eschlachter

Hi guys, Came across this case in my travels today, apologies if it has already been posted/discussed. It's an excellent summary of the law in NSW as it applies to dog attacks (on your own property) and whether or not you can be sued for any injury that might be inflicted to a person or other animal. I note that there was a bit of discussion about this re 'beware of the dog' signs recently. Caselaw link- Simon v Condran [2013]. :)

Ok so currently I have 16! Do I win? Lol. Thirteen of those are only three days old And they won't all be staying! We have had three for more than a year now, and that's an ok number but shortly we will have four, as one of the pups will be staying. I'm looking forward to that- I can take two out and leave two, so no one is ever alone. I think it'll work better for us. Pleased to hear so many of you have four- I can tell my o/h it's not just me who thinks its a good idea!

Adorable! Well done guys Mid-woofs and Mummas both!

The proud Mamma bear and her huge brood! * yes! one is naked because I ran out of collars** no Leia is no longer wearing hers- we'd just been outside :)

So glad it worked out ok TeamSnag! We have puppies here too- 13 so far, ten boys (!!) and three girls. All doing really well, mum (and I) managed our first time ok- first pup was sac-less, and took nearly two hours, but we held it together! (Just though really). All subsequent pups have been easy, Lei is a natural mumma. Just waiting to see if there are any more up there.... (Girls please but if alive that's ok!). Allerzeit you guys can't be too far away now! Will post pics when more awake, it's been a long time since I slept....

Hmmm, Nova has been quite firm for a while now, which is just because it's so much puppy in there. I wouldn't be too concerned as long as they are still wriggling and Lei is happy and not showing signs of discomfort - but of course, if you're at all worried it's definitely worth checking with your vet - at this stage of pregnancy, no concern is an over-reaction, so they certainly shouldn't have a problem with you asking them :) Thanks Allerzeit. She seems pretty chirpy, as normal, but not as hungry as she has been- still eating something though. I figured it might just be something that happens as the pregnancy progresses but wasn't sure! It's a bit like she just needs to fart a few times and the pressure will be relieved lol :D I'll keep an eye on her, maybe call the vets tomorrow if she still feels a bit bloated. Might also walk her round the block tonight, it's been a few days since she had a good walk- preferring to relax at the moment and watch the other dogs run around for her! Walking might get the farts moving :laugh:

Nova looks fab! Quick question- the last 24 hours Lei's tummy has been a lot more 'balloon' like, tighter rather than soft/malleable. Is that normal with 8 days to go? Feels like there's way more 'air' in there, than there was (along with wriggly puppy bodies)....

So sorry to hear that, how awful for you all. Poor Nyx, I hope she recovers ok.

Same here! Hope it goes well

Here is the mumma-bear, day 48 today :) Please excuse the bin! With some gratuitous setter as well

I think, because she was lying on her side, the skin was stretched downwards across her tummy and the bubbas were close to the surface- hence ripples and one distinct kick out! The o/h didn't believe me though lol and of course when he looked she rolled over :) Can't wait to get home from work and spend the next 6 hours tummy watching (and patting)!! Ahh, oh dear.... :laugh: I really don't want her to have 14 I should add, 8 would be plenty!!

Congrats bel, so glad they are healthy and doing well :) Nynx looks very well too. Allerzeit we have a tummy that 100% corresponds with yours!! :D And GUESS WHAT I SWEAR I saw the lil' aliens this morning!! It was so cool. I though maybe I wouldn't see them for another week, but I'm really sure I saw it- not just getting too excited I promise. Kinda like watching a fishpond and seeing the fish swimming just below the surface, but rippling the water. I'll take some more pics of Lei tonight- she is really getting pretty whale-like. I was guessing 12, but I think there might be more.....

Naw so sweet :) we have matching tummies I reckon, really similar size! Yeah Lei's not hugely impressed with the whole being pregnant thing lol. She's really slowing up now, it was noticible today. Only 18 days to go for us, it's getting SO exciting. This is my first ever litter so the excitement is fear, for a large part anyway. Hoping the girls due soon are going well :)

Some photos of Leia last night- with my setter giving the Mumma Bear some kisses :) This is her at the start of week six- I think, there's few in there.... :D

Hoping it goes well for you bel. All quiet here, we have a matching belly Allerzeit! Growing steadily by the day. Lei's appetite finally returned, with a vengeance! *Don't know if puppies in there... or just getting really, really fat...* (lol).

Thanks Allerzeit! Will do! She just started to drop her normal 'tucked in' waist yesterday, so shouldn't be too long now and she'll have a wriggling belly (I can't wait to see that lol) :D

Hi guys, Well, we went in for the palpitation and the vet was happy to say he felt at least three pups in there So we didn't ultrasound. I guess then the singleton situation is unlikely for her, but thank you for that info as I'll bear it in mind. You're right we do have the technology now to make things safer- and I'd much rather be safe than sorry. From what I understand Ridgies are pretty clockwork all round usually, so not expecting too many problems. Lei has been 100% textbook with ovulation timing and has had some major behavioral changes too- but happy to have it confirmed :D to a point anyway! The vet wasn't too keen to teach me how to palpitate really but I did watch and could repeat (I think) what he felt at home. Whelping box is set up and ready and she's already happily sleeping in there :) So exciting!

Thank you for your comments guys :) I think....(I had a big think about it) I'm going to go and have her palpitated, with a general health check and a chat to the vets so that they're aware of when she's due ect. No ultrasound though, there seems to be little point putting her through that process. I'd like to learn how to palpitate and hopefully the vet can show me, so next time they'll be no need to go in. I had a feel last night after reading up online, and I think maybe (big maybe!) that I can feel the sacs. I should add, Lei is very laid back and has never really worried about going to the vet- last time we were there she fell asleep on the examination room floor while I chatted to the vet! So she should be ok. I'm going to call a stop to anything that stresses her out at all. It would be very handy for me to definitely know she's in whelp, as I need to apply for time off work for the birth of the puppies and afterwards. That requires a bit of planning with the work I do..... plus, I'm a complete control freak and can't leave it up in the air!!

Thank you for your help! Much appreciate another opinion on the whole thing :D Love the stopping to chew! Lei has always been a bit picky but it's been so much worse over the last few days. You should see the look on her face when I put her bowl on the floor...She looks straight down her nose and you can see her thinking, really, you expect me to eat that! I can't imagine my other two ever deciding not to eat though lol the setter lives for food :) I haven't seen any changes in her shape yet- she has a really deep chest, and everyone's said to me that she will carry 'high' and won't drop for a while. It's her first pregnancy too (and mine lol).

Hi guys, So my girl is at day 28 of her pregnancy (hopefully). I have a vets appointment booked for Friday, for a palpitation (and ultrasound if necessary) to confirm her pregnancy. Anyway, the owner of the stud dog I used, who I trust implicitly, recommended that I don't preg test Lei and just let nature take its course- on the basis that it's possible for her to stress out at the vets, maybe even pick up a bug there, and we'll soon know if she's pregnant anyway. From what I can gather most people do palpitate/scan at 4 weeks, just to be sure. I am one of those people who really like to know what's happening too! Don't know if I can cope with not knowing... What are your thoughts?

We're doing well! All good signs, although the not-eating at the moment is driving me a bit crazy. Lei is day 28 today, can see a little bit of nipple development already but really its the mood swings that are the best sign currently lol :)

All going well, I should have a litter of Rhodesian Ridgebacks due the 24th of September. Very excited!! The mating is- Aust Ch. Covaines Roxco Izaladyz (Leia) and BIS/BISS Aust Ch. Amakhosi Winds of Change (Makani). We had five ties over five days, from day 12-day 17 of Leia's season so hopefully.... :D It will be the first litter for my prefix 'Devettes'.

Leia Rudolf by Eschlachter1, on Flickr Your friendly Christmas Reindeer...

Oh dear lol I taught myself from the good 'ol internets! :D Riv seems to like it though! I got the idea from the same book as 'sleepy eyes.' The two things that really tire her out are playing with other dogs and running off lead/swimming. The combo of both = very happy setter. That, and chewing shoes :D Do you know anyone with a puppy the same age? Maybe they could have play dates? We're lucky here to have a friend with two young labs, who we meet up with a few times a week for a good play. It's such a 'special' time, living with a puppy gundog! Only minimal amounts of sarcasm intended :) I edited this to add that the last line sounded really harsh and I didn't really mean it! It is a special time- I miss the energy levels and pure happy mania that having a puppy around means you have to enjoy, once they're grown up.

Hi Keasarge, love the flat coats! Honestly I'm yet to meet one that has some 'chill factor' but you never know :D My 9 month old Irish setter also struggled a little to be a settled setter when she first arrived. What helped us was having a designated chill-out zone for her, inside where she could see us (its the other couch in the lounge) and making sure that whenever she was tired she went there; and when she needed to settle, and wasn't that tired, she was put there, and I did T Touch/massaging on her for about 15 mins or till she became sleepy- combined with a technique I call 'sleepy eyes' I read about in a training book. So, you look at the dog in the eyes, and blink slowly (sleepily) together with some fake yawning (or real, depending on where you're at!). They should blink back at you, and follow your eye movements. I usually get very sleepy myself doing it. Takes a little while sometimes but if he's clued he should catch on quickly. The TTouch also seems to really settle her. I find doing this helps them to unwind themselves, and then they don't get too overtired. Riv now can be told to go on the couch and she will instantly fall asleep the moment her head hits the pillow there. The other thing I try and do (and a lot of people here do too) is trying to ensure that inside is quiet time and outside is for running around. If Riv is really not ready for bed she's put outside to play (by herself, the other dogs stay sleeping inside!) till she's burnt off a bit more energy and is ready for bed. Riv gets a similar amount of exercise to your FCR, but she is outside during the day running riot with my other two dogs, which helps :) Cheers Emma