2003 | Season | Alda breeding with Dylan | Pregnancy | Ultrasound | Birth | Pups 10 days | Pups 17 days |

| Pups 24 days | Pups 31 days | Pups 38 days | Pups 45 days | Pups 52 days | Pups 58 days |

Pregnancy

Pregnant female breeding stock dogs are brought to the whelping kennel 5 days before their puppies are officially due (gestation for dogs is 63 days).

Sept 23 - "waiting on dinner" postures at 23 days of pregnancy

Oct 12 - 42 days of pregnancy (completed 6 weeks). In the last week we have noticed that she is increasing in size at a much faster rate.

Oct 20 - 53 days of pregnancy (completed 7 weeks).

Oct 24 - 57 days of pregnancy (completed 8 weeks).

For the first 3 weeks:
Alda has been mellow, clingy, and sleeps all the time.
Weight: 63 lb.

After 5 weeks:
Alda's breasts are developing and she is gaining weight (lost her waist line).
Weight: 66 lb.

After 7 weeks:
She is gaining weight fast and slowing down. Her walks are cut in half and we stroll instead of brisk walking, because of her panting. We can feel the puppies pushing inside of her now.
Weight: 75 lb.

After 8 weeks:
She lost her appetite. We have to spike her food with "Natural Balance" dog food sausage, canned dog food, or broken bits of dog biscuits. We are feeding her 3 meals a day of 2 1/8 cups. We can see the puppies pushing on her while she is lying down. Looks like a rolling earthquake. We can hear the pups heart beats when we put our ear to her belly.
Weight: 80 lb.

She has lost her appetite and will hold "cookies" in her mouth for a few seconds before spitting them out or eating them. I taught her the "hold" command so I could take this picture. When I say OK then she pulls it in and eats. Was this the same dog that I was having to teach "leave-it" and it was a real challenge for us?

Movie of Pups kicking: If you squint and look on left side of frame on the hair line, you can see a pup moving.

Movie of breathing:
If you turn up the volume on your speakers you can hear her heavy, whine-like, breathing. The more you pet, the louder she is.

website updated on Oct 27, 2003

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