Birthday March 5th. One puppy!

What a joy to watch, but it was quick and no time to video, although we do have the pictures taken on day one.

Today is March 13th, and the puppy has doubled in size at least.

Maddy has been an exceptional mum but unfortunately we had to find a new home for Alfie. It broke us up to watch him go, but can rest assured he has gone to a fabulous family with a bigger enclosed garden and 4 girls who love him to bits! He's in heaven!

Can't find a name for our new puppy, as she doesn't have much character at the moment, but she is so lovely, and has the same colouring as Maddy! She is a cuddlebug and we are keeping her. There are a few very disappointed people who wanted puppies, but I can't take the only one away from her, nor would I.

They said there was no money in breeding, they were right in my case, but who cares, they are both happy and well,what more could we want?

As I have not received any comments to this post apart from one, I am assuming no-one reads it, so unless I hear from anyone, I will stop now. It was done for my own records and I'm sure boring as hell for most people, but feel it was a worthwhile exercise, and it got me into blogging!
Bye for now!

Two days left to go! Day 60

Here I am after a while away being very poorly. Sorry if I have let anyone down but I am back now for the event.
Maddy hasn't put on huge amounts of weight, but she is very solid and happy. Her new whelping place has been specifically arranged to accommodate her litter and every eventuality.

I had a phone call today which made me very happy. One lady if going to take two puppies, so they will be together and won't get lonely. Awwwwww!

We have now placed three pups and we will keep one, so all we need now is to see if she has more.

Both my son and I are nervous beyond belief, mainly because we don't want to see her suffer. She is such a kind and loving dog whose only demand is to be played with. If only they could tell us when they are distressed.

She's asleep in her spot right now, snoring and oblivious to what is round the corner...or is she? Who can tell?
What I do know is that I have to give her a good wash tomorrow in preparation for motherhood!

We have a good Camera with video capabilities, so I hope there is time for me to get some live action. Wish us all good luck - we'll need it!

February 11th Days 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43

I have been very worried about Maddy for almost a week now, as she has not been eating well at all. She hated the tinned food I gave her last week, and won't go near biscuits, so it has been back to the grindstone cooking everything from scratch and hand feeding her.

Her walks are getting more sedentary, but she still gets excited and only today had me flat on my face whilst trying to kick her plastic toy. A few cuts and bruises only to be expected, but it was a shock for my old creaking bones.

My butcher is now getting the right idea, as he allows me to buy the liver and mince in smaller packs. The last time when I bought in bulk, there was nowhere to put my own food - the fridge-freezer was chocka block, but we are fine now, with special compartments for the dogs.

Maddy has her feeding nipples, but still doesn't seem that large to me, but then I see her every day.
I shall post some more pictures of her and Alfie taken only yesterday and see what you think

19 - 21 days to go before the birth. Everyone's guesstimate differs, so we will wait and see, but I am hoping she puts on a little more weight in the next three weeks. It isn't for the lack of trying I can tell you.

They are both asleep at my feet again and I somehow have to work, but they will not leave my side even for a second. If I move, they move. Even to the point of when I go to bed, they wait outside the door and know when the time has come to calm down.

Alfie is beginning to get a bit more sensible and is now as much a part of the family as Maddy, his soft brown eyes telling us when he's bored or excited, or he will just plonk himself on your lap when he wants a cuddle. Typical male.

It's weird, but he didn't seem to miss his previous owner for long, and I find that strange, as he only lived a few minutes away.
Most dogs would have gone awol by now, looking for their owners, but not Alfie. Do you think I spoil them, maybe that's it, or is just cats that go back to their previous home????

I will endeavour to write daily from now on, as I can't remember day to day when I leave it, but having been so busy washing all my bedlinen due to Alfie's black feet marks, and all of my wooden floors, it is hard work keeping up with it all. He really is a sod when it comes to trying to make as much work a possible, because when he's dirty, he shakes his coat all over everything and then massages himself on the sofa or traipses Chris's or my bed if I inadvertently leave the door open.

Deep Joy, but we wouldn't be without them.
Speak soon.

Vitamins 8th February

Vitamins were discovered in 1910, however, the diseases caused by various vitamin deficiencies were known long before then. We now know rickets is caused by a Vitamin D deficiency and night blindness is due to a Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamins are essential to life, and with few exceptions can not be made by an animal's body, but must be supplemented in the diet. Function of vitamins Vitamins are necessary for literally tens of thousands of different chemical reactions in the body. They often work in conjunction with minerals and enzymes to assure normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth and function, healthy skin and hair, clotting of blood, and the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body. Classes of vitamins Vitamins are generally classified into two groups based on how or if they are stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissue. Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are stored in only very small amounts by the body. They need to be taken in daily, and any excesses are excreted by the body each day. Fat-soluble vitamins include: Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Water-soluble vitamins include: Vitamin C Vitamin B1 (thiamin) Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Vitamin B3 (niacin) Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and Folic Acid Biotin Vitamin supplements There is always some controversy regarding vitamin supplementation. Many people feel supplements are very necessary. They feel that even when feeding a high quality food, some of the vitamins may have been destroyed by the processing or storage. Pet owners feeding a homemade diet or a diet high in table scraps should give their pet a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement. Ill or recovering pets who may have a poor appetite should also be given a good vitamin/mineral supplement since they are not receiving their daily requirements through the food they eat. The possibility of vitamin toxicity with the fat-soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin A and D, which are stored in the body, is of concern to some researchers and veterinarians. In reality, the amount of Vitamin A and D needed to develop a toxicity is many times higher than what is contained in a high-quality balanced vitamin/mineral supplement. Toxicities do not occur when you give your pet the recommended amount of high-quality, commercially prepared vitamin/mineral supplements. This is not to say over-supplementation can not occur. Supplements must be chosen with care and large numbers of different supplements should not be used together unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Not every animal needs the same supplement. A puppy, a pregnant animal, an ill animal, or a 'senior' pet all have different nutritional needs and supplements should be chosen accordingly. If you have any questions about choosing the right supplement(s) for your pet(s), talk to your veterinarian or a qualified pet nutritionist.

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Feb 5th Days 34, 35, 36, & 37

I have recently added a page from PetEducation.com which I found invaluable and I shall endeavour to heed this advice.

Maddy is content for now but time is again running out and I need to get the basics together to make sure she has as an uncomplicated a time as possible. She is being hand fed and enjoying a dish or two of full cream milk.

I am about to set up a website for dog owners, where we hold data and info about each dog, a kind of kennel club for pedigree dogs without papers and of course other dogs too. We will be recommending people who are in love with dogs..and care about their welfare. Not only will we be giving advice about nutritious food, but we will be enabling pedigree owners without papers to give their dog some much needed kudos within the dog world. Shows across the country, best of breed, winners photo on website and prizes - but best of all, I will be asking the RSPCA and PDSA to get involved, as we will be raising much needed funds for animal welfare too.
This isn't about a charity as such, as we need to make money too, but about The Kennel Club not recognising our dogs without papers.
We would like to build our own club, so they and their beloved pooches can become members of their own K9 Club.

Maddy has a lineage, and so does Alfie, but no-one registered them. The problem here for me was when I went to the Kennel Club looking for a sire for Maddy. They sent me off with a flea in my ear and I was suitably chastisied for even thinking they would look at my dog! Bloody pompous idiots! They should be so lucky to have Maddy in their midst. I wrote and told them exactly what I thought of their snobby and self satisfied smugness, but they ignored me. Hmmmmph! Not for long...

If anyone is interested in joining our new club, membership will be £9.99 per year. It will be called www.K9dataclub.com, but please wait until I let you know it is set up and ready to go, as it is still under construction
We will record data of your animal, send reminders for treatments, give you the opportunity of showing your dog across the country, recommend nutrition and even help you find a mate for your pooch.
There will be training techniques, online pet pharmacies who we recommend - and best of all, your membership will help other dogs who are in distress or in need of treatment as we will be issuing the RSPCA and the PDSA with much needed funds!

It all makes sense ~~~~when you know how! :-)

PetEducation

Caring for Newborns & Their Mother
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The puppies are here. They have been weighed and identified; they have nursed and are now sleeping quietly (except for the normal twitching). Now what? Your job is far from done. Nutrition and feeding The bitch will be ready for some food and water. Bring the dishes to the whelping box, as she will not want to leave the newborn puppies. Do not leave the dishes on the floor in the whelping box, as the puppies could crawl into them. Hang the dishes from the side of the whelping box or offer her food and water at least every 2-3 hours to start. She should be taken outside on a frequent and regular basis to eliminate. Within 2-3 days, the bitch's appetite will dramatically increase to 2-4 times her pre-pregnancy intake. She will need a near constant supply of a high quality puppy food (do NOT use large breed puppy formulas, which are generally lower in protein, fat, and minerals) and water to maintain her weight and health while feeding the puppies. She should still have her vitamin/mineral tablet. She should not look gaunt or thin if her weight is maintained. Ideally, she should weigh the same at the time of weaning, as she did when she was bred. A healthy puppy is firm, plump, and vigorous. Puppies should nurse every 2 hours or so. If they nurse until their stomachs appear round and they sleep quietly, they are eating enough. If they are crying and moving a lot, they are not eating enough. They may be swallowing air, which makes the stomach appear larger. As they become weaker, they will lay still and not cry. A puppy may lose weight in the first 24 hours (less than 10% of birth weight), but after that, the weight should increase steadily. Their weight should double in the first 7-10 days. Before, during, and after nursing, the bitch will lick the stomach and perineal area to stimulate urination and defecation. She will continue to do this for 2-3 weeks. Puppies should gain 1-2 grams/day/pound of anticipated adult weight. Weigh the puppy daily for the first 2 weeks, then weigh at least weekly. A food scale typically works well for weighing the puppies. Failure to gain weight is often the first sign of illness in puppies. At about 3 weeks of age, the puppies will begin to imitate the bitch eating and drinking. A secure shallow water dish should now be available at least part of the day. At 3½ weeks of age, the puppies can start receiving puppy mush. Prepare the puppy mush by placing 2 cups of high quality dry puppy food in a blender with 12.5 oz liquid puppy milk replacer and fill the rest of the blender with hot water. This should be blenderized until the consistency of human infant cereal. (This feeds 6-8 puppies of a medium-sized breed.) The puppies should receive 3-4 meals a day of this to start. Once the puppies have checked it out, walked in it, and have eaten some, the dam can be allowed to finish it and clean the puppies off. Each week, increase the amount of food, decrease the amount of the milk replacer and water that is added and the time of blenderizing, so by 7 weeks of age, the puppies are eating dry food. Once they are on dry food, it may be left in with the puppies (when the dam is out of the box) or the meal times can continue. As the puppies eat more solid food, the bitch may be let away from the puppies for an ever longer period of time. By the time the puppies are 6½-7 weeks of age, they should be fully weaned from the dam's milk, eating dry food, and drinking water. If the weaning is not rushed, she will naturally start decreasing milk production, as the puppies increase their intake of solid food. As the puppies begin eating the puppy mush at 4 weeks of age, start changing the bitch's diet back to adult food to also help her decrease milk production. Start by replacing 1/4 of her puppy food with adult food. Keep increasing the adult food and decreasing the puppy food until by the 7th week postpartum she is eating only adult food. During the last week of weaning, the dam's food consumption should be less than 50% above the maintenance levels and declining toward maintenance levels. Hopefully she has been fed well during pregnancy and lactation so she weighs the same at weaning as she did before pregnancy. Sanitation and housebreaking During and after whelping, the bitch should be allowed to go outside to urinate and defecate. Take her out on a leash (bring a flashlight if it is dark), and watch her closely, as she could have another puppy. The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and 2-3 times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the bitch is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper. The blanket should be large enough to fit under all 4 sides of the box. If the box was made so the sides set into the floor, the sides are picked up, the blanket stretched, and the sides set down to hold the blanket in place. Puppies can become lost under blankets or under wrinkles in blankets. When cleaning, check the consistency and color of the puppy stool. It should be brown and formed, but not overly firm. Any deviations and the veterinarian should be called. To facilitate housebreaking, the puppies should be given definite feeding, playing, sleeping, and elimination areas. Once the puppies are mobile, they will use one area for elimination. To assist in housebreaking, a low board can be secured across the whelping box to divide the elimination area from the eating/sleeping area. Cover this area with a layer of newspapers with cedar or pine shavings on top. The new owners then place a small amount of cedar or pine shavings in the preferred location of their yard to aid in housebreaking. Keep the elimination area clean and dry. Temperature Newborn puppies are able to maintain a body temperature about 12°F warmer than the air temperature. The temperature under the heat lamp in the whelping box should be around 85°F for the first 2-3 days, and then can be dropped to 75-80°F depending on the surrounding temperature. A temperature of 70-75°F on the far side of the box is fine. Puppies head toward the heat source to nurse so do not have the heat source warmer than the bitch. Hanging a household thermometer on the inside of the whelping box will help you know the temperature in the box. Puppies typically lay side by side or on top of each other to share warmth. If the puppies are scattered throughout the whelping box and away from the heat lamp, the temperature is too warm. If they are all piled on top of each other, it may be too cold. Puppies need the extra heat, as they are unable to regulate their body temperature until several weeks old. The rectal temperature of newborn puppies is about 97°F and rises each week until about 4 weeks of age when it is a normal adult temperature of 100.5-102.5°F. Health of the bitch Each mammary gland and nipple should be checked at least once a day for redness, hardness, discharge, or streaking color. If mastitis develops, the veterinarian should be notified immediately. If caught early, milking out the affected gland and applying hot compresses will help prevent a spread of the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary. If she gets multiple glands with mastitis, the puppies will need to be bottle fed. The puppies' nails should be trimmed weekly starting within days of birth. This will help prevent some of the scratches on the dam's mammary glands. The deciduous teeth start coming in around day 11. Check the mammary glands of the bitch daily for bite marks. The bitch will have a bloody discharge from her vulva which may be quite heavy for several days. It should decrease in amount and become darker and be almost gone within 2-3 weeks. The bitch's hair coat may have become very thick and luxurious during the pregnancy. Around the time of weaning, the bitch starts to shed. This extreme loss of hair coat is natural and it should be back to normal in about another 4-5 months. This shedding is more extreme than a normal shed cycle and some bitches become quite bald. This is often called 'blowing a coat.' Puppy health care Unthrifty puppies should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian to check for birth defects. Some defects, such as a cleft palate are not compatible with life. These puppies should be humanely euthanized. Dewclaws are removed and tails docked at 2-4 days of age. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for these procedures to be done. Check your breed's standard, as some breeds need to have dewclaws left intact in order to show. Tail length changes, so again, the current breed standard should be consulted. When the puppies are at the clinic and having these procedures done, the bitch should be taken for a walk around the block until the puppies are done. She should not be close enough to the clinic to hear the puppies crying. Once they are put back with the bitch, the puppies normally nurse and then sleep. Vaccinations are started at 6-7 weeks of age. Some breeders give a parvo virus vaccine at 5 weeks of age, if the puppies are at a high-risk. Ask your veterinarian if your puppies should be vaccinated early for parvo virus. Strategic deworming is a practice recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They recommend puppy deworming for roundworms and hookworms start at 2 weeks of age and be repeated at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Thereafter, use a heartworm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms. Drs. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies obtain the deworming history of their new pup and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed. The bitch should be dewormed at the same time as the puppies. A health check done by a veterinarian at 6-7 weeks of age before the puppies head for new homes should include checks for heart murmurs, hernias, cryptorchidism, demodectic mange, other parasites, eye disorders, etc. Normal puppy development The umbilical cord normally falls off within 2-3 days of birth. Infections of the umbilicus are rare in clean, well-managed kennels. Puppies normally twitch and jerk while sleeping. This helps with the development of their nerves and muscles. The puppies crawl well by 7-14 days, walk at 16 days, and have a normal gait at 21 days. They need to be on footing that offers traction. By 4 weeks of age, the puppies follow each other and carry toys in their mouths. They will play-fight with each other and learn how to inhibit their bites. If a puppy bites a littermate too hard, the littermate will yelp and stop playing with him. If the puppy is allowed to bite humans, he will not learn to inhibit his bite. It may be cute as a 7-week old, but it will not be as a 7-year old. Puppies are born without teeth. The deciduous (baby) teeth start to erupt at 2-4 weeks of age. All of the deciduous teeth are usually present by 8 weeks of age. The puppies' eyes will open around 12-15 days of age. The retina matures around 21 days of age. Puppies should see clearly by 4 weeks of age. Do not pry open the lids for any reason, as the immature eye is not yet ready to handle light. If the eyes appear swollen before they open, take the puppy to a veterinarian immediately as an eye infection may be present that needs to be treated to prevent loss of vision. Some puppies will take a day to open the eyes while others will take 3-4 days. The eyes will have a bluish color to them at first and then change to their adult color over time. If the eyes appear white or solid blue, take the puppy to the veterinarian right away. The ears open at 14-17 days of age. They should hear clearly by 4 weeks of age. Deafness may not be noticeable while the puppies are together and first noticed when the puppy is in her new home. Interactions between the bitch and puppies By the time the puppies are 2-3 weeks old, the bitch should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available. The box at this point should be big enough to be divided between eating, sleeping, playing, and eliminating rooms. At this stage, a crate with the door removed and lined with sheepskin or a dog bed can be given to the puppies for sleeping quarters and to familiarize them with crates. Puppy socialization Early socialization of the puppies will help them become confident and develop fewer behavior problems. The puppies should be exposed to everything possible from metal food dishes dropping, to vacuums, garage doors opening and closing, thunderstorms, sirens, garbage trucks going past, cats, and other pets, etc. Do not try to keep the area quiet during the day. The puppies need to get used to normal household noises. Children should be allowed to play outside the whelping box (supervised so they do not enter the box or drop toys in), as children behave differently than adults. Everything the puppy is exposed to now, will help her become a well-socialized, unafraid adult. The puppies should be handled several times a day. They can be picked up, their teeth looked at, ears checked, toes played with (nails will need a weekly trimming), and have anything that may be done as an adult started slowly now. Play helps to develop the puppy's mind, as he needs to find solutions to problems he encounters. If the puppies are not in new homes by 10 weeks of age, they should be separated from each other for a large part of the day and given one-on-one time with humans. They can have play times during the day, but they should eat, sleep, and be handled separately. Being in a kennel (group) situation beyond 10-12 weeks of age decreases trainability. References Cain, J; Lawler, D. Small Animal Reproduction and Pediatrics. Pro-Visions Pet Specialty Enterprises. St. Louis, MO. 1991. Ettinger, SF. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 3rd ed. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia, PA. 1989. Evans, JM; White, K. Book of the Bitch. Howell Book House. New York, NY. 1997. Feldman, E; Nelson, R. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia, PA. 1987. Finder Harris, B. Breeding a Litter: The Complete Book of Prenatal and Postnatal Care. Howell Book House. New York, NY. 1993. Fogle, B. The Dog's Mind - Understanding Your Dog's Behavior. Howell Book House. New York, NY. 1990. Foster, R; Smith, M. What's The Diagnosis. Howell Book House. New York, NY. 1995. Holst, P. Canine Reproduction: A Breeder's Guide. Alpine Publications. Loveland, CO. 1985. Lee, M. Whelping and Rearing of Puppies. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Neptune City, NJ. Rutherford, C; Neil, D. How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With, 3rd ed. Alpine Publications. 1999. The Monks of New Skete. The Art of Raising a Puppy. Little, Brown, and Company. Boston, MA. 1991.
Related Articles: Vaccination Recommendations for Dogs:Types and Schedule

Copyright © 1997-2008, Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted from PetEducation.com.

1st Feb 2008 Days 31, 32 & 33

Maddy woo and her mate Alfie look quite the domesticated parents to be, and I am so proud of them both. Maddy's belly is now beginning to swell considerably and although she loves her food, seems to have nowhere to put it. She seems to be eating to please us. Odd but true.

I have bought a new camera so we can take videos of the pups being born, which we will publish onto one of the internet media chatrooms, ie facebook, youtube etc, as I think it is good for children and adults to see how much hard work goes into dogs giving birth, and why puppies cost what they do, if not puppy farmed! It's also very cute, and I promise no gory bits if I can help it. I will try and put a video on this blog, but not sure how yet.

Having just bought an ebook on ebay for whelping bitches and training puppies, I can recommend this guy from America and will do if anyone asks. It only costs £1.76 for the download and is much cheaper and better informed than most of the others I've seen.

I have to get onto ebay soon as I am selling off loads of things for the puppy fund, but having seen the cost of whelping boxes fail to understand why people use them? A large cardboard box with rolls of newspaper with a quality waterproof lining and snug blankets should be more than sufficient, and a covered hot water bottle for the infant pups as they come out, or my body temperature - whichevers nearest! Some people are charging £150 for a box? Another ebayer charges £30.00 +£20 P&P for a home made kit, all I can say is good luck to them, but they must have more money than sense! Oh well...their business I guess.

They are both curled up at my feet as I am writing this, having been bathed and shampooed earlier. Alfie is gently snoring and Maddy is curled up on her bean bag blowing raspberries from her mouth. They are so spoiled, but they give so much in return who would deprive them? They are most definitely this womans best friend.


Back soon!

29th Jan Days 29 and 30

It has been a good couple of days, but the food has finally run out. It has lasted well but now I have to put Maddy on puppy food for the next month...and up her intake from week 6.
I am hand feeding her most days at the moment as she is feeling so full, but she will do it herself when she is really hungry.
If nothing else it's good to get out of the kitchen for a bit, but the price of the bulk food of the butchers is not something I can readily afford until next month, but both dogs are fine with pedigree puppy food and biscuits for now.

27th Jan Days 26, 27 & 28

I have been remiss and not been online at all since Thursday, but have had my poorly 5 year old grandson staying with me. It never rains but buckets it down in this family, so I should be used to it by now!

My brother had his op and is back home and on the long road to recovery, thank you God for sparing him! He is one of the last few good guys and I cannot begin to tell the torment this last few days have had on me, and now with poor Dylan, and the dogs, poof, my online blog goes to pot.

The food is getting very low now, but the dogs have been fed so much I decided to give them only one meal today and they are starting to become fussy eaters! This I don't mind, but not when money is tight, they have to eat what I can afford.

Today I served them more liver cooked with brown rice and bonemeal. They turned up their noses and sniffed round it, which hurt a bit seeing as I got up at 7.00am to cook it for them, and let them out!

I also had a family round to view the parents yesterday, with a view to buying a puppy. They had 4 lovely girls who absolutely loved Maddy and Alfie and the parents are really nice too. Great family people, so that looks very hopeful. They have first refusal after she has given birth but knows they must wait until the puppy is at least 10 weeks old before she can leave her mummy.

I quoted her a relalistic price to include vaccination, worming and frontline, and I do feel they will make a great family for one of Maddy's babies! There sure isn't any money in this business unless you own a puppy farm, but I would never go that route, as it is distressing for the dogs and their new owners. It's cruel and stomach churningly greedy. It should be stamped out!

23rd January 08. Days 23, 24, 25.

These last 3 days have been somewhat of a nightmare, but the dogs are fighting fit and ready for their drontal worming tablets. At £1.73 each including postage, plus a discount if you buy 4, I'd say that was fabulous value for money and only at paws 24/7 Its 75% cheaper than your vets and postage is next day delivery.

I always buy my Frontline from them as their service is second to none, and their prices are so much cheaper. £25.00 for 6 pipettes which last 1 year. They also have a special offer on right now!


Food this week:
Monday: Breakfast] Mince, Veg and Rice, with 1/2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Bonemeal and gravy from juices. Dinner] Chicken with Veg and Rice
Tuesday: BF] Chicken with fresh cooked veg. D] Liver and Potatoes with Olive Oil
Wednesday: BF] Aldi's Pollack (White fish) with rice and Olive Oil. A pack of this fish fed all three dogs and three cats with rice!

Since feeding them myself, their whole demeanor has changed, their eyes are clear, and their coats shiny and unmatted, plus they seem satisfied for much longer. (Springers ears are a nightmare to keep unknotted, but it isn't happening like it was. Odd, but true!

Maddy is getting bigger and more lovely every day, but she is VERY quiet, and food is not her main priority right now. We have to coax her to eat. I guess she feels full with her puppies, but we are hand feeding her to make sure she is getting what she needs.

I must find out what nutrients go into puppy food, as she will need this as from week 6 and up to and including 10 weeks after she has given birth. I also have to see if there will be a vet available on standby should we need him/her. Safe rather than sorry!

Unfortunately Piglet is going to have to go back to her original owners, my son and his partner, as she can be quite aggressive and although still only 5 months old, scares the pants of Maddy and Alfie when she wants something and doesn't get it. Not good for the newborn puppies. I am very sad as she is wonderful, but she loves them too, so feel she will be fine. I'm not sure I will be, but hey, it isn't about me any more.

Went for a lovely after dark walk, and Alfie went in a huge pond and splashed about like a child. We all came back quite muddy, but all three dogs are now suitable tired and ready for bed, as are we.

Back soon~~~~

Day 22

Yesterday and today the dogs will eat as we do. Well cooked and drained breast of lamb with potatoes and veg.

If anyone has ever tried to cook breast of lamb without success, the results vary with cooking time. I have a gas oven and to cook three whole breasts it takes approx 1.25 hours on high. Gas mark 9 for 30 mins and 7 the rest of the time, turning the breast over 1/2 way through cooking time. I take the dogs meat out after an hour.
1 breast for 3 medium sized dogs is ample and the cost is less then £1.00 if bought in bulk from the butcher...so for one dog you have three meals for less than 2 tins of meat, and if you mix it with rice and veg you can make 1 breast of lamb go even further.

One word of warning, do not give any dog extra salt! Its too dehydrating and they cannot digest it as easily as us, so please be careful with gravy. I just add oxos to the veg water and it is fine. I am just being guided by my own instincts rather than reading from some costly dog cookbook. Their needs are similar to our own so potion like ours, 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs and 1/3 veg and you won't go far wrong.

The liver was a great success, but do be careful, as it gave Piglet the squits, which was not pleasant, nor was her flatulence!

Maddy's nipples are growing, as is her belly, but she is still lively and responsive to a game of ball.

Chris and I took them all out after dark last night, as it's easier without their leads. By torchlight we squished and squelched through the mud and driving rain to give our brood their daily workout. Alfie ran off as usual but he's a good lad, he comes back when called.
To say the house was pretty covered in mud when we got back is no mean exaggeration, it truly was swimming in it. The joys of owning a dog - no use complaining - they are worth every bit of extra work, and if you don't think you could cope with this, don't buy one, as this is the dogs world and depriving them of it is just cruel.

Now I must go and cook the dogs lunch and ours. My friend Tim is coming for a Sunday roast as usual, and particularly loves breast of lamb, so he's having a treat, though I'm not sure he will appreciate the dogs having the same meal - oh well, such is life!

19th Jan Day 21

3 weeks and counting! Talk of counting, I am counting the cost of giving the dogs liver....phew...Piglet did a silent but deadly pong in bed last night and I immediately knew it was the liver.
She was also sick in the night, but that was all the plastic and rubble she consumed during the day.

She eats anything! Aren't I just the luckiest woman alive? No man, just foul smells and sick....yes, lucky is what I am alright!

Maddy is getting possessive about everything..it must be her hormones!



Last, but not least, my brother has had his op and is making a full recovery. Thank God! I can now get on with my life and stop holding my breath!

Jan 18th Day 20

1. This has been a good day. Having cooked a 1/2 of all the liver in the oven with two oxo's and bits, found they absolutely loved it. Mixing it up with rice, or tabboulet (I had some in the cupboard) there is nothing left in their bowls. The other things I have noticed since cooking their food myself:
2. Better shinier coats
3. Eyes clearer and shining
4. Their stools are much lighter
5. It costs much less to feed them and they actually get more.
6. I know exactly what is going in their food.
7. Alfies dry skin has gone...in just a few days!

You cannot ever count the cost of a beloved pet, but the added bonuses for doing so are obvious for anyone to see, and it takes no time at all. Yes you have the cooking time of 2 hours for a huge casserole, enough for 3 dogs for two days, but there is hardly any prep, and the dogs love you for it!

Having worked out a dogs daily food consumption cost wise is approx £1.00 per day....a cats £0.50 per day x 3 is £4.50 daily for my tribe. (At least)

Multiply that x 14 = £59.00 for tinned dog food.

My butchers price of £29.00 seems exceptionally cheap to me, with a whopping saving of £30.00 per fortnight!!!!!! Add £7.00 for gas or electric, £7.00 for oxo's, veg and rice etc; and that still leaves me with a total of only £43.00 saving me £16.00 per fortnight at least.

I will of course let you know how far this £29.00 worth of food takes me, but I have a long way to go, and am sure it will last a lot longer than 2 weeks. Watch this space!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My brother is in hospital having his brain operation right now, so I am keeping busy. It has been the most traumatic few days of my life, and one I have dared him to repeat!

The dogs are noisy, Maddy is being a right little madam and Piglet as usual is being her screeching self. Poor old Alfie is under the thumb and knows it. God help him when he has kids - hehe!

Day 17 18 & 19- My Brother is very ill !

Day 17: and all is well with Maddy and the other muttleys, bless them, but have just been phoned and told my brother is having a brain haemmorrage and is in AAU in Marlborough County Hospital and being transferred to The John Radcliffe in Oxford tomorrow - if he makes it through the night. Dear God not him, he is my last remaining relative and I can't lose him.
I have to go to him, although Maddy and the other dogs need me here - I must go!
Short and not so sweet blog today: I hope to come back with good news tomorrow.

Day 18: God help us if this is what we have to expect from our hospital when we are dying. Poor Chris is in absolute agony and they give him morphine to relieve it, but it doesn't last very long. He is still bleeding from his brain and they can't move him to the neuro unit as there are no beds. Its an exchange, one of JR patients for one of GW hospitals.

Day 19: The hospital is waiting to place him in a bed at The John Radcliffe...he is dying and they are waiting for a bed???? Heads will roll if anything happens to him in the meantime, as I am a real softie at heart but a lioness when it comes to my family. The NHS is about as good as a chocolate teapot...when you need them most! We used to have a healthcare envied by the Western World, not so any longer!

Maddy and her swelling tummy. She is well, but tired. I am feeding her as many home grown nutrients as possible, with canned tuna, fresh chicken and fresh mince and vegetables...plus bonemeal, so she should be healthy!

Piglets foot is better, so I was right not to worry too much thank goodness!

We are all eagerly waiting, and already I have had a phone call from my local health visitor who knows me well to ask if I will sell her friend a puppy. A great recommendation, so I am happy. She also has two other friends who would like one, so it looks like Maddy will be losing quiet a large chunk of her family as soon as they are ready.

I will keep one I think...it has to be worth Maddy's effort.
At last I managed to get to the butchers today and bought £6.30 worth of Ox liver @ 30p lb or 60p kg, 10lb of their best mince @ 98p per lb, 6 boned breast of lamb £10.00. 12 large fresh eggs, a bag of bones and a chicken. £29.00 for two weeks worth of food for 6 animals. All that and my son and I will eat it too, though not the liver, yuk, it's bad enough having to prepare it.

Why do we all buy the disgusting tinned dog food at such a price, as it's unfit for humans, and can actually harm you pet and shorten it's life by up to 8 years.

Breast of Lamb is great for dogs and we love them cooked crispy...the very cheapest lamb, and the tastiest if cooked for a long time, with rosemary and garlic. Yum!

One big bag of liver has gone in the oven for the dogs....so they will eat well tomorrow. Liver, red pepper, garlic and veg with a nice gravy...better be careful not to give them too much as you know what it does to them!

Just to finish the night off, my brother is out of pain and awaiting his brain op this evening...he is so much better in the new hospital, thank God. I am now more hopeful than the past two days that he will make it now. All digits crossed and a prayer.

Days 15 and 16...January 14th

It is such a wonderful journey - finding out all there is to know about whelping, feeding and health for my soon to be parents.
I have just had a phone call from Alfie's last owner saying she is over the moon for the pair of them and that she would love to be at the birth. That makes 3 of us so far - enough I think! She also has pictures of Alfies Mum, Dad and Grandad, so anyone buying the puppies will get a whole family tree on Alfie's side, and Maddy's Mum is local, so a good start.

I need feeding bottles, scissors, goats milk, dental floss, heaters, naval pegs (whatever it is they call them) lots of clean bedding and a lot of sleep leading up to it!

Only 6 weeks to go and the girl is getting mighty proud, and nicely rounded. You can now see her stomach from behind, its like a saddle bag!

Poor piglet hurt her leg today and is limping, but not making a sound, so I expect she is going for the sympathy vote...oooh, owww, ahhhh! Bless her, if she seems distressed at all tomorrow I will get her to the vets immediately, but she seems OK apart from a small limp.

And today I learned how to make bonemeal from eggshells...it is supposed to give them calcium without phosporous, as they don't need that...too much can apparently harm them, so I am doing my bit for all concerned.
Off to bed with my kids now....luckily two of them are happy with their bed on the floor now, so I get some sleep...hoorah!

12th, 13th and 14th Day.

6 weeks left and I wonder how on earth I am going to cope. The three dogs I have now cause mayhem and eat me out of house and home...and there's another ????? on the way - and I have to get a vet! Heaven knows what that will cost, but now begin to realise why puppies are so expensive.

I don't normally complain about anything, but the dogs have behaved very badly for a few days, even eating the mail. Piglet goes outside for what should be a relief run, and then comes back indoors and does it...a bit of a no brainer, but I guess she'll catch on when the time is right - and Alfie's love of cats is not dimming.

Next week should be better hopefully, as we won't be quite so poor!
The dogs are wonderful really, and I hate myself for having a moan but sometimes it helps. I feel better already!
I suppose its the time after Xmas when all the bills are dropping like flies on the doormat, and the coffers are empty...so they will have to wait until next week. No use worrying about them, they will get paid-but in my time, not theirs.

I need a whelping box....I have the room ready, but Maddy will need somewhere her babies can be safe for quite a while, and it will have to be cosy with the ability to be kept clean. Next job!
I am thinking I may turn my wardrobe upside down and take off the doors and pole...it is made from reed so is totally natural, but do I want it ruining? Hmmmm.

So much to do and so little time to do it - but she is healthy and happy at the moment and has just eaten a whole cooked chicken breast, so is reclining on the sofa.

Someone asked me what I would charge for a puppy the other day, and to my horror the thought of letting one go made me feel sick. I know we have to, but how can you put a price on one of Maddy's and Alfie's puppies? If I do sell them, I am going to have to check the homes they go to and keep in touch with whoever buys one. It makes sense to me to board them if ever the owner goes away, and if someone felt the need to move abroad or they just couldn't cope, then they must come back to their mummy.

I also thought about pet sitting if the owners are at work all day, but that wouldn't happen, as I would be very loth to sell them to anyone who works as it isn't fair on the pup. There may be a few extenuating circumstances, like if the owner ran their own company and could take pup to work with them, or worked from home - as it is now, nothing is set in stone!

Having walked a few miles with 3 dogs, we are all suitably tired but refreshed. Since the rain started a few days ago, it has been that long since we all had a walk, so the dogs really went mad.
I look at Maddy and find her putting on weight gently, which is great for her. She is still wanting to leap about, but has slowed down a little. Does she know? I find the animal kingdom incredibly fascinating, and would love to know what goes on in their minds.

It's time for bed now and I am slowly weaning them all off my bed. Three..two large and one small growing puppy is too much for my bed and sleeping habits which aren't great at the best of times, as I wake at every little sound, but Alfie looks at me with his hang dog eyes as if to say..."You don't love me!" Of course I do, but am no use whatsoever if I don't get my sleep!
Tomorrow is the start of week three - this is going too fast for me!

Days 10 & 11

Nothing much to note, apart from Maddy getting fatter - and for some reason happier and more playful!

I think this blog a fanatastic idea, but there's only so much you can say about your dogs digestion, feeding habits and wonderful personality!

Be back soon....

Day 9 - 2nd week

Having been awake until 03.00hrs this morning because I was sandwiched like a hot dog in a roll between them all, my mood is not of it's best this morning. Having let the dogs out for a call of nature Alfie then came back in and deposited what can only be described as horse droppings on the lounge floor. I then followed Piglet and she did 4..all around the lounge and dining room!

Dettol works wonders as does antibacterial spray, but what has come over them all? Roll on warmer weather, and training classes. I don't think Alfie has ever been told what to do and it seems he is a very determined dog and when he sets his mind to do something, he WILL do it...that is until I came along.
There has to be rules in a house with more than one dog. Maddy has never been a problem dog at all. She didn't chew furniture, pooh anywhere she shouldn't, and was completely housetrained at 15 weeks.

With Piglet it is more difficult as she can't hear me, but she knows...and still does it - little minx!
A good job I'm used to it. Having brought up my two sons alone and then almost 4 years doing the same with my 3 grandsons from birth, I am used to the smelly jobs, so no shock there.

Maddy has had a runny egg with dried biscuits this morning - as I am saving the egg shells to make her bonemeal.
The other two had Butchers all in one dried food!

They are such good friends now, but their playing does get noisy with Piglets ear piercing bark not quite developed. Ear plugs please!

We are incredibly short of money until tomorrow, so we are going to turn the electricity and gas off and go to bed to keep warm. There's enough food for the dogs and cats tonight, thank goodness, and tomorrow I get paid. Whew just made it!
Chris and I live frugally and eat when we are hungry. I always have a few staples in the fridge for emergencies so we won't starve, but it will be cold if we run out of gas and it's on emergency already!

I will come back to this this afternoon when we turn everything back on....
I'm back and thankful we still have the electricity and gas. The dogs had rice with fresh cooked vegetables, tuna in brine and cod in butter sauce all mixed up. They loved it, but even my cupboard is running bare now.
I will be glad when I can visit the butcher, as they must be on a meat withdrawal.

When I was a small child my father was incredibly strict, and any amount of waste was not tolerated. Coming out of the RAF and meeting my mother, he left his first wife and 3 daughters for her. It was a horrible journey for us kids, as he was mediaeval in his upbringing. There was no love - just discipline hard work and no pocket money. I was being kept wasn't I?

My brother and I longed for a dog to love...and one day he came back with an Alsation who we named Tammy.
She was beautiful and my brother and I were thrilled, until one day sat on the pavement we saw her being led away. She ate too much or did a pooh somewhere, and sadly it was the shape of things to come.
Everything had a price, nothing was worth keeping. It went on like this for years, first Tammy, then Yogi our Boxer dog, then my Rusty New Forest Pony, then Sally the Irish Connemara I learnt to jump with, on and on, until he sold my beloved piano...actually no he didn't sell it, he chopped it up for firewoood. I used to play in the stables with Rusty, learning every day and loving it until one day I came home from school and it was gone, like the horses and dogs. No warning - take it or leave it!

My life was a difficult one - some horrendous things happened to me and I don't know how I survived it all, but I did and luckily I had the strength to become a nicer more compassionate person in spite of it.

One day I will write a book as I do think I could help people get over some of their problems, but then again, I have had to be strong. Not everyone has it in them I suppose, some people turn violent, some turn passive - I turned out to be stubborn but very caring. That is not a bad thing in itself if you meet people the same. I didn't!
Suffice it to say, life got very messy and me and my children eneded up on the streets 11 years ago, and we have been struggling ever since, as I married a con man and he took everything I had worked for over 20 years...in just 4. I had accumulated a house todays value of £500,000.00 and a thriving business. My sons and I were left with nothing, no car, no food, no home, no bed. It was a long haul back, but we are now content and happy.

There is so much more, but the point I am trying to get to in the blog is why I love my dogs and why I need to write. It's so therapeutic and if just one person reads this and thinks - if she can do it so can I, then nothing has been in vain. I am not materialistic but like a nice home and car - and I have that now. My dogs, my sons, and my home..who could want for more? At 55 years old, I now understand life a bit more, and can never envisage ever trusting a man again. What for?
Life was tough, but I learned a good lesson.

Day 8 Maddy's second week

Computer down yesterday so couldn't get online and finish. Nothing much to report apart from Maddy beginning to swell. Pictures above are top: Alfie and Piglet and below Maddy. Not terribly good ones I know, as were taken on a phone camera.

Having checked Maddy today, her belly is fuller and her nipples are larger, so I would expect this to be a confirmation of what we knew already.
She is lying at my feet as I write and the other two are driving me nuts playing loudly, another funfilled day in the madhouse!

Having just found Alfie and Piglet with one of my leather gloves chewed to smithereens I am not happy! No wonder they were making so much noise - but fully chastised with the said glove on their rear end - I think it is time for a walk. They are bored, and so am I...some fresh air may put that right.

Another wonderful walk, with piglet running off because a few children frightened her. Doesn't she know she's a Staffy? Daft thing, but we ran after her and nothing apart from her own curiosity brought her back. No use calling her, she's deaf!
All Muddied and wet Alfie decided to wallow in the mud and then come back and haphazardly wipe it all over my clean leather sofa. He is deliriously happy and who could not be happy for him...the suite can be wiped off!
Alfie after covering my sofa decided he would sit on my lap...all wet and grubby, and I felt Maddy was feeling a bit left out, so gave her some one to one time as well. It's hard to love them all equally as they are wanting attention 24/7 and climbing over each other to get to me. God knows what will happen when the puppies get here?

Another day with no dog meat..plenty of all in one dog biscuits but not sustenance with a purpose, so I cooked more rice and opened Sardines and Tuna, mixed it all together and shared it out. Piglet's stomach looked like it would burst, and that was her second meal of the day.

My son gives me some respite, as they all love him too, but he has to keep the three cats from Alfie until they are used to him. Poor girls, first Maddy then Piglet then Alfie...not a lot of fun for them I guess, but they are pretty much used to them all now, and squeakers gives back as good as she gets.

Tomorrow I go shopping. I didn't manage to get to the butchers the other day, but it has to be top of my agenda tomorrow!
Now we go to bed...wish me luck......

Day 7

All's well here at the madhouse. My lovely Alfie has settled in nicely and although not a lot of sleep did I manage last night, they were all very quiet and relaxed, apart from piglet piddling on my new rug by the fire and poohing wherever it suits her, everything is going remarkably well! I shouldn't have said that, but this is my blog and I can if I want :-)

Having committed myself to raising funds for the local community's children, and it being written about in Take A Break Magazine, I now have much work to do. The children around here are a nightmare - only because they have nothing to do, so I have agreed to join Mum's Army, where they tackle the crime in communites.

Never having lived anywhere like this before, it was a culture shock, but I soon realised they aren't all bad, just lacking direction. So with my new hat on, I will go about this like normal and hopefully find council funding for a MUGA site and events and training at the local Community Centre.

It is political and should anyone reading this wish to know more, please email me.

Now back to Maddy: She is quiet today, and although she has eaten, she didn't go at it with her normal gusto - morning sickness probably, whilst Alfie is full of beans and playing with Piglet. For a puppy Piglet can be quite vicious..it must be in the genes I guess, but I'm hoping it is just playful. Being deaf must have some bearing on her behaviour too.
I am going to let them have a lazy day today as I don't want to exert Maddy too much...we may go to the beach or a stroll in the woods. We are very lucky to live right on the heath at Poole, so a few yards away and they are free of all encumbrances. Other dog walkers are often amused at Piglet as she is so cute - but fall in love with Maddy and Alfie, as their natures and personalities are perfect in every way. We should be blessed with some wonderful puppies. I can't see how I am going to want to part with any of them, but economics say I must. That is going to be the hard bit!

Although we are extremely hard up now, this wasn't always the case, but now living frugally puts me in touch with realism in all it's forms, and I prefer to struggle than to have it all on a plate, it makes getting up more of a challenge, and I have never shied away from a challenge in my life. Just as well really, as I have had more than my fair share!!!

Having my best friend coming to stay this weekend is going to be fun. Lets hope he brings some warm clothes with him for a nice walk!

Day 6

It is now 05.34am and I'm wide awake with three dogs chewing my ear for something to eat. Not yet chums, a bit early. I got up to let them out at 04.00am and decided to stay up and disinfect the house in preparation for the coming event. I will do this on a regular basis to make sure no nasties are lurking.
Even though I hate dirt of any kind, I know we all need bacteria in our lives to be able to build up a resistance. Maddy and the puppies room will be sterile though, as this I feel gives them the best chance of survival.

I have another neighbour across the road who is a well known dog napper. He especially loves Springer Spaniels. Knowing this when I moved in, I felt I had to protect Maddy, so bought 6' high cast iron gates and railings along with a huge padlock. Maddy unfortunately is the offspring of one of the dogs he stole and sold, so I'm not taking any chances. Cruella De Ville only not so stylish :-)

Less than eight weeks to go and I still can't get my head around it. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly.
Piglet is alseep on my lap right now, so I am finding it difficult to move without waking her - she does pick her times.

Bless him, Alfie has now joined us, and Maddy is in my sons bedroom with the 3 cats. Alfie laid down beside us all and went to sleep last night, so no whining and he did exactly what I told him.
I think he thought anything was better than sleeping outside the door , so intelligent and savvy, good boy!

An eventful day with the dogs. I gave them red salmon and rice for dinner - ran out of dog food, so raided my food cupboard. They all loved it - so I'll be looking out for bargains in the tinned salmon department in future.

After lunch we went for a long walk in the pouring rain. It was lovely and Chris and I both said what a joy they are to have around. They also got hellishly dirty, so I went straight upstairs when we got back and ran a bath.
Alfie loved it, Piglet hated it and Maddy hid as she knew what was coming. After bathing the first two I had to get Chris to carry Maddy upstairs. She eventually caved in, but sulked for about an hour after. Eyes down, no waggy tail and no correspondence. Time for a ball!

I am trying (without much success I hasten to add) to keep them out of the lounge when dirty as it has just been decorated and my leather suite has just been cleaned. Where did they go first? The lounge suite, shaking rattling and rolling - bless 'em.

Time now 20.51pm, the dogs are shattered - and to be honest so am I. What will it be like with 12+ of them? Fun finding out I guess but still a few weeks off yet. I hate waiting but poor old Maddy hasn't a clue yet poor love - only the love of a couple of very good dogs and two people who adore her.

I have pictures of the dogs which I will upload asap, but the jpeg is too large and won't upload, so we have to make smaller. Tomorrow hopefully?

Also I am allowing adsense to advertise on my site so we can hopefully earn some money. If anything untoward happens we do not have any money to afford a vet, and even though I did not try to get Maddy pregnant, the PDSA will not see to her as they are both pedigrees. I will try though as Vets aren't cheap! I hope this doesn't upset anyone but needs must.

Now to see if Alfie was being good last night or it was a one off...speak to you tomorrow!

Day 5

Fed, watered and walked, it is 11.26 am of day 4 and Maddy is very tired. The freezing cold made the walk a little uncomfortable for me, but Maddy and Alfie had a lot of fun with their ball. The air was like piercing icicles with claws - but even piglet didn't whinge,so all's well. It was lovely to come home to an open fire and a cup of tea! All three dogs are now very muddy and in front of the fire - I don't get a second look - and all want to drink my tea - weird dogs :-)

Being disabled doesn't have many advantages - heaven knows, but I am glad I am going to be around at all times for Maddy Alfie and Piglet, especially now - as they seem to be very needy right now.
Poor piglet was taken from her mum at 6 weeks...and although well looked after, it has left its mark. At first she was aggressive...frighteningly so for a puppy, but she is becoming adorable. I am hoping some if not all of Maddy's and Alfie's traits will rub off on her.

Alfie? He's just happy to be here! I must admit for the first few days he seemed a bit OTT, but thankfully now seems to have calmed down. He is a really lovely dog and I am so happy he is here with us.

Time for my jobs, if they let me. Mopping the kitchen floor is a must - there's mud everywhere.

Maddy is howling right now, and her being downstairs, I need to get to her...I think the honeymoon period may be over for a while, and Alfie's first encounter with the fairer sex may have to wait a while to be reignited. Let's hope so, as he really is a randy goat and Maddy must need a rest.

Piglet is asleep at my feet as I write this and the love I feel for her chokes me. I am so blessed to have such wonderful companions. I nearly had to give her back to my son and his partner and while thinking about it the other day, tears welled up and I just couldn't do it. She is so happy here and I am more than happy to have her, even though some times she is a royal pain in the proverbial.
Luckily my son and his partner took pity on me, as she was just supposed to be looked after until they found a house and settled. She is the one who nestles into my hair or across my neck every evening, and wakes me every morning with a waggy tail and a big sloppy kiss! Maddy used to but is a bit big now, however I do wake to find her curled up on the next pillow more often than not.

Since being in season she has been very good mostly, sleeping on the doggie quilt at the side of my bed, but just occasionally she jumps up and the whole bedlinen needs changing yet again. I said it was a good idea not to have a man about didn't I?

Rather sadly we have neighbours who aren't good to their dogs. Being left in a kennel all day and night with nowhere to run, and no way of stretching is tantamount to neglect. Would we treat humans this way? Howling day and night the poor greyhound has a nightmare of a life, and having called the RSPCA on more than one occasion and them not doing anything realistic, I have had thoughts of dognapping. Hm, I don't think I really want to cross these people - as they don't take kindly to taunts of cruelty to their animals, and having had the male on my doorstep after reporting them, decided to not interfere, but it's difficult - I was hoping they would now look after their dogs, but he is still howling morning and night! It is heartbreaking hearing him howl - but if the RSPCA think he is OK, who am I to interfere?

Well the end to another interesting day..I thought Alfie had been seen off by Maddy, but no, little minx changed her mind and has had him busy most of the afternoon and evening. It does get tedious, as they are everywhere you look, but if it makes them happy - I'm happy.
Tonight I am going to sleep well hopefully, as I need all the energy and sense of humour I can muster with my three muttleys! I think maybe the Maddy and Alfie must be exhausted, so hopefully no whining tonight. Wish me luck!.....

Day 4 Its going to be a long journey!

January 2nd and it is now 6.12am. Having had to keep Alfie outside the bedroom for two nights I am wondering if he will ever settle down. He whined most of the night to be let in and I was glad when 5.00am came and I could get up.

It has been a long morning so far and its only 7.00am.
Dear Alfie won't leave Maddy alone and she - having got what she wanted, (how typically female!) now wishes to be given a little peace - so I thought...but hell no, she is now trying to climb on him - it changes minute by minute - and I can't help wondering how long this goes on. I wouldn't mind, but they seem to be showing off for my benefit.

Maybe Bromide might help??? Can you give that to dogs? :-) I jest, but the thought's there Alfie!

Poor Piglet isn't getting a look in and is missing her friend - being deaf but very vocal is making us all aware of her plight with her high pitched yapping -ohmigod the pain.

I know I must be imagining things but has Maddy put on weight, or am I subconsciously overfeeding her? Note to self: must watch this.

My internet research is all very well, but gut instinct must come into play somewhere. It says plenty of excercise, but don't overdo it! With all the extra curricular activity going on, her muscles must be doing overtime...even though she just stands there! It's time for a walk on the beach - to cool his ardour and wear him out! Back later....

Goold Old blighty...very cold, dark and dismal...but we had a brilliant time on the beach....with a torchlight. Maddy is brighter and Alfie just looks shattered, but his tail is still thumping, bless him!
Piglet got lost in the sand and shivered her way through the walk, but we let her down to enjoy her romp with her friends.

Time now 8.50am and I wish to add my thanks to Rob Richards for kindly allowing me to use his animated picture of 101 Dalmations...permission from Disney has not been allowed, so please neither use this or copy! For more wonderful animation please visit www.robrichards.com or just blogger him.

Time for breakfast - no porridge today!

Things to do today:
Visit butcher..buy bones, lamb, mince, chicken and liver - added to rice with an occasional egg thrown in should work out cheaper but somehow I doubt it. They are all good eaters!

For Maddy's sake I have decided to do my own thing with food for a while. It is an expensive hobby buying supermarket brands and am always concerned what goes in them. Having seen a UK major Turkey Farm tell the press their disgusting food left out in the bins at the start of H15N break out wasn't for human consumption, it was dog food! Not my dog sir!

It is still early, but the dogs have gone for a neck on neck kip...lucky them, but wait until I get up to do anything other than sit here typing and they are at my side. Am I complaining? Not a bit of it...

We also have 3 adorable cats, Splodge, Sammy(sammy7toes) and Squeakers, so our food bill for all of them is horrendous. They seem to prefer food I cook especially for them, (apart from the dreaded porridge) but I must stop adding the red wine :-)

Alfie loves them but couldn't eat a whole one! Training definitely needed here.
Maddy and Piglet are now used to them and they ignore them completely, but the poor cats are driven mad by Alfie wanting to play. A few swipes and he'll get the message soon enough hopefully!

It's bed time and this is where the fun starts...Alfie is still whining! He is loud, boisterous and loving - and wants to kiss the world, but we are hoping he calms down soon. Maybe it's because we don't put him in a cage - or he just naturally this way - but whatever the reason, Maddy needs some sleep, as do I! Knee caps seem to be getting lower and lower!

Tomorrow is another day, so lets see....

December 30th 2007 Day 1, 2 and 3 Oooops!

Born February 14th 2006 and at 12 weeks old I embarked on the task of bringing up a Springer Spaniel pup. (Maddy) I was in awe of how intelligent, totally loving, loyal and fun she was - and still is. I love her unconditionally. Twenty two months down the line and I cannot express the joy she has brought to me and my family.
It didn't take long to realise I had been missing a lot over the years, and I am dedicated to making her as happy as she has made me. Our new found friendship is sealed.

Born July 28th 2006 and at 18 months old, Alfie (formerly Buster) came into mine and Maddy's life on the 20th December 2007. Maddy found herself a toyboy!
A neighbour wrote me a short note asking me if I would take her Springer Spaniel, as she couldn't cope - three kids and man gone awol plus boisterous dog and no time, I see her point! It didn't take long to give her my answer, and I am so happy to have been able to help her out. I also felt honoured she chose me, as her dog was a much loved pet!

Aged just 18 months old, he hasjoined us for ever. He is handsome, exciteable, loving and great with kids. Being Black and White in contrast to Maddy's Liver and White, is also easy to distinguish at first glance.

When I decided to take him on, Maddy had been in season about 6 days and not expecting anything to happen first time,(they're both virgins) I didn't worry too much! Knowing absolutely nothing about breeding dogs, I guess I thought they would just play around and have some dog fun. How naive? I was told the first time is good enough, and we now know we are expecting the patter of lots of tiny feet in about 62 days!

December 30th 2007: What a shock to find them joined and unable to separate...this was my first time too, and all I could think of doing was throwing cold water all over Alfie! Not thinking about anything other than getting help, I called my son Chris and he knew even less than I did.
A bucket and a half later of very cold water and kitchen flooding aside, they managed to disentangle themselves fairly quickly, and finding out what fun it is, they are now making hay while the sun shines - much to my embarrassment...as they don't care where or who's watching!
To say they are inseparable would be an understatement!

This blog is about the 62 + days from conception to birth and the joys and worries along the way.

Day 1: I think enough said about that day, but I am happy for them and totally excited at the thought of being a mummy to another bunch of Springers!

Day 2: New Years Eve and alls well, but Maddy seems very tired. Hardly suprising dear girl!
She and Alfie are playing and kissing amongst other things and I now go to the internet to find out what I have let myself in for! OH MY GOD!

Day 3: A new year and a sunny day - I decided to try them with some homemade porridge for breakfast. Doing my bit for my baby I thought - but neither of them liked that and promptly threw it back up, as did piglet..nice not!
My fault for adding olive oil and a touch of honey I don't wonder.

Now I have to decide where she will give birth..umm, I hate to say this, but she has slept with me from day one...and now so does Alfie (and Piglet, my white staffy pup of 13 weeks old that I said I'd look after and now own! The term pratt springs to mind , but she is deaf and needed a good home.) Not having had any sleep for three days now, I have eye balls down to my kneecaps as none of them will leave my side - help!
My side of the bed is getting increasingly small and I thank God I am no longer married or in a relationship, as no-one would cope with this :-)