Do you like this story?
Gratuitous dog-blogging: Is she or isn’t she? edition
By Gina Spadafori
February 12, 2009
For those who are following the saga into my first foray into the ethical, responsible breeding of a litter: McMommy-To-Be (we hope) arrived home at 1 a.m. this morning on a delayed flight from Minnesota. Her trip was as successful as could be, and she now wants everyone to know that, officially speaking, she hates boys. Really, really hates them.
Which is unfortunate for the male retriever here, who got the pre-estrus hatred and the post-estrus hatred, but who saw her disappear for the part where she liked boys a lot, and was in the company of another many, many miles away.
And so now … we wait.
Image: Synchronized sniffing, McKenzie, left, and Woody from last winter. McKenzie will like him again in a few days.
Share & Enjoy
|
Facebook
|
Twitter
|
Google Buzz
|
Digg
|
|
Technorati
|
StumbleUpon
|
Delicious
|
Email
|
Home
This is a lame question, but at what point will you know whether she is or isn’t?
Comment by 2CatMom — February 12, 2009 @ 9:36 am
We’ll have a pretty good idea in a month. Due date is April 5, more or less.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 12, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Good luck McKinzie!
Comment by Dutch — February 12, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
Exciting times!!!
Comment by Nadine L. — February 12, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
I had one girl who early on when she was bred would sit and glare at us, far sooner than even she ought to have known.
I had another who I swear went into labor unconvinced and then looked at the puppies and seemed to say, “well, I have NO idea where they came from but I’ll clean it up and adopt it, now are you happy?”
BTW, many bitches do get morning sickness, but it only lasts a day or so and is so subtle it’s easy to miss. But a little vomiting at 18 days in or so is a great sign.
It’s amazing though how slow the first month seems to go!
Comment by Jenniferj — February 12, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
Ah, this is bringing back memories of when we were in line for a collie puppy and started getting photos of the litter emailed to us when they were about four weeks old, along with notes about how they were doing and what kinds of personalities were emerging.
I don’t think I’d get a puppy again, so I’m looking forward to the vicarious experience with yours, Gina.
Comment by Susan Fox — February 12, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Only one day of morning sickness? Boy, I would have loved that when I was pregnant with a human child. For several weeks, I couldn’t even brush my teeth without needing to hurl (which kind of defeated one of my reasons for brushing).
Good luck to McCutie, though!
Comment by Susan — February 12, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
So no convenient kit with a pink + or minus?
Comment by 2CatMom — February 12, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
One or two days where they maybe don’t eat quite as fast as usual and a little urp up usually in the middle of the night that a fastidious dog might clean up or bury, so it can be hard to spot.
We did a frozen breeding to a long deceased dog a few years back. Everyone was on pins and needles, was she, did it work etc…
19 days in I stepped in a little puddle of vomit in the kitchen, (early morning, no lights on, no coffee) I was so happy!
And Susan, I hear you, morning sickness for months all three pregnancies, blechh
Comment by Jenniferj — February 12, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
Good luck!
Do either parents carry the gene for liver?
Comment by retrieverman — February 12, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Keeping my fingers crossed!
And for the person who asked.. unfortunately there is no early pregnancy test for dogs. Morning sickness (which doesn’t always happen) is usually the first sign, and an ultrasound can be done at about 27 days to confirm the pregnancy if the owner wishes. But that’s already about halfway in, and isn’t really an issue unless you are wanting to show or work the dog if she’s not preggers, and you want to know for sure ASAP.
And Teddy sends his condolences to Woody! He’s so used to living with emotional females, it’s just kind of sad. He’s perfected the canine equivalent of just nodding and saying “yes dear”.
Comment by Barb — February 12, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Do either parents carry the gene for liver?
Comment by retrieverman — February 12, 2009
Nah … all of these puppies (if indeed we have puppies) will be black.
My poor poor Woody-boy. She hates him, and he sooooo wants her. Just a few more days and everything should settle down.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 13, 2009 @ 7:31 am
Poor Woody….Hang in there big boy.
Welcome home McGrouchy and Company, (we hope!)
I know the Queen was hoping your winter holiday would last a little longer. :)
Here’s to hoping the Easter Bunny comes a bit early with some little black bundles for the basket.
Comment by Verde — February 13, 2009 @ 9:56 am
I’m sure hoping your McMommie cause I don’t want to see Verde’s pouting face if there are no puppies. We’ve been through this before and it is VERY disappointing. I’m pulling for you McKutie, McMommie, Mcpuppies!!!!
Comment by Pinnacle — February 13, 2009 @ 6:37 pm