J&A's Brittanys - Holly Beth Week 5

Holly Beth is now in her 5th week of pregnancy already.  Waiting to confirm her pregnancy seemed like an endless wait.  I was very hopeful based on how she was behaving.  This included her preference to crate herself away from the busy-ness of our multiple dog family as well as being extra super cuddly and snuggly. 

There are several local veterinarian services where we are faithful to utilize regularly.  For our canine reproductive needs we do rely on Broadview Animal Hospital. Recently, they opened a brand new facility dedicated to reproductive services in Dover, NH.  A week ago we brought Holly there on Day 28 for her utlrasound. With the Covid19 rules in place, we pulled up into the designated curbsite service site and notified staff we were there.  Within a few minutes  someone came out to the truck to escort John and Holly Beth into the building. I waited in the car with two of our grandsons. John went in while the ultrasound took place.  Here's the actual video!

Holly's Ultrasound Confirming Puppies!

When John came out with Holly, he held up two fingers to tell me how many pups were seen on the ultrasound.  I was simply happy to confirm that she was pregnant. My mind quickly accepted the small number because past experience has shown there's usually more pups than are seen on the ultrasound anyway.  As John climbed into the truck he said there were 2 x 5 puppies.  I gasped - 10?!!   He said at least 10.  By now I was trying to wrap my head around that number.  I've never heard of 10 embryos being clear enough to decipher at 28 days.  Then, when the official report was issued to us it indicated there were 11 embryos with 11 heartbeats. It's still very early, obviously.  But we're going to remain hopeful and confident and trust God for an uneventful pregnancy resulting in a safe and healthy delivery for Holly and for her puppies. 

Holly has always had her mother Treasure in her life, they were so very close.  When Holly was pregnant before, it seemed that the mother/daughter bond was especially notable. I wonder if that is why Holly withdrew more that usual during the first two weeks. We had no morning sickness this time. For me, that's always been a sure sign when it occurred right at 3 weeks. But physically there were several signs that would support the notion she was pregnant.

We just waited with great joy through 9 months for the arrival of our great grandson and consequently observed our beautiful granddaughter go through each trimester of her pregnancy. He's already a week old and cute as cute can be!  Read all about it here: 

The first stage of canine gestation (embryogenesis) is when the embryo itself is formed and developed. It is considered to be a very delicate stage of development. This stage ends about 35 days and then the second stage takes place which is called the fetal stage.  The organs are now starting to form and the embryo is referred to as an actual fetus. Although there is less risk of developmental issues during this second stage, John and I will continue to remain cautious as far as rough play and strenuous exercise with Holly goes.

Once we learned last week that Holly is pregnant, we immediately switched her dog food.  Last week we started to feed her Purina Pro Plan FOCUS puppy food.  This is the same food that her pups will be weaned with and what we advise feeding at least for the few months in their new home. Holly's appetite was clearly 'off' for a few weeks and we enticed her for the time being with cooked chicken, boiled hamburg, and occasional steak and white rice. Now that Holly is eating the puppy food, her appetite has improved.  Typically we feed our dogs once in the morning and once in the evening.  As Holly's pregnancy advances she will be offered 5 small meals a day.

Holly has started to look pregnant.  Her ribs are well sprung right now.  Soon her abdomen will also reflect the ever growing puppies. In the weeks to come she will loose most if not all of the hair on her tummy.  We will be able to feel the movement of the puppies. 

Right now my "puppy cave" contains a rack holding John's saddles, totes from spring cleaning our closets, and a bunch of extra stuff.  My roll away bed is still there.  The ROKU t.v., air conditioner, small refridgerator, bathroom, sink and running water all will make the transition for me easier as well as for Holly.  Our family cradle (the whelping box) will be set up again soon.  I look forward to the weeks ahead. 

Based on the actual measurement of the Holly and Oly's puppies, the due date is September 14. Based on when she was bred the due date is September 18. I will block out that entire week on the calendar and begin to take her temperature about September 4. That way I can establish a base temperature which makes it easier to better detect approaching labor. Last year Holly's temperature dropped in the morning and within a few hours she had her first pup right out on the front lawn!  I had let her out to pee and imagine my surprise when she decided to begin whelping.  

On the family front, my sister underwent major surgery lasting over 7 hours yesterday. The surgery included putting a stent in to repair/fix an aneurism located within her abdomen.  I have heard from my niece she is recovering well from the surgery and we're taking that one day at a time. I am overwhelmed lately with family stuff. Some of it is is wonderful and other parts not so much, I continue to covet your prayers. 

Stay tuned!  

Thank you for your ongoing interest.  I'll try to keep this updated in the weeks ahead so you can follow along with Holly's pregnancy.  Don't forget to read or re-read the Monk's of New Skete "Art of Raising a Puppy".  While I don't agree with every training technique especially the alpha roll it is still fun to use it as a guide to follow along as pups themselves develop.  

Remember, deposits are all due right now and the entire litter is spoken for!

Take care and God bless,  John and Ann, Holly, and All Things Brittany

The Joy of Becoming a Great-Grandmother Again!

Clearly updates about puppies and life here at ATB are frequently the subject and focus of my little blog here. Even so, the recent results of Holly's ultrasound as shared on Facebook absolutely pales in comparison with a much more significant announcement!

You may remember that a year ago we became great-grandparents for the first time when our oldest granddaughter gave birth to her beautiful daughter! In a couple of weeks, we will all be celebrating her first birthday. It is unbelievable how quickly the time has passed.  She is beautiful, smart, and brings so much joy and smiles to all of us who love her.  My granddaughter and her husband truly are loving, caring, and responsible parents. It blesses my heart to simply watch and observe the three of them together. I'm currently working on a very special birthday gift for the 'baby' soon to be toddler. 

I have shared that as surely as I can remember the joy of becoming a parent when our son was born, then our daughter's birth, and then in time the joy of holding our very first grandchild and each one that followed, to become a great grandmother has brought an even deeper awareness of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next to the next and to the next. And now the blessing continues. That is more than words. 

Just a few days ago I received a text from my (next to the oldest) granddaughter who became an auntie last year at this time.  Her text said "I'm on my way to the hospital, I love you grammy." 

She was in the early stages of labor! I asked her what hospital she was going to. It ended up we were in the same town so I inquired if she and her husband needed anything.  They were all set and promised to stay in touch with us. My promise in return was that I would keep them in my prayers and told them how much I loved them. 

From that point on over the next day and a half, John and I kept a close watch on our text messages.  I don't usually keep the sound on for my notification settings but turned them up high!  It wasn't that the momma to be was a high risk pregnancy, but she had been in a serious car crash early in her pregnancy so that was on most of our minds throughout the following months. Indeed, God was faithful to watch over and protect her and her baby for she walked away from an overturned vehicle. 

If ever anyone glowed throughout their pregnancy, this momma to be did. Because I respect their privacy there will be no pictures shown here. But for friends and family on Facebook, you surely agree already.

Throughout the night and into the next morning personal text messages kept us informed. This was so appreciated.  I had joked with my granddaughter I didn't want Facebook to tell me that my great grandson had been born! It's different being a great-grandparent. It is an entirely wonderful new season. You're sort of on the outside looking in at times simply because there is the immediate family, the grandparents, and then the greats. This is not a bad thing! If you are familiar with the first 8 verses in the Book of Eccliastes and/or the classic song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds the wisdom experienced through the many seasons of life becomes clear. 

I am one who absolutely hates to intrude on personal space, I never want to be a pest or a nuisance.  Perhaps sometimes this is to my own detriment; perhaps there are times I am too sensitive to this.  I practiced the art of being patient when our great granddaughter was born last year and did my best to do the same this time!  John, our daughter, and I were so excited knowing this precious little BOY was on the way! 

On Wednesday morning the text arrived from the proud new dad that "HE IS HERE!" Then, God love him, he sent me two pictures of his beautiful new family! One picture that the new dad sent me was of my granddaughter holding their brand new just born baby boy close, and the second picture was of the three of them. The baby was just minutes old and although we couldn't physically be there, we were sharing in that moment with them with so much joy and love in our hearts. And yes, the tears did fall.

Soon afterwards our granddaughter sent a text and photographs too and I was just so happy and yes, relieved to hear from her! In the photos she sent me it appeared that her sweet little son was actually smiling!  The love between the three of them could easily be seen as the little family bonded together in these precious and private first moments of, indeed, the first day of the rest of their lives! And imagine our joy early the next morning when she sent a new photo of our new great grandson  captioned  "good morning'! 

I want to say too, it has been a joy to observe our son become a grandfather.  He is known as "Papa".  My daughter in law is "Nannie" and she too has obviously enjoyed this new season of being a grandmother. In retrospect, John and I were just about their age when we became grandparents for the first time.  

A baby, says Carl Sandberg, is God's opinion that the world will go on!  Congratulations to our granddaughter and her husband, and their precious, precious baby boy.  May God faithfully watch over and protect you all as He has done from generation to generation.

Take care and God bless - John, Ann, and All Things Brittany

On another note... August seems to be a very popular month for birthdays in our family, including my own.  And now, as I begin yet another year around the sun my heart is just so very full!  Yet, even in the fullness of joy in gratefulness for so many of God's blessings, I find my heart is being stretched. I have often counseled women of various ages to always be mindful not only of which season of life they are living in, but where they happen to be in that particular season. Is it beginning? Are they in the middle? Or is there one coming to an end with signs of the inevitable transition into the next.  Personally, I am on the threshold of the latter.  Dear ones who know me best, as often as I share unspoken prayer requests, I ask for you to carry me on the wings of your own prayers. Sometimes, silence is golden.