Day 10 - Nearly dee day?!

Poor Summer!  She's not been allowed to be let off her lead for ten days now, and her walks have had to be taken later in the day so that we don't bump into any male dogs. 

Up to Day 8 (and inclusive) of her season, she was very sleepy in the morning, but yesterday (day 9) and today, she's been a little more perky, which is why I feel sorry for her not being able to have a really good run around!

Regarding her season, the blood isn't as deeply red coloured and is a more watery pink (she is gently wiped with toilet roll) but still an obvious amount.  As this is our first time watching her so closely, I rang the breeder of the stud dog for advice, and they said whilst the mating time is imminent, she's most likely not quite ready.

The thoughts are that Monday will be D-day when we take Summer to meet Claude for mating. If we are a little early, Claude (I am told) will not try to mate our girl (he's a gentleman)...  If they do mate (she will hopefully be agreeable), the sperm lives for 3 days, so even if they mate before Summer has ovulated, we have a window of 3 days for the sperm and egg/s to fertilise.

There will be 2 matings. These have to be 48 hours apart to give the sperm enough time to be at its strongest.

Yesterday, I took Summer to play with Harris. They weren't their usual bouncy selves but as always, were very happy to see each other. Forty minutes after we arrived, we looked outside to the garden where they were playing, and Harris was on Summer's back, humping. Poor Harris, hasn't got his bits, so there will never be "an outcome", but we quickly distracted them, and no damage was done.  It was interesting for me to see that she would seem to be quite happy in this situation (one, I have to admit, I am not totally comfortable with, and dreading having to watch)!

Tomorrow is the Virgin London Marathon, so it'll be a busy day as I spend some time marshalling the outside of the Red Start, and then move onto Canary Wharf to timekeep. Number 1 child will be in charge of walking and lunch feeding, but he's tall and walks fast, so I know she'll enjoy her time with him, even if it is on the lead!