J&A's Brittanys 5th Week Pregnancy Update

Here's our girl recently, catching a sunbath on the warm patio. 

See Holly's Facebook Album

Already, time is flying by!  Seems we just announced Holly and Bullet Man's breeding and then confirmed her pregnancy and now we're at 5 weeks along, more than half way through the 63 days of gestation.  For 4 long weeks we wondered 'is she or isn't she?'   as we looked daily for any telltale sign that Holly was going to have puppies. 

By way of review, the very first week after Holly was bred her demeanor seemed to change ever so slightly. Then, a week later, there were moments that she actually looked wider.  At three weeks along I was looking for her to have morning sickness in the form of throwing up but that didn't happen. Instead, all Holly really wanted to do was seek the privacy of her crate, her den, and rest.  Also that third week when 'suppah' was announced for the dogs, she ran in the opposite direction with her tail tucked between her legs and refused her food no matter how we doctored it up.  Once we discovered the one thing Holly would eat was boiled chicken breasts in broth we stocked our freezer with chicken breasts. Fortunately, it was on sale for $.89 a pound! 

Day 30 of a dog's pregnancy is the best day for an ultrasound and for Holly, that's the day our hopes were finally realized. Upon arriving at the vets we weighed Holly and learned she had gained 4 lbs. in 4 weeks. After the weigh in John, Holly, and I were led down the hall, through the doors towards the back room of the animal hospital. Familiar faces waved and greeted us as we passed by, making mention we hadn't been there for awhile.  John gently positioned Holly on her back into the x-ray cradle. We enjoyed jovial conversation with the vet and her reproductive  assistant while Holly relaxed, trusting John completely.  

The equipment used for the ultrasound was so high tech! The ultrasound

(sonogram) uses high frequency sound waves to view inside the body and produce pictures. Unlike X-ray imaging there is no exposure to radiation. It is very safe and there is no danger. With the appearance of a lap top, the ultrasound scanner used on Holly had a transducer (probe) attached.  This was placed directly upon and drawn across her tummy, sending those precious images to the ultrasound machine itself.  One by one, clear and precise images appeared on the monitor screen as we heard the news "well, she definitely has puppies!"  With each movement of the probe across Holly's tummy area we heard "there's another one, and another one, and another one..." and the tiny little beating hearts were pointed out to us on the screen. So don't you know that for sure the tears fell.  John and I hugged each other and then he kissed Holly Beth.  A true happy, happy, joy, joy moment for the ATB family. 

Of course I couldn't wait to call Julie and let her know that Bullet was going to be a father again.  My phone call went something like this "Hey Julie, Holly has some news for you, she wanted to make sure you have a happy birthday!"  It was the day before Julie's birthday so what an appropriate announcement and Julie was of course just as overjoyed as we are.  Good job Bullet Man, as has been said, the dude does not shoot blanks!

Returning to this soon!

So that's our first 5 weeks!  Holly's rib cage is widening, her finicky eating continues, desire for privacy ongoing, and she has also thrown up. She's very cuddly and affectionate. Toph is progressing along a similar course and in time will have her ultrasound too. Her family is excited and I think I told you already the kids have picked out litter nicknames relative to the Fourth of July! Next week we'll begin transforming my grooming studio back to our puppy cave. A lot of work but something I look forward to. 

In the meantime and as always thanks for your interest!  Take care and God bless you and yours.  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

PS There's been such a great quality of inquiries and we thank you. We're excited and happy for those of you are waiting for a puppy. But remember, we're not going to pester anyone once we've requested additional information etc. including the questionnaire. The window is closing on Holly & Bullet's litter!