I'm ready....

.... even though Aliy doesn't yet seem to be!

7am temp: 99.6
1pm temp: 99.3 (hmmmm......)

Whelping equipment is gathered and ready...



1) Ready Box - When a puppy is is born, once it is clean and breathing well, it will have a chance to nurse. But when another puppy begins to make it's arrival, the ones already "on the ground" will be placed in the ready box so that they are out of the way, safe and warm until Aliy is ready to focus on them again.

2) Heat Disk - warmed in the microwave, wrapped in a towel, this will keep the pups warm in the ready box.

3) Whelping Books - so I know what I'm doing!! The best of the best is The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies by Muriel Lee.

4) Scale - so we know how big the puppies are!

5) Colored Ribbons - so I can tell the pupies apart. Each one will get a different color and will be known for the first 9 weeks of their lives by that color. Aliy was Yellow Girl in her litter.

6) Thermometer - for taking temps if needed.

7) Scissor - for cutting ribbons.

8) Hemostat - in case an umbilical cord needs to be broken.

9) Towels - Whelping puppies is a messy business...

10) Alcohol - for sterilizing hemostats and thermometers

11) Room Thermometer- so we keep the whelping area warm enough. Should be at least 80 degrees.

12) Tube - for feeding if necessary. We hope it's not used.

13) Formula - again, hopefully not needed.

14) Syringe - For measuring formula if needed.

15) Light blubs in reflector shades - for warmth. 40 watt and 25 watt.

Now we wait......