A MINIMUM OF 12

Pieta got her xray today and they say she is "loaded".  There were little puppy skulls and spines all over - up under her ribs, low and high, near the back - everywhere.  It was difficult for the doctor to be sure of the exact count as there was fluid in Pieta's uterus and it had some folds in it.  All normal, just doesn't make the interpretation easy.  I've felt from her size and discomfort that this would be a big litter, just didn't know how much.  Once I got her on the scale, I saw she has gained 15 pounds.  That was a clue of what was to come. Most of the staff came through to look at the film - maybe they will have a pool of bets on the actual number which they want me to call in.  I've got a great vet who gives out her cell phone and is available day or night for any needs.  The room is just about ready to go - Dr. Metzler thinks it will be Oct 3 at the earliest. 

PREGNANT PIETA

THEY'RE MOVING!

Tonight, for the first time, I can feel movements in Pieta's belly.  I can't really feel any kicking yet, it's more like position changes.  It is really exciting.

On the food front, Pieta is eating a little better.  I'm changing what I offer - yesterday it was roast beef and a lot of jus and today it was pasta and back to the Taste of the Wild.  She still is turning up her nose at chicken - maybe she's tired of eating years of it!  She is liking her dog biccuits and more beef jerky. 

Mary Ellen called tonight - she things there will be 14 or 15 pupsters.  Maybe I should start a pool for predictions.........   We'll know before too long.  The hair on Pieta's sides now sticks straight out - pushed out by her expanding girth.  It has make me decide to get the whelping box up this weekend , just to be sure.

JULIA CHILD, I NEED HELP!

Pieta in another inch bigger  (6" so far).  Even though she is not eating so well, she is growing.  I roasted 4 chickens and she turned up her nose.  She was eating Taste of the Wild but no longer.  Last night I had some Pork Buns which she did like.  Tonight she ate cucumber from my salad and I toasted a roll for her.  But no other food.   Even if fed from a fork.  I'm going to cook some eggs and I'll doctor up some more rolls.  Basically, I open the refrigerator and start pulling out things to try.   But not dairy yet as she doesn't need any extra calcium at this time (that's for after whelping).  Send in your ideas - I'm about to open Mastering the Art of French Cooking and call on Julia.

JUST OVER TWO WEEKS TO GO

Pieta continues to grow and at times she is uncomfortable, so she often tries to adjust her position.  She likes being on the tile floor now instead of on a bed.  She's doing some occasional panting as well which looks like Lamaze practice.  Now I am feeding her three times a day as she can not eat the larger quantities at one time.  Today she decided she did not want any more chicken, (freshly cooked), so I'm on the search for the foods she will eat and that are also good for her and the pupsters.  I tried to listen for heartbeats but Pieta did not stay still long enough so I didn't push it.  I think that it should be possible to feel movements by the end of this week so I'll write about that.

BIGGER AND BIGGER

I'm measuring Pieta's abdominal girth in the same place and today she is 5" bigger around than when she was bred.  Her growth in the middle is even bigger.  I'm wondering how long she will still fit through the dog door.  We have our vet appointment for the xray on September 29.  The closer to the actual whelp date is better as there is more calcification on the skulls and spines so they are more visible.  This helps to give the most accurate count of puppies which can be helpful when whelping to know how many to expect.  I've ordered the have on hand medical supplies - I always think that if I have the back up I won't need it, where I might have to make a vet trip if I don't.  I try to do most everything at home so I don't have to take the puppies out shortly after birth.  Of course I would if I needed to, but I've always had the event go smoothly.  It's getting exciting...................

PIETA AS A PUPPY

Pieta was about 9 weeks old here.  She has beautiful jet black eyes and pigment.  She was a thinker puppy, she spent a lot of time watching before acting. We'll see if she has any pupsters like herself.

PICTURE PERFECT PIETA

PREGNANT PIETA PERFECT

ZORRO!

ZORRO WWD IN ACTION!

PUPPY WATCH IN PROGRESS

Pieta is growing!  She is now 2" bigger around her middle than when she was bred one month ago.  She is slowing down a little, but her appetite has returned.  It's too early to feel puppies or see any movement but that time is coming.  This weekend she will get a good haircut so all we will have to do is a belly shave right before whelping.
Here is a picture of Pieta (in back) with her mother, Msabu, in front.  Msabu has always behaved like the elder dog so we'll see what happens when Pieta is also a mom.

INTRODUCTION TO THE PARENTS

Just over one month ago, Zorro and Peita got together.  Zorro, a handsome boy, is officially known as CH Pinehaven Legend of Zorro WWD.  We had been watching him for quite a while for several reasons.  To begin with he is a stunning example of the breed and he has a wonderful temperment to match.  He also has demonstrated his working ability by earning his Working Water Dog (WWD) title.  He has some agility in his future, but right now is getting ready to show at the PWDCA National Specialty in San Luis Obispo in October.  We wish him the best of luck and hope the judge loves him like we do.  Zorro is owned by Mary Ellen Kinnaman in La Jolla, CA.
Zorro has been bred carefully and not overbred.  His first breeding was to a Vindouro bitch, O.G., that I bred and who is owned by Kathleen Doherty, Oakgrove PWD's.  O.G.'s mother and Pieta's father are full littermates.  The puppies from O.G.'s litter came out beautifully.  The puppies were remarkably consistent and their structure was lovely.  Additionally they were fairly easy puppies so their temperments were on target with what I want in this litter.  I'm introducing some other genes from Pieta's mother Msabu, but the characteristics I want are there in her and what she has produced.
I have been planning this breeding for about two years, so it is really exciting that the time is getting so close.
Pieta was my pick dog from her litter.  I had some very experienced PWD people look at those puppies and in the end, Pieta held up to the scrutiny.  She has proven to be what I want with her conformation and personality.  She earned her Championship very quickly and several well respected PWD judges thought she was great.  Pieta has done some training for water work and has her first leg in Rally obedience.  Once we complete all of our puppy work, she will resume some of that.  She is a natural retriever and has a very affectionate nature.  She is the low m an on the totem pole at home, but that doesn't faze her.
So in this combination we have a distant line breeding  from which we hope to continue the positive attributes of past dogs.  We have similar characteristics in both parents - a full, short beautiful muzzle, large wide headpieces, animated expression, well muscled necks, good chests, nice shoulder layback, strong toplines, good hip and rear angles, correct tailset, proportional hocks.  I hope we will get more of Zorro's coat and  I hope we don't get pups that are really big, but I am not too concerned about that as we have smaller dogs behind this pedigree.
So the breedings were about one month ago.  I had picked out the dates, but they were confirmed as appropriate by progesterone testing.  Pieta should be due on October 5, plus or minus a day or two.  We chose puppies this year instead of going to SLO for the National - we'll have other years for that.  I've got the time arranged off from work and spent the weekend inventorying my supplies and making a list of what we need.  We've had about two weeks of morning type sickness - Pieta has become very particular about what she eats.  I have cooked fresh trout for her, pot roast, she's had beef jerky and other proteins.  Most recently she has added some fruits like watermelon and apples.  I think she knows what she needs, I just have to find it.  In the past few days, her appetite seems to be returning.  Her belly is measuring 1" larger than following her breedings so I think things are progressing.  It's a very fun time and it goes so fast.

IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

WELCOME TO MY WORLD OF DOGS!

This is the world my Vindouro Portuguese Water Dogs and I share.  I got my first PWD in 1990 and have been involved with the breed ever since.  The four dogs above are my current dogs and from left to right they are Zoltar (CH Vindouro's Your Wish Is Granted RN, WWD), Pieta (CH Vindouro's A Work Of Art),  Msabu (CH Legado's Impavidez De Msabu AWD) and Kismet (Int'l and Am CH Vindouro's Once In A Lifetime, RN AWD).   Zoltar is the son of my first PWD, Mynx (CH Cutwater's Aida of Brooks JWD, TDI, CGC) and from my first litter of puppies.  Kismet is a grandson of Mynx.  Msabu joined our home and Pieta is her daughter.  I believe Pieta is now pregnant and ready to start her own family.
After coming to love the characteristics of the breed and wanting to participate in contributing quality animals to the breed, I have been involved at the local and national level with PWD's.  I selected my kennel name, Vindouro, as it is Portuguese meaning future generations and I hope my dogs will play a part in the positive promotion and development of the breed.  This blog is intended to chronicle the pregnancy and puppy experience of Pieta.  Stay tuned.............