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That's really interesting (I mean it). I've NEVER noticed a co-relation between milk production and whelping, except that most of my bitches do have some kind of milk production going prior to whelping. I think what struck me particularly about Vanni was the fact that she is my first maiden in a VERY long time to have full milk prior to labour. Most of my maidens tend not to have a lot....some but just not a "full bag" before whelping. I did read in Karen Hedberg's book that when there is milk production easily in the top (small) nipples to expect labour within 24 hours and I freaked at the time because that would have meant puppies 3 weeks early! :rofl:

Is that usually a sign in your breed? I only ask because I've never found it to be reliable. In fact, Vanni had milk in ALL nipples about 3 weeks ago.

I'm so thrilled you got what you wanted! Once I'd gotten over the shock of the circumstances of my litter actually happening, I kept telling Vanni that if she would just have a little girl for me, all would be forgiven! Well, Rimes was obviously keen on forgiveness too cos he gave me TWO little girls! Kimmy still isn't out of the woods yet, but she's finding the boob a lot better than she was earlier so fingers crossed she makes it through tonight. Every day is a gift at this stage!

Well done Now comes the fun part for us both! :nahnah: The time-wasting!

Talking apples and oranges here Poodle wrangler. A slicker brush doesn't do what the Coat King (or furminator) does.

Well, Vanni's birth story was easy. She nested and she strained hard to expel puppy number one for an hour. No panting whatsoever. Screamed like a banshee when the puppy finally crowned. She then settled down, cleaned herself and the puppy, rolled over to open the milk bar and went to sleep. 5 hours later, no nesting, no panting, no straining....I was changing her newspaper because I thought she had piddled in the Puppy Palace and all of a sudden she jumped up and spun around with a puppy hanging from her butt. Puppy was snorting fluid and no amount of swinging or suctioning would remove it.....she was quite flat, laying on her side doing that AWFUL slow paddling motion that all breeders hate to see, and almost shellshocked. Given my time over again, if I'd known that she was in there waiting to come out, I would probably have not let Vanni go past a couple of hours, for the sake of the puppy if nothing else.

Must be something about long delays! I tell you though, if I'd had the slightest inkling that there was another puppy hiding in there after the 2.46am delivery, it would have been pulled out of her well before the 7.41am start time of its choice!

Thanks jerojath! I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO thrilled to have not just one but TWO little bubba girlies to squish!! I think things are looking up for little Kimmy, she is warming up now and is supporting herself better rather than just doing that awful paddling motion on her side. That always strikes fear into my heart. She's latching on pretty well too now but I still think Vanni may need a shot of calcium to help with letdown.

RIP little bubba whippy. Hey....don't talk to ME about taking time. Here I was thinking after Vanni had cleaned up and settled down comfortably to feed in the wee dark hours of stupid o'clock that she was all finished and then out pops Kimmy at 7.41.....I've NEVER had a 5 hour delay between puppies. And come to think of it, I haven't actually had a bitch that hasn't had ANY contractions but suddenly has a puppy hanging from her bum either!

Thanks Bokezu! You just might even get to meet them in about 3 months time!

Vanni and her girls!

Woohoo...you go!!

She's sturdy but still quite waterlogged. Still trying to get hold of the vet.

Thanks guys! Yep Aziah!! TWO girls! Now of course I will have to be VERY hardhearted and not fall in love with both of them! Smarty pants Rimes, not only proves he has taddies but that he can sire girls as well!

Miss Vanni is VERY good at keeping secrets! Welcome to the world Miss Kimmy, another black girl (YAY VANNI!!!! ) at 7.41am, weighing 211gr. Very waterlogged and quite shellshocked, I'm a bit worried about her. May take her into the vet when it opens for a spot of oxygen and perhaps a shot of calcium for Vanni, she's not letting down very well yet.

No more bubbas. Am thinking that's why the start-stop start-stop to labour. This time there was just no stopping that little bundle! She's very cute! At least I can be forgiven now for not being sure her mum was in whelp for so long......

Black bitch - born 2.36am Mother and daughter doing well......little bubba feeding and VERY strong!! Not sure how many or even IF there are any more.......watch this space!

We have lift off!

I'm going to bed. Hopefully I will be awoken during the night by the dulcet tones of much nesting, panting and straining!

Vanni only got one bite at the cherry....she was RAPED by a juvenile delinquent so tomorrow is D-Day!!!

How many days is she? And is she a maiden? Vanni is 64 days today and is a 4 yo maiden and I don't think she has many on board. If she is VERY clever she'll go by herself tonight or she's going to have to put up with fingers up her jaxxie tomorrow and that could just be the start of it!!

Me tooooooooo!! Besides, I'm ALREADY booked into the November thread and having two litters within a month is scary enough! Was hoping THIS litter would be up on their feet and just about weaned by the time the whelping pen had to be used again! Editing to ad: Rajacadoo-doo-doo, I'll deal with YOU at a later date!

*sob* She's playing with my mind!

If it is a pin brush you are after, I highly recommend the Plush Puppy brushes. I like them so much, I use them on my own hair as well. They're better quality than the pet shop ones but very reasonably priced. Plush Puppy also now (I think) manufacture a slicker brush. However I use the Doggyman Slickers myself. Bristle brush, I don't know about. I use a natural boar bristle that I bought at the supermarket (in the human grooming section) for under $20 and it is fabulous. Does the same job as my Mason Pearson used to at a mere fraction of the price. And knowing my tendency to lose brushes at dog shows, I feel a lot safer when it leaves home!