, and day to day life... I'll be in the field all week with Merlin and Tristian prepping them for their runs this weekend. Maybe I'll even remember to pull out my camera this time!