Martha's pregnancy diary 2013
21 Jan 2013
It's now just over 6 months since Martha's last season and ordinarily I'd be tapping my feet and twiddling my thumbs with impatience by now. This morning I've looked out of the window at the 'white-out' and been relieved I don't have to go anywhere. The last few miles of roads around the Balrion Weathertop kennels are narrow and winding, with only sheep for company and I wouldn't fancy my chances of getting there in this weather.
22 Jan 2013
Martha has passed her eye test today.
01 Feb 2013
And. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (big drum roll). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha's season has started today. How very considerate of her to pick the first of the month, it makes calculating when to progesterone test her so much easier.
11 Feb 2013
Martha's progesterone levels are still a little low so I'll probably be re-testing her on Wednesday. The weather forecast doen't look good for that day so I think I'd better get my sledge out.
13 Feb 2013
I decided not to bother with a second progesterone test as all Martha's body language was telling me she was ready. The forecast of heavy snow didn't deter us and we had clear journeys there and back. We had, what I hope was, a successful mating and will be returning on Friday for a second one. If all goes to plan we should have puppies due on or around 17 April.
15 Feb 2013
A totally different journey today, clear and sunny on our way to North Wales for the second mating. Now the waiting begins.
13 March 2013
Almost 4 weeks have passed already and Martha's scan is booked for Wed 20 March. Fingers crossed the next update will include a scan photo showing there are puppies.
20 March 2013
In the centre of the photo you can see 2 of the sacs, each containing a puppy. There were quite a few others to be seen so we hope to have a good sized litter. No wonder Martha's becoming more of a food thief.
31 March 2013
Martha's very noticeable pregnant now. She'll steal food from anyone and everyone, she's not fussy, so I'll be starting to grandually increase the daily amounts I feed her. I've also changed her over to puppy food, the one I'll be weaning the puppies onto (Arden Grange) It has a higher protein level than her normal food. I'm still hoping to get her scanned a second time but the weather's not been in our favour.
03 April 2013
Martha and I finally managed to make the journey over to outskirts of Sheffield for a second scan. The further on the pregnancy progresses, the harder it is to identify puppies individually, but there still looked to be a lot of puppies in there. Another couple of weeks and all will be revealed.
07 April 2013
I think it's obvious from this photo why Martha's starting to feel rather uncomfortable.
Taken from above, this one shows how broad she's become as the puppies take up more and more room.
09 April 2013
This morning I sat and watched the puppies moving while Martha was having a snooze, they looked to be having a fine old time in there.
17 April 2013
Contrary to what I expected, Martha's puppies have decided they're staying put for the moment. We've had 3 very restless nights and I'd hoped they would have made an appearance by now, but they're obviously far too comfortable where they are. Martha's snoring her head off on the sofa as I write this.
18 April 2013
In life things can change so quickly and after writing yesterday's update that's exactly what happened. Late evening saw Martha and I at the vets. The first puppy was stuck, blocking the way for all the others and I had to make the decision for Martha to have a c-section. Unfortunately, due to other complications that became apparent once they'd opened her up, I also had to agree to Martha being spayed, there was simply no choice, the situation was far too serious. It was 2.30 this morning by the time I was able to bring Martha and her puppies home, the end of a very long, tiring and traumatic day. I've taken photos of Martha and the puppies and will be adding those to a new web page in the next few days.