Farmington Valley Golden Retrievers

This morning at 1:45 AM Emma began having her pups. She has been restless for the last 36 hours, and Barb and I have kept close watch over her in the whelping box area. So far six, no, now seven, healthy pups have arrived safely. Four males and two females and now another female as I write this. She is still in labor and we expect another one to three pups. Here are a few initial pictures with more to follow after her labor has ended. What a mom she is! Thankfully everyone is doing well.

Thanks to the computer knowledge of our eldest son, Mike Jr., we found a way to put Emma’s XRay from yesterday at the vet on our blog. The puppies at her back end are so crowded together, it’s like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Counting the actual number of puppies is impossible, even with the magnifying glass that I tried. At least eight is what Dr. Feldman and Barb and I can figure. This number fits in with the last utrasound I did. But it is very possible to miss one or two with these stuffed quarters. So we will have to patiently wait and be surprised, and we may have to do another XRay, after her labor appears over to be sure everyone is out. Enlarge the photo by clicking on the XRay and try your own count if you would like. The easiest way is to count heads or spines.

Preparations for the birth took on a more urgent pace last night when we took Emma’s temperature and found that it was already under 100 degrees. Usually our dogs run 101 plus. When the temp is below 100 degrees at term and then drops further, that usually signifies labor will start within one to two days. So we hastily made up my cot and got the final equipment and supplies ready.

For those readers that are new to us and our breeding habits, my new place of sleep for the next three weeks will be by the whelping box. We don’t want to take any chance of a little pup getting into trouble, and especially want to prevent Emma from inadvertently rolling onto any of them. Vigilant and interrupted nights are nothing new to an old obstetrician like me, but it certainly will be different hearing puppy squeaks rather than the sounds of human labor. Emma is at my feet sleeping while I type this. Despite having a house full of company and lots of things to still do for the holiday crowd that is coming, Barb or I will continually keep watch.

The anticipation is building here for Emma’s labor. Her due date is 12/28/06. This just adds another level of excitement to the preparations we are going through for the influx of family and friends due to arrive at the end of this week for the holidays. We are expecting family from Mexico and friends from England along with our local folks and friends. All our children will be home also. Should be quite a household gathering, and if Emma goes into labor early, everyone will get an extra special treat. Though I’m not sure Emma will appreciate delivering with an audience of twenty plus people. She is definitely looking like a wide body from the back.

Emma had her bath this week by us. The other dogs went to the kennel for their grooming, but we did not want to let her out of our sight. Plus we wanted avoid any possibility of her picking up some cough or illness that might have been around.

She is moving a lot more slowly as you can imagine. She takes her time getting on and off the bed and waits for the light to go on before she jumps down. A very smart mom to be! She doesn’t try to keep up with the other dogs on our walks now and stays close to me more than ever.

In two days we have a visit to the vet for an XRay, so we can gauge more accurately the number of pups inside her. There are a good number of families waiting anxiously for their safe arrival. The countdown continues.

Like children hopefully awaiting Santa’s magical coming and treasured gifts, we await the promise of new life and golden beginnings for the week after Christmas. Barbara and I and our whole golden family wish our family, friends, and clients much health and happiness during this holiday time.

Our whelping box, like an empty stocking, sits ready to receive life’s new blessings.

Our three “wise” stuffed animals are like the three friends who kept Solo company when she was the only occupant from Emma’s last litter. They were meant to help socialize her since she didn’t have any other littermates.

I hope you enjoy these photos of “Christmas past”.

Best wishes to all,
Barb and Mike.

Two days ago Emma and I had an adventure that ended much differently than planned. She is getting very large with still two plus weeks to go, so I thought there has to be more than six puppies in there. I intended to go to my office and see for myself.

First though, I had to stop by The Delivery Room to pick up some new office keys from my partner working there. It was an unusually quiet day, and so all the nurses were gathered together talking. When they heard Emma was in the car, they insisted on having her come visit and do her ultrasound there. In the elevator I bumped into my very distant cousin, Dr. Michel Bourque, who is a pediatric surgeon (Our family lines split off in the 1600’s but that is another story). He just happened to be looking for a dog, and also happened to have his camera with him. So in we all went. Emma didn’t recognize any familiar smells and so was nervous. Lisa, a golden owner and friend, helped me hold her for the study. Here are the results.

The ultrasound machine shows three circular areas representing puppies inside their amniotic sacs. The close up photo printed shows two. I would guess that she is carrying at least 8 to 10 pups. Now we just need a safe arrival.