Today marks 9 weeks since Lilly's last cycle began.  I'm sure we are but a week - 10 days away.  Of course... saying I am sure frequently ensures that I am wrong.  And these are babies after all... little things with minds of their own and their own calendars.

Yesterday, I put some linoleum I found in the basement under the whelping box (after it was scrubbed well of course..).  I covered that with a well loved cotton rug that can be thrown in the washer and has been repeatedly over the last 20 years.... covered that with a sheet of heavy plastic... another well loved cotton rug and then one of her large blankets freshly washed.  Then I placed the bottomless whelping box on top and put her big, freshly washed pillow in it.  

It looks grand... but she wants nothing to do with it.  I think she slept in Jazz's crate last night and forced him out onto the kitchen floor. That story sounds familiar!

I also started cleaning a large area in the basement to cover with some floor paint so I can have an indoor play pen in about 5-6 weeks.  I have a nice run to set up outside as soon as some strong men in my family appear... but on rainy NW days, there will need to be dry romping space for puppies when the outside is a large puddle.

Yard clean up has started so my fenced area will have no secret, hiding puppy dangers.  This week, I am praying for sun so I can work out there with a mower and weed eater.

So... I am puppy-ing forward and hoping you all have a great day!

Well... the new thermometer is a hit!  I get her to lie down... give her a treat and before she's sure she didn't drop some on the floor in front of her, I've inserted the thermometer, it has beeped and I am up to get her another treat for her co-operation.  Awesome!!!!!

Today she was back up over 100*. So, I am pretty sure the lower temp had a lot to do with the less expensive thermometer.

So.... this one is made by Vicks.  It can be used orally or rectally so 8 seconds to final temperature info may sound good to you or your kids!

Still looking for delivery in about a week.  ;-)  Happy Saturday!

Taday, I purchased a new thermometer.  The one that came with my whelping kit said it registered in 60 seconds.... which I thought was long.... but it really took a few minutes... 5 if I used the crook of my arm... and it didn't ring.  For $15 I bought a new one at Rite Aid that registers in 8 seconds and beeps when it is done.  I think Lilly will appreciate the difference.  I know I would if I were her.

I also got my heating pad and found a nice, clean storage box in the basement to make my puppy warming box with.  I will look for every available non matching towel and baby blanket I have to make a good collection of clean cloths to line it with.  If all goes well, I may not need to use it at all.  But I know it is there if Lilly gets up and thrashes about in labor after a puppy or so has already been born and I need to move them out of her way for their own safty.

Her temp was just under 100 today... but because I don't trust the thermometer I had, I will try again tonight before we all settle in.

I looked up the sellers I bought my kit and whelping box from.  The whelping kit came from Canine Breeding Innovations.  (Yesterdays' Post just says Canine Innovations.)  If you click on that name, it will take you to  the page on Amazon where I bought it.  They have the kit in several sizes for different sized litters.

The Box came from Amazon, sold by a seller called judgewhelper.  He was very nice.  He let me call him on the phone and arrange private shipping so I could get it early and Lilly could get used to being in it.  If you click on his name, it will take you to the page where this box was listed.  He has several in different sizes.

more later.....

  Yesterday, Lilly and I went for her last prenatal visit.  Everything is progressing beautifully and she has 9 pups that we could count on her X-ray.  
   She was 12 of 12 in her litter so this didn't shock me too much and according to my information, it actually can be a positive thing for her even though it will be a lot of work.  I read that the more puppies there are, the smaller they are and the easier they are to birth... less likely to get stuck.  She is a good bit smaller than Jazz so I was concerned her puppies could be big ones and difficult for her... especially for a first litter.
  I started taking her temperature daily this week.  It hovers around 100-101.  When it starts to drop it will be one more signal that we are about to get to work and witness a miracle.
   I put the whelping box together last night... all by myself.  I have to say THAT was a miracle because I can't put anything together!  I get all the parts and screws mixed up and have to do it backwards multiple times before I succeed... if I ever do.  I am hopeless on Christmas Eve.  Just let me encourage you and pour the wine!
   Anyway, it was fairly easy.  I bought it on line and was surprised to discover it didn't have a bottom.  Because I am placing it in a room with carpeting, I will get some plywood and a piece of linoleum to put underneath... that will be this weeks project as well as assembling a warming box for the pups.
   My whelping kit is all together... got that on line too. (Canine Breeding Innovations out of Georgia)  It has everything in it and made life a bit easier to have it sent to me as opposed to running all over with a check list.  I have been quite busy the last two weeks with the opening of a show I helped direct (Kentucky Cycle at Bainbridge Performing Arts), several auditions and new head shots. (John Ulman, Seattle... thanks John!)
   Well... moving into a new day.  I will try to take pictures today of the things I bought and post them.  You can investigate the products then if you are interested.  Have a Great Wednesday!