Hot and Bothered

This weather really can't make up it's mind, poor Bella did not know what to do with herself at our allotment yesterday (Thursday) it was SO hot! Alan set her up with a parasol for shade, but she still couldn't settle for long, bless her. I remember that feeling having had four babies myself - though mine weren't all at once!

Back at home we set up the whelping box and she hopped right in. How did she know? Really happy with it and with the amazing customer service from Petnap.co.uk. Within 24 hours of ordering and here we are all set to go. 

You can just see her wagging tail. Happy girl. Ooh maybe only one week to go. 

Wow! Time is flying and now there's only two weeks to go! Bella is most definitely in the family way, she is my shadow and always in the way! We had a few days down in Cornwall over Easter and the doods loved the beach and jumping the waves. Bella travelled well jumping in and out of the car as usual, but now we've dug out our old ramp (we used to have an elderly and much loved Golden Retriever who needed help getting in the car.)
Now spring is finally here we are getting out and about we spend time outdoors at our allotment and the doodles have always enjoyed being with us. Got a lovely pic which shows that baby belly in all its glory! Doesn't she look gorgeous?

I'm keeping Bella pretty much in her usual routine and she's certainly eating for a family now. Got to do some shopping for all the essentials for a home birth as it will be here before we know it!

After a strange few days where Bella went right off her food and worried me silly she seems to have picked up again. I have never been overly fussy about feeding the dogs we found a brand we liked (and could just afford) that kept them in good condition and weight stable - James Wellbeloved Lamb and rice, and stuck pretty much to it. Bella has always been keen on her food before,  usually finishing way before Maya. But suddenly she refused to eat it at all.

I consulted the vet who suggested boiled chicken and rice, and not to worry. So 7 o'clock in the morning found me cooking especially for her, and would you believe it the little madam ate it all. So for 5 days now I've been gradually increasing her own JWB in with rice and chicken until today when she seems to have accepted things are back to normal! Hormones, morning sickness, who knows? Dogs can't tell you can they?

Always affectionate, Bella has been positively needy now she's pregnant and every time I sit down now, her chin is placed upon my knee, eyes burning into mine as if to say "What is happening?" - And don't tell my OH but when he's out she'll even get up onto the sofa with me for a real cuddle. Yes, we decided that our dogs are dogs and don't need to sit anywhere but the floor - but what harm does it do once in a while! My grown up children used to post pictures on their FB to show the doodles on the sofa whenever we went away - so the precedent has been set now.

It seems incredible that in exactly 4 weeks from now she'll be a mummy and we'll have puppies in the house. Doesn't seem that long ago that she was our puppy!