Northrock’s B Litter: The “Fab Five” Have Arrived!

I am very pleased to announce the safe arrival of

Chmurnik and Sophie’s puppies on April 24, 2013.

(CH Chmurnik z Górki Podduchownej CGN  x UCD CH Neigenuveaux Fleur d’Northrock WC CGN)

The "Fab Five"

All are hale and hearty and Sophie is doing an excellent job as a first time mom.  The puppies arrived in the early part of the afternoon yesterday and I thank God that the whelping went so well. 

Stage one labour began on April 23rd.  Here is Sophie hanging out in the whelping pool.

Please join me in welcoming to the world these marvellous little pups.  Introducing:

 
Mr. Green, born at 12:46pm - 10 7/8 oz (brown)
Mr. Blue, born at 1:48pm – 9 5/8 oz (black)
Miss. Orange, born at 2:25pm – 12 1/8 oz (brown)
Miss. Purple, born at 3:20pm – 9 1/8 oz (black with some white)
Miss. Red, born at 3:31pm – 10 ¼ oz (black)

Sophie and her pups

A great litter is the result of the combined efforts of many people.  A huge thank you to all of my friends and mentors who have helped and supported us along the way.  Chris and Ula thanks again for letting us use Chmurnik with Sophie.  We're so excited to watch their pups grow up!

Sophie Update

I just wanted to share that Sophie’s pregnancy is going very well.  In the last week she has gotten noticeably larger and it almost seems that when I go to bed at night, by the next morning, she has grown yet again.   Starting last Friday I have been able to feel puppies moving and the wonder of it all will never cease to amaze me.  We are still going for walks every day, though not quite as far or as fast as we usually walk.  The whelping room is all set up and now there is nothing left to do but love on her and wait for her pups to arrive. 

Day 55



Silly Sophie showing off her bare belly

In the Womb…Sophie’s pregnancy and the rest of the gang.

I have been remiss about posting to the blog as I tend to post more regularly to my facebook page Northrock Barbets .  However, here I am and here is the latest news from Northrock…

I am very pleased to say that Sophie is confirmed pregnant by palpation.  At 6 weeks along (42 days) she is beginning to look a little bit bigger, her abdomen is firmer and her nipples are enlarged.  Although, to the casual observer you would really be hard pressed to tell she was pregnant.  Depending on the number of puppies she is carrying, she will become noticeably larger in the last couple of weeks of her pregnancy.  Click here to view a Dog Embryo / Fetal Development Calendar that lays it all out.  We are getting more and more excited as her due date approaches.  Her first breeding with CH Chmurnik z Górki Podduchownej CGN took place on February 20^th and we are expecting puppies on April 24^th.  

Dog Embryo 39 Days

Photo credit: National Geographic

If you would like a glimpse into the canine womb to see what exactly is going on, National Geographic has created an incredible video called “In the Womb: Dogs”.  It is a fascinating documentary about the fetal development of 3 different breeds.  If you ever get the chance to watch it I highly recommend it.  Here is a little teaser.  http://natgeotv.com/ca/in-the-womb/videos/in-the-womb-dogs

To view more of this documentary check out these links:



In other news, Kelly turns 8 months old tomorrow and her puppyhood is flying by.  She is a very funny dog with a definite mischievous streak! We are enjoying her immensely.

 

Good ol’ Quincy is very much loved and somewhat spoiled… he is the only one of the dogs allowed up on the furniture. He has quite decidedly taken over the living room chair and it has become an evening ritual for our daughter to spend time reading to him before she heads up to bed.

Daphne is well… Daphne is special.  Like most cats she knows what she wants when she wants it and doesn’t hesitate to let us know.  She has become quite demanding in asking for her evening meal and is always trying to bump up the time from her 5 o’clock feeding to more like 4 o’clock.  That is unless she somehow forgets to wake up from her afternoon nap and sleeps late.