The view from my chair
Just got a lot cuter :)
Yes, the whelping box is (sort of) in and Clue pretty immediately grasped the possibilities.
This is not the real thing; I wanted to see what would fit in terms of size and shape and the boxes the kennels came in were a convenient way to try things out. Over the next few days I'll be checking temperatures in the box (since it's right under the window) and seeing if Clue is comfortable in it; if she is, we'll replace cardboard with wood and install the pig rails. With the pellet stove going it's very cozy and warm and Clue approves highly.
She managed to crack one eye open to see what on earth I was doing, but having the luxury of a body pillow to support her belly was too much and she went right back to sleep.
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awwwwwwwwww! ♥♥♥
I am SO tired right now that upon first seeing the top picture, I thought "Wow, that is one humongous console TV, I wonder where they managed to unearth such a thing?!?!?" Then I managed to tear my eyes away from Ms. Clue and properly process the visual… boy did I feel dumb!!! :-P
The box looks mighty comfy, not surprised she settled right into it. Hope the temps check out so you can make up a real one, I'm sure she'll be happy. In this case, since she's scheduled for a section, the primary purpose of the box is to keep her comfortable, right? And later to provide a contained space for her and the puppies?
Yes, since she’s having a section I don’t have to contain the whelping mess or keep everybody warm while I’m working on the next one. The main purpose is to give her a place that’s hers (initially the entire room will be gated off and no dogs allowed anywhere close; eventually it’ll be bounded by an ex pen so they can lie on the couch but not get in there with her) and to keep the puppies clean, warm, and draft-free. Right now she’s on a bunch of dog beds and blankets; eventually what I will do is put multiple layers of fleece and towels and other absorbent things in there. Every day I change the top few layers and wash them and dry them.
She seems to love it right now; she wants to be right under the window (where she can stay a little cooler) but the part of the box that’s directly in front of the pellet stove is getting a good steady push of warm air. That may end up being just perfect; the goal is not to keep the whole box one temperature but to have various microclimates where the puppies can seek out the most comfortable temperature for them.
I love coming here and learning something new practically every day!
How completely peaceful is that scene! Enjoy while you can!
Holy Cow, Momma Clue has just popped! How many do you think are in there? It’s amazing how fast they get so big.
But I think you’re going to have a really hard time prying her out of that thing to swap out cardboard for the real McCoy. She looks totally enamored with it.
And Poppa Bramble just might have something to say about you disturbing his wife. Is Auntie Bronte being helpful with all kinds of tips from experience for the mother-to-be?
I couldn’t even begin to predict – I think more than a few but she’s a smaller Cardi so it could be that she’s just carrying big. We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose!
And yes, Bramble and Bronte are definitely the new-mom team. Lots of snuggles and lots of face-licking.