FIVE WEEKS - 27 May 2013
I can't believe that the time is flying by so fast! We are less than a month away from Puppy Time!
There hasn't been too much to report on in this last week, except Harris (Summer's boyfriend) has become very respectful of her - no chasing or rolling when we go for walks.
Summer our pregnant Tibetan Terrier is very very hungry and we have now upped her meals to three a day, but only a touch more than she was having with two meals a day. The change in her was instant and she stopped begging quite so much.
We have decided to introduce an Arden Grange puppy food into Summer's food, as instructed by all the books and our vet, and this will then be used to start weaning the Tibetan pups from about 2/3 weeks old.
Summer's tummy is growing. I didn't think we'd see this early on, but we can. And if we are out walking, and I bump into someone to talk to, she lies down on the floor (lazy!)..
She is still being fed a Raspberry Leaf pill everyday, which I crush in a think plastic sandwich bag and then mix with a touch of peanut butter. When I get the peanut butter out of the cupboard, I turn the lid and say to Summer "And what is this?" - and she licks her lips! I kid you not. I do this each time... Makes me laugh anyway ;-)
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
4 WEEKS
Well we're quite excited, because Summer our lovable Tibetan Terrier dog is actually now showing signs of pregnancy. This is, signs that the books and websites signify as such!
Yesterday - 4 weeks and one day - she started having a clear discharge and we noticed that her nipples had most definitely grown, although the colour of them doesn't seem to have changed greatly. Nothing major, but it is great, at last, to finally find some actual, real, not imagined, clues!
Yesterday - 4 weeks and one day - she started having a clear discharge and we noticed that her nipples had most definitely grown, although the colour of them doesn't seem to have changed greatly. Nothing major, but it is great, at last, to finally find some actual, real, not imagined, clues!
Sunday, 19 May 2013
DAY 28
Four weeks tomorrow. Goodness time is passing quickly!
There hasn't been too much to add in the last week, but I am told we could really start noticing some changes in the hopefully, pregnant, Summer, our wonderful Tibetan Terrier...
As this last week developed, Summer went from being quite sluggish and tired, to showing a fair bit of her old self by the end of the week. That is, she was running up to other dogs to say hello and running after sticks, and generally not slouching as much or sleeping as much as she had been.
I have had a busy week so haven't been around so much, and next week will be the same. I've started to warn people with whom I have made arrangements with, that I may not be able to meet them/attend meetings (athletics, that is), and will keep them informed.
Summer is loving her Raspberry Leaf pills as we crush them and mix with a little peanut butter. As soon as the peanut butter jar comes out of the cupboard (unopened of course), Summer starts to lick her lips - it's quite comical!
Oh. We've ordered some "business cards" with our details on so, as so often happens, when we meet someone who would like to know more about the puppies or potential new puppy owners, they know how to contact us.
For now... donnabs@ntlworld.com <I may have to deleted this if I get spammed>...
There hasn't been too much to add in the last week, but I am told we could really start noticing some changes in the hopefully, pregnant, Summer, our wonderful Tibetan Terrier...
As this last week developed, Summer went from being quite sluggish and tired, to showing a fair bit of her old self by the end of the week. That is, she was running up to other dogs to say hello and running after sticks, and generally not slouching as much or sleeping as much as she had been.
I have had a busy week so haven't been around so much, and next week will be the same. I've started to warn people with whom I have made arrangements with, that I may not be able to meet them/attend meetings (athletics, that is), and will keep them informed.
Summer is loving her Raspberry Leaf pills as we crush them and mix with a little peanut butter. As soon as the peanut butter jar comes out of the cupboard (unopened of course), Summer starts to lick her lips - it's quite comical!
Oh. We've ordered some "business cards" with our details on so, as so often happens, when we meet someone who would like to know more about the puppies or potential new puppy owners, they know how to contact us.
For now... donnabs@ntlworld.com <I may have to deleted this if I get spammed>...
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
DAY 23 - Signs?
It was 3 weeks yesterday that I took Summer to meet Claude for the first time!
And there does seem to be some changes. I think!
"Walk? You've got to be kidding!!"
Summer loves her Harris (Claude's brother), and they trot around the parks and fields together, occasionally touching noses or diving into the undergrowth to chase a pheasant or squirrel.
On Monday (DAY 22), Judy and I drove to one of our favorite haunts, Nonsuch Park, which is located between Ewell (pronounced "Yule") and Cheam. If there is a doggie heaven, Nonsuch Park is what I'd expect it to look like - wide expanses of grass land, lots of trees, a few ponds, woods - and lots and lots and lots of dogs!!
Summer and Harris particularly like the wooded areas and grasslands behind them, but today, for the first time ever, Summer started turning her back on Harris. She was so excited to see him initially, but as soon as he wanted to start playing "roll Summer" she decided this was not for her... Most of the walk she just trotted happily between me and Judy, trying her luck for some food, by tapping the sides of our legs about knee-height, with her nose.
Today - DAY 23
The bluebells are out
Summer (above)
Summer and Harris, trotting side by side
Summer and Harris met again. A local walk where there is parking next to Connick Tree Care (south of Reigate), and you can stroll through public fields and a stunning and very well kept woods, where today, the bluebells were in full bloom. We hadn't walked this route since the beginning of the winter, so rather than be interested in play, both Tibetan Terriers had their noses to the floor / trees / flowers / grass... Even out in the open, they didn't partake in their usual romping! It makes me a little sad. But to think Summer could be one third of the way through pregnancy already, is actually very exciting.
Harris (above) and Summer (below)
Last night I watched a series of Youtube videos about some Maltese puppies being born. It was educational, as I'd never seen puppies be born before. The series also followed the puppies at 2 weeks and 4 weeks.
More bluebell pics
Possibly a time of year that most would miss...because they don't have a dog!
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Three Weeks Pregnant (we hope)...
As of tomorrow (Monday 13 May), Summer will hopefully be three weeks pregnant.
We are desperately looking for signs that she is definitely pregnant, but it's really difficult to tell!
She is very cuddly and cutchie, and is sitting on my lap quite a lot as well as giving us the 'sad eyes' more often...but is it that we're looking too hard for signs, or is she actually pregnant?
As of Tuesday last week, we started to take our Tibetan Terrier for walks where there were other dogs, and whilst the first walk is always unnerving, watching how male dogs respond to her, all seemed fine, so we're sure her season is over.
Summer seems to get a little tireder, although I do wonder if this is because she hasn't had quite such long walks due to her being in season. Or could this be another sign?
On Friday last week, Judy and I took Summer and Harris to Headley Heath, National Trust land close to Box Hill in the Surrey Hills (North Downs). It is a dog walkers paradise, although we have to look out for the horses (but usually only a couple)! The two TTs had a brilliant time, romping and chasing, and Harris played more rough and tumble (although he is very gentle) with Summer, which he hadn't done for the last month. We saw about six other Tibetan Terriers, including a five month old puppy who definitely was top dog in his family (he was dragging his elderly owners and sat in the front seat of the car whilst one of the owners sat in the back - DO NOT recommend this..)!
Rosemary Leaf
From tomorrow, we will start our hopefully pregnant, Summer, on Rosemary Leaf tablets - just one a day. Rose, Claude's owner, recommended it and gives it to her pregnant bitches (Pulis and Tibetan Terriers). Rosemary leaf helps the muscles during and after birth. It's the only pills / supplements I will give Summer, with the exception of some homoeopathic pills Rose gave me for during whelping. The Rosemary leaf should be started from the third week of gestation (mating), until a week after whelping. People seem to either think it's a wonderful product or totally useless - you decide!
Today (Sunday)
Locally every year is the Cowpie Country Show, run by the Surrey Young Farmers. My daughter and I took Summer and we wandered around the fields watching display shows and browsing through the stands. Whilst we've been many times over the last 20 years, I couldn't remember there being quite so many dogs there!
Usually this wouldn't be a problem, but having read THE BOOK OF THE BITCH by J M Evans & Kay White, which is a MUST read for ALL bitch owners, it mentions that during weeks 3 and 4 after mating, that these are "the most vital ones <weeks> for the prospective litter". The book goes on say that the organs and limbs of the puppies are growing very quickly and are susceptible to various things including being stuck in a hot car, infection, poisons, medication etc. It also suggests that from 3 and a half weeks to 5 weeks after mating, you should keep the dog away from shows and training groups where your bitch can pick up infections.
We're still half a week from this period, but I wish I'd thought more about our lovely day out!!
Summer and I love going to Agility Classes with Ann Cook in Reigate. We started Puppy Classes as soon as Summer had had her first jabs and worked through to Kennel Club Gold Level. Sadly, we attempted three times to pass the gold, but she just couldn't do it, so I say "she is trained to gold standard"!! The first two times we took the test, she was brilliant until we got to "Relaxed isolation". The little monkey just wanted to be where everybody else was, and started yapping followed by howling, whilst I was answering the test questions, talking louder and louder in the hope that the examiner wouldn't hear her!! No such luck... ha ha... By the third attempt, we had perfected "relaxed isolation" and did this first. She was perfect! But passing was just not to be, and she decided she was not going to stop (Stop the Dog) when called...
I decided three attempts was quite enough for us both, and we joined the Agility Classes, which are very sociable and great fun for us both!
Summer (taken 11 May 2013)
We are desperately looking for signs that she is definitely pregnant, but it's really difficult to tell!
She is very cuddly and cutchie, and is sitting on my lap quite a lot as well as giving us the 'sad eyes' more often...but is it that we're looking too hard for signs, or is she actually pregnant?
As of Tuesday last week, we started to take our Tibetan Terrier for walks where there were other dogs, and whilst the first walk is always unnerving, watching how male dogs respond to her, all seemed fine, so we're sure her season is over.
Summer seems to get a little tireder, although I do wonder if this is because she hasn't had quite such long walks due to her being in season. Or could this be another sign?
On Friday last week, Judy and I took Summer and Harris to Headley Heath, National Trust land close to Box Hill in the Surrey Hills (North Downs). It is a dog walkers paradise, although we have to look out for the horses (but usually only a couple)! The two TTs had a brilliant time, romping and chasing, and Harris played more rough and tumble (although he is very gentle) with Summer, which he hadn't done for the last month. We saw about six other Tibetan Terriers, including a five month old puppy who definitely was top dog in his family (he was dragging his elderly owners and sat in the front seat of the car whilst one of the owners sat in the back - DO NOT recommend this..)!
Rosemary Leaf
From tomorrow, we will start our hopefully pregnant, Summer, on Rosemary Leaf tablets - just one a day. Rose, Claude's owner, recommended it and gives it to her pregnant bitches (Pulis and Tibetan Terriers). Rosemary leaf helps the muscles during and after birth. It's the only pills / supplements I will give Summer, with the exception of some homoeopathic pills Rose gave me for during whelping. The Rosemary leaf should be started from the third week of gestation (mating), until a week after whelping. People seem to either think it's a wonderful product or totally useless - you decide!
Today (Sunday)
Locally every year is the Cowpie Country Show, run by the Surrey Young Farmers. My daughter and I took Summer and we wandered around the fields watching display shows and browsing through the stands. Whilst we've been many times over the last 20 years, I couldn't remember there being quite so many dogs there!
Usually this wouldn't be a problem, but having read THE BOOK OF THE BITCH by J M Evans & Kay White, which is a MUST read for ALL bitch owners, it mentions that during weeks 3 and 4 after mating, that these are "the most vital ones <weeks> for the prospective litter". The book goes on say that the organs and limbs of the puppies are growing very quickly and are susceptible to various things including being stuck in a hot car, infection, poisons, medication etc. It also suggests that from 3 and a half weeks to 5 weeks after mating, you should keep the dog away from shows and training groups where your bitch can pick up infections.
We're still half a week from this period, but I wish I'd thought more about our lovely day out!!
Summer and I love going to Agility Classes with Ann Cook in Reigate. We started Puppy Classes as soon as Summer had had her first jabs and worked through to Kennel Club Gold Level. Sadly, we attempted three times to pass the gold, but she just couldn't do it, so I say "she is trained to gold standard"!! The first two times we took the test, she was brilliant until we got to "Relaxed isolation". The little monkey just wanted to be where everybody else was, and started yapping followed by howling, whilst I was answering the test questions, talking louder and louder in the hope that the examiner wouldn't hear her!! No such luck... ha ha... By the third attempt, we had perfected "relaxed isolation" and did this first. She was perfect! But passing was just not to be, and she decided she was not going to stop (Stop the Dog) when called...
I decided three attempts was quite enough for us both, and we joined the Agility Classes, which are very sociable and great fun for us both!
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
DAY TEN - Will there be Summer's Puppies?
Summer is still in season.
On Monday (DAY 8) I took her to Box Hill, Surrey, with Judy, and Summer's Tibetan Terrier "boyfriend", Harris. Rather than being totally subdued, as Summer has been for the last week, there were hints of her pre-season self, coming back. We were also able to see that Harris was still interested in Summer (he has been done, so no chance of puppies), as he climbed on her back and started to hump (she let him) - we didn't! I know of a friend's dog who, having been castrated, managed a successful tie. Not a situation I'd want Summer to be in, even knowing there would be no end product!!
Back to 'Box Hill', I can't recommend this stunning area in north east Surrey enough as a place to walk a dog in season. You rarely meet other dogs as the area is so vast. Another favourite, is certain areas of the Woodland Trust's Surrey Hills above Wallingham.
DAY TEN (Wednesday)
Over the last few days we've started to notice that Summer isn't humping her big teddy bear quite so much, and that when road walking, she's not stopping to sniff quite so much either. I'm thinking that her season is coming to an end. We're meeting Harris again on Friday, so that will be the real telling sign!
Other than what I've mentioned, there have been no signs of pregnancy. Summer was very tired last week, but is a little more her usual self. She is more interested in going for walks, is taking me to the freezer to get her a bone and has started coming upstairs again. There has been no blood for about 5-7 days.
We're trying to come up with a KC pedigree breeders name. Each time we come up with something we all agree with, we check and find it is already being used. This really isn't easy!
On Monday (DAY 8) I took her to Box Hill, Surrey, with Judy, and Summer's Tibetan Terrier "boyfriend", Harris. Rather than being totally subdued, as Summer has been for the last week, there were hints of her pre-season self, coming back. We were also able to see that Harris was still interested in Summer (he has been done, so no chance of puppies), as he climbed on her back and started to hump (she let him) - we didn't! I know of a friend's dog who, having been castrated, managed a successful tie. Not a situation I'd want Summer to be in, even knowing there would be no end product!!
Back to 'Box Hill', I can't recommend this stunning area in north east Surrey enough as a place to walk a dog in season. You rarely meet other dogs as the area is so vast. Another favourite, is certain areas of the Woodland Trust's Surrey Hills above Wallingham.
DAY TEN (Wednesday)
Over the last few days we've started to notice that Summer isn't humping her big teddy bear quite so much, and that when road walking, she's not stopping to sniff quite so much either. I'm thinking that her season is coming to an end. We're meeting Harris again on Friday, so that will be the real telling sign!
Other than what I've mentioned, there have been no signs of pregnancy. Summer was very tired last week, but is a little more her usual self. She is more interested in going for walks, is taking me to the freezer to get her a bone and has started coming upstairs again. There has been no blood for about 5-7 days.
We're trying to come up with a KC pedigree breeders name. Each time we come up with something we all agree with, we check and find it is already being used. This really isn't easy!
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