On Tuesday, 21 of our TLC furbabies and 4 of the Ventura County Animal Services began their journey to a new furever life as New Yorkers! Thank-you to everyone who worked so hard on this endeavor! Excitement is already building at North Shore Animal League as the 'California Chi-Wow-Wows and other friends' arrive and become ready for adoption!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Baby Watch #2 - We have babies!
Trisha delivered six puppies during the night! Yay! Dunno if they are boys or girls, but there are 3 black ones and 3 white ones! WTG, Trisha... two preggers down, still one to go (LemonCello).
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Still no babies!
LemonCello (aka "Big Momma") still is VERY preggers. She's absolutely miserable and uncomfortable as well. Last night I crawled into her Xpen with my blanket and pillow, cuddled up and she pushed her spine back into my belly... spooning together, I'm guessing the warmth of my body was comforting to her achy spine and stretched out belly... As I rubbed and massaged her poor, too much expanded belly, I was amazed at the gentleness of this dog and couldn't help but wonder what her back story was.
Now that she's at home with me this week, I have learned so many things about her that I didn't know about before. She's trained to not enter the house until asked... I timed it the other day - 16 minutes and she still refused to cross the threshold from the patio into the house. At that point, I felt bad for her so I tapped my thigh with my hand and gave the simple "COME", and in she came! What a well mannered and sweet, gentle giant she is.
Currently I am fostering a 2.5 pounder, Longhaired Chihuahua/Maltese mix who is deaf from birth. Zena is about 5-6 months old and ALL puppy. She's so tiny she can walk right through the baby gate slats and into Big Momma's area. Nervous about it, I kept reaching in today and lifting Zena out... While I couldn't promise Big Momma would be this gentle with all dogs and puppies, she's allowed Zena to come in and snuggle aside of her...
Later today, Big Momma's ear was hanging within reach as she was stretched out... Zena took a liking to it, chewing on it a bit and finally Big Momma growled a bit and flicked her ear to move it out of Zena's reach... I don't believe Big Momma knows Zena is deaf, so the growl did nothing really (except get my attention)... Just to be safe, I put up gating around the area so Zena can't just wander in and out...
Tonight we did our final walk-about and Big Momma had numerous piddles and puddles... She walks so well on lead and doesn't pull at all... As we walked through the park close to my house, I was so impressed with her stance and proudness on the walk... For all the power she possesses, she hasn't tried once to use it with me... She watches me constantly and listens absolutely so well to me... And it takes a lot to impress me as those who know me well will readily tell you!
We think Big Momma is a Boxer/Pitty mix... I have always liked both breeds, but favored much smaller sized dogs because of my back issues... Should she have a notion to, Big Momma could cause a world of hurt... Her muzzle is huge and the power could be scary... Even her body is so heavy and tight with muscles... She could easily pull me if she had half a mind to, but I can walk with relaxed lead on her every time...
When I brought her home from the rescue shop, I had to make a pit stop at Lowe's to pick up a few things... She went into the store with me and I can't tell you the number of people who had to stop and pet her... While there were some folks that appeared to be a bit nervous about her size and appearance, Lowe's staff brought her doggie cookies... Even the cashier had to feel her belly and he just about freaked out when one of the puppies kicked him! It was cute to see, but it was educational for a few folks that might have changed their opinion about these breeds too, ya know?
Our family tradition is to have slow roasted pork, sauerkraut with carraway and mashed potatoes... Leftovers are even better, and that was my lunch this afternoon... Big Momma sat at my feet and looked so patiently at me, I couldn't resist giving her some... She's not been eating a lot the past day or two, but boy did she like what I was having for lunch! She's been turning her nose up at kibble even with wet food mixed in, so I had to go and warm up some more slow roasted pork and kraut just for her... And she gobbled it down, licked her lips and looked for more!...
This afternoon I sat with her and massaged her belly... She leans into you as if to say, "More, more"... I have never ever seen a dog this massive with puppies in 31 years of rescue... Her belly swings side to side with every step and I can't help but feel for her... I'm hoping she goes into labor very soon 'cause I just can't see how much more that belly can stretch!
The pups have moved down low now and earlier the temp reading dropped below 99, so maybe tonight is the night. Her whelping area is set up and ready for her, complete with a huge ortho bed underneath. Her mammary glands are SO engorged... If she doesn't go into labor soon, I'm thinking I'll take her to our vet and see what he says about what is going on...
So we are still on baby watch.... (sigh)... Hopefully it will be soon!
Now that she's at home with me this week, I have learned so many things about her that I didn't know about before. She's trained to not enter the house until asked... I timed it the other day - 16 minutes and she still refused to cross the threshold from the patio into the house. At that point, I felt bad for her so I tapped my thigh with my hand and gave the simple "COME", and in she came! What a well mannered and sweet, gentle giant she is.
Currently I am fostering a 2.5 pounder, Longhaired Chihuahua/Maltese mix who is deaf from birth. Zena is about 5-6 months old and ALL puppy. She's so tiny she can walk right through the baby gate slats and into Big Momma's area. Nervous about it, I kept reaching in today and lifting Zena out... While I couldn't promise Big Momma would be this gentle with all dogs and puppies, she's allowed Zena to come in and snuggle aside of her...
Later today, Big Momma's ear was hanging within reach as she was stretched out... Zena took a liking to it, chewing on it a bit and finally Big Momma growled a bit and flicked her ear to move it out of Zena's reach... I don't believe Big Momma knows Zena is deaf, so the growl did nothing really (except get my attention)... Just to be safe, I put up gating around the area so Zena can't just wander in and out...
Tonight we did our final walk-about and Big Momma had numerous piddles and puddles... She walks so well on lead and doesn't pull at all... As we walked through the park close to my house, I was so impressed with her stance and proudness on the walk... For all the power she possesses, she hasn't tried once to use it with me... She watches me constantly and listens absolutely so well to me... And it takes a lot to impress me as those who know me well will readily tell you!
We think Big Momma is a Boxer/Pitty mix... I have always liked both breeds, but favored much smaller sized dogs because of my back issues... Should she have a notion to, Big Momma could cause a world of hurt... Her muzzle is huge and the power could be scary... Even her body is so heavy and tight with muscles... She could easily pull me if she had half a mind to, but I can walk with relaxed lead on her every time...
When I brought her home from the rescue shop, I had to make a pit stop at Lowe's to pick up a few things... She went into the store with me and I can't tell you the number of people who had to stop and pet her... While there were some folks that appeared to be a bit nervous about her size and appearance, Lowe's staff brought her doggie cookies... Even the cashier had to feel her belly and he just about freaked out when one of the puppies kicked him! It was cute to see, but it was educational for a few folks that might have changed their opinion about these breeds too, ya know?
Our family tradition is to have slow roasted pork, sauerkraut with carraway and mashed potatoes... Leftovers are even better, and that was my lunch this afternoon... Big Momma sat at my feet and looked so patiently at me, I couldn't resist giving her some... She's not been eating a lot the past day or two, but boy did she like what I was having for lunch! She's been turning her nose up at kibble even with wet food mixed in, so I had to go and warm up some more slow roasted pork and kraut just for her... And she gobbled it down, licked her lips and looked for more!...
This afternoon I sat with her and massaged her belly... She leans into you as if to say, "More, more"... I have never ever seen a dog this massive with puppies in 31 years of rescue... Her belly swings side to side with every step and I can't help but feel for her... I'm hoping she goes into labor very soon 'cause I just can't see how much more that belly can stretch!
The pups have moved down low now and earlier the temp reading dropped below 99, so maybe tonight is the night. Her whelping area is set up and ready for her, complete with a huge ortho bed underneath. Her mammary glands are SO engorged... If she doesn't go into labor soon, I'm thinking I'll take her to our vet and see what he says about what is going on...
So we are still on baby watch.... (sigh)... Hopefully it will be soon!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Checking in...
Just checked on LemonCello again... No babies yet.... (sigh)... Once she delivers, I will sleep a LOT better! LOL
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