Counting down the last week of pregnancy!

We are counting down the last days of Misty's pregnancy as her due date is from Saturday, Oct 3 to Wednesday Oct 7.    I have a range for her delivery date, since you can calculate the date from the first breeding or the last breeding.  We do not know exactly when she conceived her litter.

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Look look how much rounder Misty has grown compared to a month ago when I groomed her! (see last post)

So far this pregnancy has been going very well for Misty.   She has been eating well and looking great.  Even as her stomach has grown into a 'pot belly', she still does not look to be too uncomfortable, only much less energetic.  Which is perfectly normal as she is carrying a lot of puppy weight.

We are all ready for the delivery now.  I shaved Misty's fur off her belly, so she would stay cleaner with the nursing puppies.  We set up the baby pool with plenty of absorbent towels and newspaper handy..

A blanket adds to the privacy.

Misty likes her new cave.

Over the last few weeks Misty has been disappearing under beds to take her daytime naps.  It makes her feel more secure being in an enclosed space.  But I prefer to see and hear her.  So today I made her a cave by draping blankets over an extra large crate.  Hopefully I access her progress well enough that she does not deliver any puppies in there. I prefer for her to whelp in the baby pool where I can reach in and clean up.  But we will see what happens.











I expect Misty still has a few more days before delivery, as she hasn't been sighing, whining or avoiding food, which often happens when a dog is in early labor.   So please be patient.  We may have several more days to wait.

Last Grooming before the Whelping.

Here is a photo of Misty taken on Aug 30 at her last grooming before she had a puppy bump.   I knew she would be getting rounder quickly in September and not so comfortable standing on the grooming table.   So I did one last full groom before her whelping.

Because I like to stretch grooming as long as possible, I cut Misty's fur on her back very short.  You you can see her skin through the fur.  She looks a little grey because of this.  But her fur grows quickly.  Within a week or two the fur will fill in and she looks white again.   (see photos taken  a few weeks later in the post that follows)

Misty stands 14 inches tall and weighs 20 lbs.   She is a calm loving Schnauzer who is happiest on a walk or curled up on our lap watching TV.    She is eager to please and quick to learn.    Her puppies will be just as sweet and lovable.  Most likely they will even be smarter the the Schnauzer since their Papa is a Poodle (the second smartest breed of dog )  I am excited to see the adorable Schnoodle puppies that Misty and Ricky the Poodle will produce.

Miniature Schnoodle litter Due Oct 3

I just took a look at the calendar and was a little shocked to realize we have only about 2 weeks to Misty's Due date of October 3.    I have been noticing Misty looking very pregnant, but it seemed like October was still a ways off.   With the start of school and all the activity around that, September is flying by!   I need to put my mind back in puppy mode fast.   That means getting out the whelping box and whelping supplies.  It pays to have everything ready a few weeks early because puppies can arrive as much as  1 week early.   And so two weeks can easily turn into 1 week.  

Please note that I always announce litters on the blog as soon as I can humanly do so.   Sometimes it can be pretty exhausting waiting for the last puppy, especially if I have been up all night with a laboring dog.  But I am always very excited to share the news, so check the blog periodically beginning Sept 26, in case the litter is born early.

For those people who are near the top of the Miniature Schnoodle Waiting list, I will call you if there is a puppy available for you.  I want to wait until the litter is born, so we will know how many boys and girls we have.   I start at the top of the list, and work my way down.   I will email the first 7 people now and make sure I have their current phone numbers ready.   If anyone is not ready for a puppy in December (at 8 weeks old), then I will find that out as well.  We are very excited for our upcoming litter!   I am sure you are excited too!

These photos taken last week.  Misty grows rounder every day!

Update on Bear at 3 months old

Hi Mary,
I thought I would send you an update.  Bear has started puppy classes.  He is very smart, but a little head-strong.  Potty training is going well.  Still some accidents but not too often.  He is the sweetest and cutest pup ever.   We can't take him anywhere without people young and old wanting to pet him.  He is already 6 lbs. just to give you an idea of how the litter is gaining.  Hope you enjoy seeing what a beautiful boy you raised.  You recognize the other puppy....He loves that stuffed dog!
Thanks,
Hilda

Thank you for the update and photos, Hilda!   I do love to see the puppies growing bigger and fluffier!  Bear is absolutely adorable.  Thank you for providing Bear with such a loving home!   ---Mary