Just
thought I would post a quick update for everyone waiting for
a puppy!!! Faith is getting VERY, VERY large. Each day I look
at her, I swear she has gained 5 lbs!! She is due next week....hard
to believe! They can whelp anywhere from day 58-68. Generally,
day 60 is pretty common. Day 59 is Wednesday and I am home
starting then. My roommate is home for Mon/Tues for 1/2 days....just
in case. Faith is finding it harder to get comfortable for
longer periods of time...poor girl. I am hoping & praying
that she has inherited her mother's instincts as far as the
whelping/puppies go! Tikka
has been an incredible mom and hopefully Faith will follow
in those footsteps. IF she doesn't I am sure Tikka will take
over for her....lol. I am taking Faith in to see the vet on
Friday or Saturday. This is just a 'check up' to make sure
all is well etc. I like to do this when it is the female's
first litter. It also gives me a chance to talk to the vet
about 'where' he will be next week in case I need him...lol.
I am not expecting any problems/issues etc.
This is not a small litter.....as Faith is way too big for
that. I expect close to 9 or 10 puppies at this point. Man....why
can't I just have a nice, easy, middle size litter...lol.
Tikka's first litter was 12 but she lost 2. Her second /third
litter were 10. Faith is in very, very good health and still
runs and runs.....and her appetite is awesome. She is wanting
to cuddle a bit more, which I don't mind! She is now sleeping
in my air conditioned room so that she is more comfortable.
She will likely whelp in the living room as we can't have
the puppies in a cool draft when they are young. Normally,
we crank the heat up in the room, but we won't have to do
that this time around!!
I am finding it harder and harder to concentrate on anything
but the upcoming whelping!! I always get nervous and feel
SO MUCH better when the pups have arrived safe and sound!!
I will let you all know once they arrive and give you 'stats'
(gender/color etc). If we end up with a large litter (over
9) then I still have a few pups available so if you know of
anyone looking for an awesome puppy/dog, pass along their
information to me and/or send them my email/phone number/website!
I am really looking forward to this litter. I think the colors
will be incredible and I think they will have temperaments
to die for!! I always breed as if I am breeding for myself
(in most cases I am !!! as I keep a pup). I keep telling myself
that I can't keep a pup from this litter but then....I have
told myself that for all of Tikka's litters too!! LOL. If
anyone is interested in co-owning, let me know. If I end up
selling them all, I really, really want to keep these genetics
available to me later on. Some of the dogs in this pedigree
are almost non existent now, so they are quite valuable from
a breeding standpoint. I feel incredibly fortunate to have
these lines and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have
had over the years to breed and produce puppies/dogs that
are of great value to this breed and represent it with such
integrity. I have always loved the german shepherd and traits
that it embodies. It truly is a breed that can 'do it all'.
(when bred correctly).
I also have been incredibly fortunate with the people that
have bought and own puppies/dogs from my past litters. Breeding
is not easy (at least for me) as it can very hard letting
the puppies go to their new homes, thinking/feeling that no
one can care for them like "I" can. Yet, with every
litter, the most incredible people come pick up their new
family member and provide homes that I would be proud to be
a part of! I value and strive to keep in touch with each new
owner!! I want to support you in any way I can and love it
when I get feedback from you! I feel this is very important.
All your feedback is important. It keeps me accountable and
helps me to become a better breeder.
Well, that is all for now!! Please feel free to email, ask
questions, and bug me for pictures, and more pictures and
more pictures!! LOL. If you guys have looked through my website
you will have noticed that I do "Puppy Journals"
from birth to when the pups leave. I usually update these
weekly but sometimes it does not happen that often. I will
send you all the link to the journals once I start (which
will be very soon!!). That will be the 'best' way to keep
yourself informed of what all is going on with the puppies/litter
but again...feel free to email
and ask questions as you think of them.
Thanks,
Shelley
Tehillah German Shepherds
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