Yes, you heard that right, the shift we all have been waiting for has finally taken place!
Working with natural creatures never is consistent or predictable as much as I possibly try to do the best I can to make them so. There is always room for another '1st' in what I do and yet again here is another. I have never had a dog, let alone 2 go for this long in between heat cycles... and we aren't even there yet. To keep me on my toes even further the dog I was not expecting to come into heat for at just another 2-6 wks. Has cycled 'early' and has now beat the other 2.
It's nearly impossible to schedule any other life when these dogs run off their very own secret schedules and of course, I nod my head, adjust, flex, move, and am at their beck and call whenever they need me. It's what I do, it's what I love. It was Meiko who shifted early, so her litter will be in the making 1st. What is very common with females that live together though, is that when one cycles they all cycle. Ha! I have been trying to get prepared for this possibility but it's still incredibly daunting. I will welcome each and every pup I am blessed with and will take on any and all litters that are gifted to me to be able to pass along to you all. There are many steps ahead that still need to take place to have this or any litter happen but this process now is in motion moving forward.
Tonka is very aware of this new shift that has happened and is doing all the things he should be doing so far. He is fully cleared to be paired with Isla and Meiko this time round. I just performed an echocardiogram on him as a extra level of testing which he passed with flying colors. He is more than ready to be 'put to work' and I simply am itching with everything I am to see what he produces. Even though this will be his first litter, I have no doubt he will do just fine and I am not worried in the slightest.
I am watching Isla and Leia like hawks on mice as I now expect them to shift any day as well with this new energy in the air.
I am extremely excited for it all. I have been for awhile as I've been going through extreme puppy withdrawals, but now so even more. For all the families on my list, let me explain how this will pan out.. Even though ideally I would have liked to have these litters ahead spread out... that is not what mother nature had in store for us so we adjust. Now there is a massive benefit to all the families on board. You will have 3 full litters to consider. You all are on a master list but you also have been assigned to a certain litter depending if you voiced to me that you had a certain pairing request. For the families that were perfectly fine with whatever pairing and just wanted a pup at the earliest date then this Meiko/Tonka litter is probably your best bet. For those that requested either Isla or Leia, I have no doubt especially now that the dates for these 2 litters will not be much different than Meiko's. Of course like I mentioned, there are many steps ahead that still need to take place but I am hopeful for new life soon! Once breeding has taken place I will have a tentative date for ultrasound pregnancy confirmation, arrival date and everything in between. I won't get too ahead of myself but yes I am ecstatic for this next chapter here on the Homestead.
Our field trip out this week for our yearly OFA Health testing went exceptional.
It was hot and the dogs felt it for sure but our appointment was early and the windows stayed down which helped. They traveled well with the help of no breakfast and dramamine on board. We were lucky this year with a somewhat nearby clinic and not 2 - 3 hrs away so that was a huge bonus. Eyes were all cleared and updated. Heart checks were cleared and updated to the higher level and as an extra bonus to go on Tonka's personal record we preformed a full echocardiogram on him. All tests were passed with flying colors.
All 4 dogs loved the extra attention of course and everyone oo'ed and aw'ed over them all. The testing clinics always have the best of best there and every single dog of every single breed that attended was gorgeous.
I have my personal preference but I adore a well bred dog of any breed. So the outing was a real treat for me.
Back home and immediately the pool came out and was filled multiple times throughout the day.
The humidity was like walking through slime so the pool was a nice relief for them all. Isla at one point almost fell asleep laying in the water. Calcifur our new Homestead resident around here continues to taught the dogs and help with their cat desensitization.
Strutting up and down the fenceline, sleeping under the nearby rhubarb or walking the top rail of the dogfence. I've never had a cat so bold in my life. The dogs look for him constantly and scour the yard until they spot him. He's usually not too far away. Their little buddy, brother from another mother.
I am extremely hopeful for the next steps ahead and can't wait to have new life around here again soon!!!!
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