"TREASURE"

Five weeks ago tomorrow John and I began the first of several journeys with Treasure to visit Gibson. If all goes well, pups should arrive in about 4 more weeks.  Although we have not made any official announcement yet (you know how cautious I am) the above pictures were taken this morning.  In the top photo she has stretched her rear leg out in back of her, something we see mother dogs to be frequently do as pups develop and grow.  Treasure also did a little rabbit "thump" sound with her foot, another action we see in advancing pregnancy.  Both of these behaviors often increase as the rib cage expands and the abdomen becomes full and uncomfortable. Also seen in the bottom picture is the change in color and size of her nipples, noticeable especially when there has been a previous litter of pups.   Treasure's appetite is suddenly very particular and she is unusually picky about her food.  Liver now becomes a staple food daily added to her diet.  I boil 1 pound at a time and then can it in a 1 qt. Mason jar with the juice it was cooked in. We add some of the liquid and chopped up liver to each meal, and refridgerate the rest.  Treasure is now fed several very small meals throughout the day to keep her comfortable as the assumed pregnancy continues.  She's also apt to need to eliminate more frequently now so these needs are considered as well.  Yogurt and salmon oil are increased as we switch her specifically to food formulated just for puppies.  She also gets a "Tums" daily which works, as the puppy food does, to meet her need for calcium which plays a very important role now.  Treasure's beautiful top coat is undergoing changes now too as there are so many waves to it now and she is sprouting fuzzy winglike hairs on the side.  Eventually all the hair will come out in the immediate area that surrounds her nipples.  After pups are born, she will "blow her coat" which means she will shed excessively due to the hormonal changes which occur.  Soon I will begin to prepare a special treat for her simply referred to as "nursing mother's pudding".  This is a homemade recipe based on the filling one would use for a cream puff and includes several eggs, whole milk, and corn syrup.  During whelping it's important to offer this to her to help fight exhaustion.  It's more important than ever for Treasure to receive her daily amount of excercise and free runs.  She needs good muscle tone and strength during delivery of pups.  We will stock up on @Pedialyte which will be her liquid refreshment in place of water when pups arrive; it restores her electrolytes and will also combat dehydration.

John is hard at work preparing our new 'puppy room' which is also our grooming studio. This area is now heated and has electricity. As I type I can hear the sound of the drill as he continues to make everything perfect.  It may be time to think of Christmas lists for most people, but here at ATB we are crossing things off of our 'Puppies Cometh" list!  We're also sharing the joy of knowing Bailey's 2 little boys, now over a week old, are doing so well with Paul and Dawn in Connecticutt - Jacks grandpups and Wish's great grandpups!  Jack is also going to be a father again in New Hampshire with the arrival of pups from "Jasmine" about a week before Treasure and Gibs pups are anticipated.  Inquiries continue and we are looking ahead to our future program knowing several wonderful homes are already lined up even into 2012, and for that we are thankful.  For the time being though, we have limited reservations for this coming litter to 7 however those on lists for future pups stand a good chance of a Treasure/Gibson pup if she has more.  John and I are enjoying communication with so many wonderful families who remain as hopeful as we are.

I think today we are going to put our Christmas tree up.  Usually we get in on the first weekend in December and often go and cut one down.  We picked ours out in a Sanford parking lot and spent way too much money for it - $35.00 !!! WOW~!  But we have it.  And yesterday John dragged all the boxes with decorations out from storage.  In all honesty I'm not chomping at the bit to decorate for Christmas AT ALL. Not that I don't enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - but I guess I'm at the point where some of the trimmings surrounding it are a little overwhelming this year.  I did make some Christmas cookies yesterday and some of the shopping is done.  We always stretch our shopping out over the month and John is good friends with Santa Claus. 

Speaking of which - the sounds of construction seem to be drawing to a close. I best make way for the Christmas tree before it arrives in my living room and I'm not ready!

Take care and God Bless, thank you for your interest and especially know how much we appreciate the many experessions of love and support regarding the untimely death of our friend Jim and words of sympathy for Julie.   John, Ann and ATB