Updates - Pups and Derby

Babies are doing fine. I started all of them on an antibiotic last night because Emy cut a couple cords really really short and I don't want to chance any umbilical infections. Rather than try to tell which pups had the buzz cuts, they're all getting the med... it's a lot faster!

And I lied! ONE pup has a single back dewclaw. It is the lightest blond male. I'm not taking him over to have it removed... it is attached by just skin, so it will be easily done when he is neutered. Or it can be just left alone (which is what I would do if he stayed here.)

Also, Cotton is 5 weeks along tomorrow and is still very iffy. She has some minor mammary swelling and is still a little puffy in the rear, but her ribs have not sprung and she's really acting just... normal. Of course, she did this the last time and there were 13 little buggers lounging around in there.... If I had to bet on it right this minute, I'd say she was NOT pregnant.

Kentucky Derby on Saturday
The filly is in.
AND she is the 3rd favorite!
The weather is supposed to be wet, looking for a sloppy track and Devil May Care moved up one or two spaces in the odds because she likes playing in the mud. Awesome Act has moved up to 4th for the same reason. Looking at Lucky and Sidney's Candy (MY favorite) are still at the top of the list but both have really bad post positions... Lucky is leaving from Gate 1 and Sid from #20. All things considered, I'd rather be in Sid's spot. Pletcher is saddling just 4 (just!) I hope Devil comes in for him! I'm also watching Super Saver and Line of David. No money on this, you understand!

First Pix of Em's Pups

So here they are, close to 12 hours old. All snug and warm and fed. There will be a different photo on the website... but not by much!

No snake dogs in this litter... I checked for back dewclaws and there aren't any. AND I'm going to check again when I'm functioning at what passes for normal, probably tomorrow.

4/28/10 - They're Here!

Emy had 8 puppies during the night. She started about 3 AM and took about 3 hours. There are 3 females and 5 males (about the normal ratio.) All 3 females are very pale blond... will most likely look like Cotton... while 2 of the boys are the same color (going to be fun figuring out who's who!) and 1 is a wheaten blond (reddish right now, but will lighten up) and the other 2 are a black (with white markings) and a brown and tan (which will also lighten up.) The pups are all toasty warm and have been nursing. They're quiet... somewhat unusual for newborns, but definitely welcome!

I'll take photos later today but will send them out to the folks on the reservation list before posting them.

Nighty-night!

Still No News

Up and down last night, digging in the newspaper, then sacked out pretty much all day. Ate her usual morning meal and has nibbled from time to time since. Has bagged up a little. And that's all there is to report.

However, a word to the wise:
people who call me between now and when these pups are a couple days old, take their lives in their own hands! I'm trying to nap during the day since I'm not getting much sleep at night. And I'm not a pleasant person when I'm tired or sleepy!

Not Yet

Emy is perfectly happy in her own private space. She's stretched out a lot, often on her back with her big ol' belly exposed to the sun coming in the window. (Yep, SUN. We did have some rain last night, but just rain.) Em's eating and going outside with the gang every couple hours. Soooo. Guess the pups are still baking!

Derby Update
Well, darn! My pick... pretty much everyone's pick... for this year's Ky Derby, Eskendereya, is out because of a front leg problem. However, Todd Pletcher seems to be determined to saddle an even half dozen horses for that race this year and there is a possibility his FILLY
Devil May Care, will run. The talk is she will be entered in BOTH the Oaks (for fillies only, on Friday) AND the Derby on Saturday and the decision on which she goes in will be made at the last minute. Her owner says she's a big kid on the track... runs with her ears pricked forward and looking around at all the sights. She's been working in blinkers to see if that will help her concentration, but she still shows interest in everything around her.

And Rachel Alexandra
is going to race on Friday as well. This will be her second time out this year. The first was a second place finish, making her 11 for 15.

Predicting Pups' Arrival 101

Subtitle: Give Me a Break!
For those of you who have checked the blog or website 10 times already today...
no news is not good news.
It's not BAD news, it's just no news.
Even though Ms Emy woke me up several times last night nesting, she is still packing all of the babies inside.
Nesting, for those who don't know, is digging and rooting in the bedding. Since it is a sign of approaching labor, I want to be aware of it, so I always use a thick layer of newspapers. They rustle when the dog starts digging in them and, wah-LAH, I'm awake. For what good it did me last night. And, of course, all day today she's been sacked out.
And the severe thunderstorms haven't reached us yet either... guess that will be
Predicting Thunderstorms 101!

Emy's Reservation List Closed

If I am not already working with you for a spot on the reservation list for the due-any-minute litter from Emy and Sparky, you're too late. Although it's a little early, she's been panting and clingy all day... two signs she's in the early stages of labor. I expect we're going to have puppies pretty soon... if not tonight, certainly during the severe thunderstorms predicted for tomorrow!

Cotton update
Cotton is just entering the 2nd tri-weeks (don't know what the "week" version is for "months") and has a few signs pointing to a pregnancy BUT it is still way too early to tell. She's not put on weight (which is normal) and doesn't have any bulges (also normal for this time of the cycle.) She's galloping around the yard as usual, except her mama (Emy) isn't out there playing chase with her, so the running usually stops pretty quick. Another few weeks and I should have a MUCH better idea what's going on. Hang in there!