J&A's Brittany's Holly's 6th week

Countdown - 18 Days!

As the collage above shows, Holly is beginning to 'pop' and evidence of her advancing pregnancy shows more each day.  When she lays down on the floor she does what I consider the telltale pregnancy stretch where one back leg extends way out behind the rest of her body. And boy does she love to have her belly gently rubbed!

Holly's appetite is back to normal although she still enjoys some cooked, shredded chicken as a dressing on top of her regular dog food.  This coming week (week 6) we will begin the switch to a puppy food formula. This way she'll be receiving an extra boost of nutrients resulting in a higher amount of energy and protein which is so important at this stage of pregnancy. It'll also help assure that puppies will be healthy.  There are 'all-stage' adult formulas but we have been successful through the years with the switch to puppy food. We'll also increase the total daily amount of food while spreading smaller meals out throughout the day. As puppies grow and develop they obviously take up more space so smaller, more frequent meals are desirable to momma dog.

In a similar way, Maryann told me this past week that Toph had been refusing her food. We talked about ways to help get through this stage and evidently it is cooked, ground beef that Holly's half-sister prefers. She has an ultrasound scheduled soon although I do not expect any surprises.  Ultrasounds are not routine for us but, all things considered over the past 4 years,  early confirmation of pregnancies is warranted this time around!

John judged a field trial this weekend so I worked on pulling the puppy room together.  The room itself has come together so nicely but then again I knew it would.  At one point Holly came in and lay down on a quilt.  Shortly afterwards, Pippin walked in and joined Holly. It was the cutest thing.  Hemi also came to investigate how things were coming along as well as her Treasure.  I sanitized all the bowls and dishes for Holly and her pups and did one big wash of all our puppy 'linen'. My clothes line is currently airing newly washed and disinfected puppy towels etc. and they smell so good! We are getting there.

So that's my exciting blog update for now.  I should have some more news at the beginning of next week to share.  In the meantime, my requests for prayer continue for my dear nephew whose battle against cancer has taken a new turn.  Take care and God bless, John, Ann, and All Things Brittany