Monday 28th April.
The past week has just flown by and it has not been without drama but there is a light at the end of tunnel and with each passing day the puppies become stronger and hopefully less vulnerable.
Last wednesday whilst walking the dogs I noticed that Lela had what seemed to be a large chunk missing from her back. I quickly realised It was quite deep as the muscle could be seen and that It would need suturing. So,much of Wednesday was tied up with her, she required a general anaesthetic and was given a course of antibiotics and of course the wound was sutured. The next morning I was confronted with a dog with a chewed off lampshade (Motsi) and a wound where most of the sutures had been bitten out. Fortunately she had not been able to get the deeper ones so I dressed the wound and now I have a constant battle with her re keeping her bandage on. The wound is gaping but It is clean and I am confident It will heal but It is an added stress I could do without right now.
The weekend was very fraught and once again It was Kasidi and her puppies that caused all of the anxiety. Her puppies developed runny stools on Saturday and she just refused to clean up after them so by 11 am I hd already washed and dried 3 sheepskins and I noticed that Kodak was failing. I have never wormed the puppies as early as 2 weeks, I usually start at 3 weeks but I decided to worm the pups and I commenced supplementing Kodak. He had become too weak to suckle from his mum so I hoped by boosting him I could give him the strength he needed to compete with his rather large littermates. It was quite a stressful time for me and there were times when I thought I was going to experience my first loss but he did get stronger as the day progressed. I set the alarm for 03.30 (although that was wishful thinking as I have yet to get one good nights sleep) and after his feed he was able to nurse from his mother. Yesterday he was doing well but then this morning he seemed to be off a little so I have supplemented him again today and once again he has picked up. I think what is happening is during the night the bigger dogs are pushing him around and he doesn't get to feed. He is a lovely boy, a little smaller at the moment but I will introduce him to raw meat in a couple of days and I know he will catch up with his brothers and sisters.
Ruby is the ultimate perfect mother,she serenely gets on with the job of mothering and I have no concerns over their progress. She keeps her box immaculately clean and her puppies barely make a noise. Her pups are now up on their feet and their teeth are starting to come through. They have also started to play with one with another but keep falling over as they cant quite support themselves for very long. I also wormed Ruby's pups for the first time yesterday.
Things have been a little calmer today so I have tried to catch up with phoning people who are interested in one of the pups. I think I am going to ask for a deposit this time around as I am responding to many enquiries and I need to know who the commited prospective owners are. I always have owners drop out at the last minute and I think by asking for a deposit it shows commitment from both sides.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Ruby and Kasidi
Monday 21st April.
During the weekend It became quite obvious to Mark and I that kasidi's puppies were definitely more fractious than Ruby's and the only difference we could come up with was the antibiotics that Kasidi was taking for her mastitis. So, yesterday afternoon I decided that, as she had been taking for them 8 days, I would stop them and what a difference It made. I got up once during the night at 03.30 and It was infact Ruby's puppy and had my ears not been on ultra alert I would not have heard the pup anyway.
The pressure inside the whelping box must be intense for both of the girls at times so I always encourage them to come on the walk in the morning and Kasidi came with us for the first last time Friday. It was so lovely seeing the girls running through woods with the other dogs, their responsibilities put aside for a while. Psychologically It must be so good for them to have that small break. What is funny is on the return home they are both out in front and when we reach the back door they both compete to get to their respective box first.
I checked all of the puppies for sinus again today and just generally gave them a good going over. Alex cut the nails of Ruby's pups yesterday and I will do kasidi's later this afternoon.
They are all gaining weight and are all looking very plump. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, so much so, that I have switched the heat lamps off. A small saving on my enormous electricity bill.
I have always used the extra thick vetbed for my dogs which is a synthetic sheepskin and is excellent for puppies. It always keeps the puppy dry as liquid seeps through to the bottom plus It is very warm and cozy. It is available everywhere back home and everyone uses it but I have only been able to find one place in Florida that sells It but It is not the thick one that I like. Mark, much to his annoyance, brings my vetbed from England in an extra suitcase.
Ruby's pups eyes have opened and their ears look more normal and they all look like proper little dogs now. They have very dark masks and my favourite is Sawyer which is silly really as I should not have a favourite at this early stage.
During the weekend It became quite obvious to Mark and I that kasidi's puppies were definitely more fractious than Ruby's and the only difference we could come up with was the antibiotics that Kasidi was taking for her mastitis. So, yesterday afternoon I decided that, as she had been taking for them 8 days, I would stop them and what a difference It made. I got up once during the night at 03.30 and It was infact Ruby's puppy and had my ears not been on ultra alert I would not have heard the pup anyway.
The pressure inside the whelping box must be intense for both of the girls at times so I always encourage them to come on the walk in the morning and Kasidi came with us for the first last time Friday. It was so lovely seeing the girls running through woods with the other dogs, their responsibilities put aside for a while. Psychologically It must be so good for them to have that small break. What is funny is on the return home they are both out in front and when we reach the back door they both compete to get to their respective box first.
I checked all of the puppies for sinus again today and just generally gave them a good going over. Alex cut the nails of Ruby's pups yesterday and I will do kasidi's later this afternoon.
They are all gaining weight and are all looking very plump. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, so much so, that I have switched the heat lamps off. A small saving on my enormous electricity bill.
I have always used the extra thick vetbed for my dogs which is a synthetic sheepskin and is excellent for puppies. It always keeps the puppy dry as liquid seeps through to the bottom plus It is very warm and cozy. It is available everywhere back home and everyone uses it but I have only been able to find one place in Florida that sells It but It is not the thick one that I like. Mark, much to his annoyance, brings my vetbed from England in an extra suitcase.
Ruby's pups eyes have opened and their ears look more normal and they all look like proper little dogs now. They have very dark masks and my favourite is Sawyer which is silly really as I should not have a favourite at this early stage.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Puppies
Thursday 17th April.
It is very similar to having a newborn baby right now in that no matter what time I go to bed I can guarantee that two hours later I will be woken up by the puppies and that pattern continues throughout the night. It is always a puppy left behind in the box at feeding time and It is always Kasidi's puppy. Ruby however has eleven puppies and I never hear a murmur out of them at all.
Today I weighed all of the puppies and they are all gaining nicely , Kasidi's puppies are particularly rotund and some of them are as big as Ruby's. Viao is 2lb. 4oz as is Sawyer but most impressive is Air who now weighs 1lb.6oz.
All of the collars were replaced as they were already becoming too tight. I have decided for ease of identification Ruby's male pups will wear white collars and the girls orange and Kasidi's males will wear blue and the girls pink.
I noticed this evening that Cairo's eyes are showing the first signs of opening which is very exciting as I always see this as the first milestone.
I apologise for the lack of photos but my daughter has the camera in Spain right now(ours has seen the better light of day) I also hope I am not repeating myself but I can always blame that on tiredness.
Kasidi's pups are already looking much lighter, Its amazing how dark they are at birth and then how quickly the colour fades. The top of the head is always a good indication of the true colour of the puppy.
Motsi is showing great interest
and has already ventured into Ruby's whelping box under very tentative supervision of course. Raiza is also showing mild interest in the puppies but Brewster is completely ignoring them.
It is very similar to having a newborn baby right now in that no matter what time I go to bed I can guarantee that two hours later I will be woken up by the puppies and that pattern continues throughout the night. It is always a puppy left behind in the box at feeding time and It is always Kasidi's puppy. Ruby however has eleven puppies and I never hear a murmur out of them at all.
Today I weighed all of the puppies and they are all gaining nicely , Kasidi's puppies are particularly rotund and some of them are as big as Ruby's. Viao is 2lb. 4oz as is Sawyer but most impressive is Air who now weighs 1lb.6oz.
All of the collars were replaced as they were already becoming too tight. I have decided for ease of identification Ruby's male pups will wear white collars and the girls orange and Kasidi's males will wear blue and the girls pink.
I noticed this evening that Cairo's eyes are showing the first signs of opening which is very exciting as I always see this as the first milestone.
I apologise for the lack of photos but my daughter has the camera in Spain right now(ours has seen the better light of day) I also hope I am not repeating myself but I can always blame that on tiredness.
Kasidi's pups are already looking much lighter, Its amazing how dark they are at birth and then how quickly the colour fades. The top of the head is always a good indication of the true colour of the puppy.
Motsi is showing great interest
and has already ventured into Ruby's whelping box under very tentative supervision of course. Raiza is also showing mild interest in the puppies but Brewster is completely ignoring them.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Kasidi's Puppies
Wednesday 16th April.
Here are the details of Kasidi's puppies:
1) Adobe A dog born at 23.30 WT 1.5lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear.No kink in tail.
2) Flash a boy born at 00.05 WT 1.3lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
3) Flex a boy born at 01.30 WT 1.2lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
4) Apple a bitch born at 02.00 WT 1.3lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
5) Air a bitch born ? soon after Apple WT 130z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
6) Vaio a dog born at 02.20 WT 1.30z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
7) Coral a bitch born at 03.15 WT 1.2 perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail
8) Kodak a dog born at 03.55 WT 1.10z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
9) Zenith a dog born at 04.20 WT 1.20z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
10) Intel a bitch born at 05.45 WT 1.10z off set crowns on ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
11) Norton a boy born at 06.30 WT 1.2 perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
12) Sony a girl at 20.30 WT 1.10z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
I am pleased to say all of the puppies are doing well as are their mums. They have all gained weight on a daily basis.
I took Kasidi to the vets on Monday. She was X Rayed to eliminate puppy retention, given another dose of oxytocin and commenced antibiotics. Her back mammary glands are now functioning and I am quite confident we will not have an abscess deveoping.
Here are the details of Kasidi's puppies:
1) Adobe A dog born at 23.30 WT 1.5lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear.No kink in tail.
2) Flash a boy born at 00.05 WT 1.3lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
3) Flex a boy born at 01.30 WT 1.2lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
4) Apple a bitch born at 02.00 WT 1.3lb perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
5) Air a bitch born ? soon after Apple WT 130z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
6) Vaio a dog born at 02.20 WT 1.30z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
7) Coral a bitch born at 03.15 WT 1.2 perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail
8) Kodak a dog born at 03.55 WT 1.10z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
9) Zenith a dog born at 04.20 WT 1.20z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
10) Intel a bitch born at 05.45 WT 1.10z off set crowns on ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
11) Norton a boy born at 06.30 WT 1.2 perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
12) Sony a girl at 20.30 WT 1.10z perfect ridge, first sinus check clear. No kink in tail.
I am pleased to say all of the puppies are doing well as are their mums. They have all gained weight on a daily basis.
I took Kasidi to the vets on Monday. She was X Rayed to eliminate puppy retention, given another dose of oxytocin and commenced antibiotics. Her back mammary glands are now functioning and I am quite confident we will not have an abscess deveoping.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Kasidi's Puppies
Sunday.
Kasidi delivered her 10 pups (details to follow) Last puppy born at 06.30. Last night we were watching TV, (Mark and I were dozing as we were both exhausted) when we heard a cry from the puppies, Alex went to over to investigate and declared Kasidi was passing a placenta, he then shouted the placenta was getting bigger and out popped a puppy, 14 hours after the last puppy. A beautiful bitch with a perfect ridge. This meant Kasidi had 11 pups and Ruby 9 so I decided to offer Ruby Kasidi's first born pup Adobe. I knew this was risky but It did in fact work very well. Kasidi was fast asleep when I put Adobe in with Ruby and she immediately licked It, the puppy then made his way to her teat and had his first taste of milk as he was only getting colostrum from Kasidi. He has now adapted very well to his new family. He is very easily identifiable as Kasidi's puppy as he is the only one with white front feet.
This afternoon as I was sat in Kasidi's box I noticed I had two puppies with the same named collar. This confused me somewhat but I guessed tiredness had caused the error, as I went through the puppies all were accounted for but I still had 2 called Apple. I counted the puppies and the total came to 11 but we had passed a puppy to Ruby the night before so I was now very confused. I consulted my paperwork from Kasidi's deliveries and can only surmise that after Apple had been born another bitch arrived that I was totally unaware of. When later I saw a puppy without a collar I thought I had forgotten to put Apples collar on.
So Kasidi had 12 puppies, seven dogs and five bitches. The last puppy is called Air and she weighs just 13 ounces, the smallest puppy we have ever had. At the moment I am vigilant as to her welfare, I have already supplemented her with a high calorie food for fading puppies and just hope that she does well. I have never lost A puppy and certainly do not want to do so now.
Both Ruby and Kasidi have their whelping boxes side by side and from time to time they peer into each others boxes to see whats happening. They have never had a fallout and I am confident they will be fine over the coming months.
I will give details of Kasidi's pups tomorrow. I had very little sleep again, last night choosing to doze on the sofa. In the early days what seems to happen is a puppy becomes stranded at one end of the box and cries when he knows siblings are feeding. So I am constantly picking up puppies and placing them with their mother. This is only during the very early days and I also needed to maintain temperature in the living room via the stove.
UPDATE. 19.30
Kasidi's milk came in today and this evening I have noticed a problem. The back 2 teats particularly the lower one is hardening and feeling warm and the puppies will not feed from them. In view of the fact that 11 puppies now have only 9 teats I have handed over Flex to Ruby. He is feeding quite happily and Ruby appears happy to have him.
I have started Kasidi on Clavamox 500mg which fortunately I always have on standby and she will go to the vets in the morning. Her temp is slightly elevated but I suspect It is going to go up more before It comes down. This is all very unfortunate and I feel fraught with worry, the puppies are so vulnerable at this early stage of their life.
It is going to be another long night.
Kasidi delivered her 10 pups (details to follow) Last puppy born at 06.30. Last night we were watching TV, (Mark and I were dozing as we were both exhausted) when we heard a cry from the puppies, Alex went to over to investigate and declared Kasidi was passing a placenta, he then shouted the placenta was getting bigger and out popped a puppy, 14 hours after the last puppy. A beautiful bitch with a perfect ridge. This meant Kasidi had 11 pups and Ruby 9 so I decided to offer Ruby Kasidi's first born pup Adobe. I knew this was risky but It did in fact work very well. Kasidi was fast asleep when I put Adobe in with Ruby and she immediately licked It, the puppy then made his way to her teat and had his first taste of milk as he was only getting colostrum from Kasidi. He has now adapted very well to his new family. He is very easily identifiable as Kasidi's puppy as he is the only one with white front feet.
This afternoon as I was sat in Kasidi's box I noticed I had two puppies with the same named collar. This confused me somewhat but I guessed tiredness had caused the error, as I went through the puppies all were accounted for but I still had 2 called Apple. I counted the puppies and the total came to 11 but we had passed a puppy to Ruby the night before so I was now very confused. I consulted my paperwork from Kasidi's deliveries and can only surmise that after Apple had been born another bitch arrived that I was totally unaware of. When later I saw a puppy without a collar I thought I had forgotten to put Apples collar on.
So Kasidi had 12 puppies, seven dogs and five bitches. The last puppy is called Air and she weighs just 13 ounces, the smallest puppy we have ever had. At the moment I am vigilant as to her welfare, I have already supplemented her with a high calorie food for fading puppies and just hope that she does well. I have never lost A puppy and certainly do not want to do so now.
Both Ruby and Kasidi have their whelping boxes side by side and from time to time they peer into each others boxes to see whats happening. They have never had a fallout and I am confident they will be fine over the coming months.
I will give details of Kasidi's pups tomorrow. I had very little sleep again, last night choosing to doze on the sofa. In the early days what seems to happen is a puppy becomes stranded at one end of the box and cries when he knows siblings are feeding. So I am constantly picking up puppies and placing them with their mother. This is only during the very early days and I also needed to maintain temperature in the living room via the stove.
UPDATE. 19.30
Kasidi's milk came in today and this evening I have noticed a problem. The back 2 teats particularly the lower one is hardening and feeling warm and the puppies will not feed from them. In view of the fact that 11 puppies now have only 9 teats I have handed over Flex to Ruby. He is feeding quite happily and Ruby appears happy to have him.
I have started Kasidi on Clavamox 500mg which fortunately I always have on standby and she will go to the vets in the morning. Her temp is slightly elevated but I suspect It is going to go up more before It comes down. This is all very unfortunate and I feel fraught with worry, the puppies are so vulnerable at this early stage of their life.
It is going to be another long night.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Kasidi and her puppies.
Saturday 12th April.
Kasidi has delivered 6 boys and three girls overnight and she has been remarkable. Very quick and no problems. Superb ridges in all puppies, one bitch slightly off set.
More to follow when I have had some sleep.
Still might be one more puppy.
Kasidi has delivered 6 boys and three girls overnight and she has been remarkable. Very quick and no problems. Superb ridges in all puppies, one bitch slightly off set.
More to follow when I have had some sleep.
Still might be one more puppy.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Puppies
Friday 11th April.
It was a routine delivery and because Ruby is so good at disguising the early stages of labour time just flew by. The first puppy was:
1) Cairo a bitch born at 0300. WT 1lb.30z correct ridge. No kink in tail. First sinus check clear.
2) Nairobi a bitch born at 04.11. WT 1lb.50z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First sinus check clear.
3) Marseille a bitch born at o4.21. WT 1lb.30z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
4) Sawyer a boy born at 05.00. WT 1lb.70z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
5) Rio a boy born at 05.40. WT 1.5lb. correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
6) Berlin a boy born at 06.06. WT 1.1lb. Extra crown on ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
7) Rome a boy born at 06.30. WT 1lb.30z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
8) Beijing a boy born at 08.45. WT 1.3lb0z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
9) Tokyo a born at 10.55. WT 1.40z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
Mother and pups are doing very well indeed.
Kasidi is in labour as I type and I have no real measure of how far she has progressed .
Kasidi wears her heart on her sleeve and lets me know the first moment she has a contraction. I could be up all night tonight with her and still not see her first puppy until tomorrow night.I am keeping my fingers crossed we will be finshed by the morning.
Mark arrives tomorrow, supposedly in time to help with the whelping and as usual he has got off lightly.
It was a routine delivery and because Ruby is so good at disguising the early stages of labour time just flew by. The first puppy was:
1) Cairo a bitch born at 0300. WT 1lb.30z correct ridge. No kink in tail. First sinus check clear.
2) Nairobi a bitch born at 04.11. WT 1lb.50z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First sinus check clear.
3) Marseille a bitch born at o4.21. WT 1lb.30z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
4) Sawyer a boy born at 05.00. WT 1lb.70z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
5) Rio a boy born at 05.40. WT 1.5lb. correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
6) Berlin a boy born at 06.06. WT 1.1lb. Extra crown on ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
7) Rome a boy born at 06.30. WT 1lb.30z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
8) Beijing a boy born at 08.45. WT 1.3lb0z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
9) Tokyo a born at 10.55. WT 1.40z. Correct ridge. No kink in tail. First check for sinus clear.
Mother and pups are doing very well indeed.
Kasidi is in labour as I type and I have no real measure of how far she has progressed .
Kasidi wears her heart on her sleeve and lets me know the first moment she has a contraction. I could be up all night tonight with her and still not see her first puppy until tomorrow night.I am keeping my fingers crossed we will be finshed by the morning.
Mark arrives tomorrow, supposedly in time to help with the whelping and as usual he has got off lightly.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Puppies
Thursday 10th April.
Wednesday was the day I was going to start taking Ruby's temperature, more for a benchmark so I could detect a change. When the reading came out at 97.3 I knew we were on our way. On the walk yesterday she was rooting around in the leaves but she always does this a couple of days before she has her puppies and I just took it as normal behaviour for her. The drop in temperature took me by surprise but I knew I had plenty of time, in my mind I thought they would come sometime today.
The first puppy, a girl called Nairobi arrived at 3am this morning. Puppy number 7 a boy was born @ 6.30. We have 3 girls and four boys, one boy has an extra crown and the rest of the pups have beautiful ridges. I want Ruby to deliver the remaining 2 pretty quickly as It is now 8am and this is the largest gap. She is pushing now.
Wednesday was the day I was going to start taking Ruby's temperature, more for a benchmark so I could detect a change. When the reading came out at 97.3 I knew we were on our way. On the walk yesterday she was rooting around in the leaves but she always does this a couple of days before she has her puppies and I just took it as normal behaviour for her. The drop in temperature took me by surprise but I knew I had plenty of time, in my mind I thought they would come sometime today.
The first puppy, a girl called Nairobi arrived at 3am this morning. Puppy number 7 a boy was born @ 6.30. We have 3 girls and four boys, one boy has an extra crown and the rest of the pups have beautiful ridges. I want Ruby to deliver the remaining 2 pretty quickly as It is now 8am and this is the largest gap. She is pushing now.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ruby and Kasidi
Monday 7th April
As most people who read this blog will know Ruby was not supposed to have a litter of puppies and she will be spayed later on in the year but the way she carries her puppies is quite incredible. She really is not very big at all when compared to Kasidi but the X Ray taken this afternoon confirmed she is carrying 9 puppies.
On the other hand, Kasidi, who is enormous, has nine maybe 10 puppies but looks like she is carrying 15.
Both of the dogs were impeccably behaved, I was very proud of them. They are wonderful examples of their breed. There was a young boxer in the waiting room with "issues" and they just ignored him. They are now lying on the deck sunbathing.
My only concern is they have both lost their appetite and they both appear fed up but I can relate to that as I think the last week of any pregnancy is tiring for anyone or any thing.
I am now worrying about ridges, dermoid, and anxious that all of the puppies will have a safe delivery into the world. I know I have been very lucky in that so far I have never had a puppy with a sinus and the ridges in all of my litters have been very good. I read somewhere the more litters you have, the more you worry because you are more aware of all of the things that can go wrong. This so true in my case.
The next step for me is to start recording their body temperature as a drop is the first indication of the onset of labour.
As most people who read this blog will know Ruby was not supposed to have a litter of puppies and she will be spayed later on in the year but the way she carries her puppies is quite incredible. She really is not very big at all when compared to Kasidi but the X Ray taken this afternoon confirmed she is carrying 9 puppies.
On the other hand, Kasidi, who is enormous, has nine maybe 10 puppies but looks like she is carrying 15.
Both of the dogs were impeccably behaved, I was very proud of them. They are wonderful examples of their breed. There was a young boxer in the waiting room with "issues" and they just ignored him. They are now lying on the deck sunbathing.
My only concern is they have both lost their appetite and they both appear fed up but I can relate to that as I think the last week of any pregnancy is tiring for anyone or any thing.
I am now worrying about ridges, dermoid, and anxious that all of the puppies will have a safe delivery into the world. I know I have been very lucky in that so far I have never had a puppy with a sinus and the ridges in all of my litters have been very good. I read somewhere the more litters you have, the more you worry because you are more aware of all of the things that can go wrong. This so true in my case.
The next step for me is to start recording their body temperature as a drop is the first indication of the onset of labour.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Dogs and Things.
Wednesday 2nd April.
My thoughts are with the desperate people of Zimbabwe right now as they move into the fourth day of waiting for the outcome of their election. The BBC are reporting that Morgan Tsvangirai's party are neck and neck with Robert Mugabe's and that It may go to a second round.
Some of my happiest memories are from my time spent in Zimbabwe. It was 1983 and even then, Robert Mugabes 5th Brigade were systematically slaughtering the opposition. (the Ndbele people) I lived in Matabele land in a small town called Hwange close to Victoria Falls. I was lucky to find a job in the pharmacy of a small hospital which was run by British nuns. My boss was a lovely Irishman who was most probably an alcoholic, I was suppose to be second in command and we had 2 local men called Solomon and Isaac who were the technicians. I remember one day dispensing a prescription for a baby called Bornfree, such was the optimism of the people at the time. I wonder if Bornfree is alive to day to see the wholesale destruction of her country. I heard on the news the other day that the average life expectancy of a Zimbabwean is 35.
We called our first Ridgeback Joshua after Joshua Nkomo who was the leader of Matabeleland at the time I was there. This was also the first time I encountered the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
I would like to keep a male from Kasidi and Raiza and my thoughts are that I should dedicate my dogs name to Morgan Tsvangirai, just cant figure out an abbreviated version. Maybe we could call him Tsvang pronounced Chang.
We woke up to horrible snow this morning and although Ruby and Kasidi would have preferred to stay at home they came on the walk and really enjoyed themselves. I do feel It is important to keep them fit so they are prepared for the huge task they will face in a couple of weeks. Uterine inertia can be a problem in bitches that have a large litters and fitness plays an important part in preventing this.
Ruby is becoming increasingly fussy with her food. She knows that when she is feeding her puppies I give her lots of chicken and tuna and this time around she is holding out for the same even though the puppies are yet to be born. I feed my dogs Evo which is a highly palatable dog food with no grain but she is even turning her nose up at that. Sprinkle something from our food table and she will wolf It down. I am happy to play her little games If It keeps her happy as she is carrying very precious cargo.
Kasidi is looking enormous but I will not know until next week how many puppies she is carrying.
My thoughts are with the desperate people of Zimbabwe right now as they move into the fourth day of waiting for the outcome of their election. The BBC are reporting that Morgan Tsvangirai's party are neck and neck with Robert Mugabe's and that It may go to a second round.
Some of my happiest memories are from my time spent in Zimbabwe. It was 1983 and even then, Robert Mugabes 5th Brigade were systematically slaughtering the opposition. (the Ndbele people) I lived in Matabele land in a small town called Hwange close to Victoria Falls. I was lucky to find a job in the pharmacy of a small hospital which was run by British nuns. My boss was a lovely Irishman who was most probably an alcoholic, I was suppose to be second in command and we had 2 local men called Solomon and Isaac who were the technicians. I remember one day dispensing a prescription for a baby called Bornfree, such was the optimism of the people at the time. I wonder if Bornfree is alive to day to see the wholesale destruction of her country. I heard on the news the other day that the average life expectancy of a Zimbabwean is 35.
We called our first Ridgeback Joshua after Joshua Nkomo who was the leader of Matabeleland at the time I was there. This was also the first time I encountered the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
I would like to keep a male from Kasidi and Raiza and my thoughts are that I should dedicate my dogs name to Morgan Tsvangirai, just cant figure out an abbreviated version. Maybe we could call him Tsvang pronounced Chang.
We woke up to horrible snow this morning and although Ruby and Kasidi would have preferred to stay at home they came on the walk and really enjoyed themselves. I do feel It is important to keep them fit so they are prepared for the huge task they will face in a couple of weeks. Uterine inertia can be a problem in bitches that have a large litters and fitness plays an important part in preventing this.
Ruby is becoming increasingly fussy with her food. She knows that when she is feeding her puppies I give her lots of chicken and tuna and this time around she is holding out for the same even though the puppies are yet to be born. I feed my dogs Evo which is a highly palatable dog food with no grain but she is even turning her nose up at that. Sprinkle something from our food table and she will wolf It down. I am happy to play her little games If It keeps her happy as she is carrying very precious cargo.
Kasidi is looking enormous but I will not know until next week how many puppies she is carrying.
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