Week #7

Look at me being so good!  I took pictures I spent a good portion of this weekends nights trying to figure out how to hook up my Mac to Ustream the whelping live.  I have managed to figure out all of it except how to turn on the Mac's camera....I'm starting to really hate Mac!!

Depending on how the week plays out anytime after Tuesday, we can have an xray done to find out numbers.  I would rather wait until next week, but we all know how well I wait! LOL

If anyone is a Mac expert and can solve the camera issue, drop me a line.

Name thoughts

As I sit and watch Envy's belly grow bigger and bigger, I find myself in a mental battle with myself (I know those are never good and hard to win!)
I have to date, always stuck with an alphabet theme with my litters...first litter had to have A's in it, the second litter B and so on...but (and it's a big but - not as big as my butt, but I digress) I think I would rather do theme litters. I love the rational behind doing the alphabet, but I really like the fun of themes. Now if I was to do a theme litter, what theme would I pick?? Oh the torture!! My brain is on overload. My first instinct is to do something along the lines of "wonder" or maybe a "super heroes" theme, but those things don't seem to capture the heart ache, waiting and final triumph of this litter.
Of course the really superstitious part of me still doesn't want to acknowledge the litter for fear that things will be jinxed, but then at what point do I let my guard down to enjoy it?

So now that you know how pathetic my brain waves are, any thoughts?

Oh and before I forget Envy's weigh in was 137.7 lbs

Week #6.3

I'm trying to be a good girl and post lots of pictures to keep everyone in the loop.  If I remember to bring my other camera home from work, I will post a video.  I guess I should figure out how to set my Mac book up to do a live feed, that way you guys could just log on and watch the whelping.....I'd just have to remember not to put my big butt in front of the camera!! LOL

Envy was sure that I wasn't going to give her a cookie I had out on the counter and started pouting...

I thought this picture showed the roundness of her tummy.  I will try to take her in for a weight in and hope that she has managed to put a lot of her weight back on.

Week #6

I was always told that the Easter Bunny was a rabbit but here is photographic proof that in fact the Easter "bunny" is a Dane...Here is Envy showing off her belly....

Week # 6

Sorry to be so remiss about adding photos! It seems I spend most of my time trying to get Envy to eat the item of the day. When I went to Save-On-Foods I was most likely heard muttering "Why is everything low or non fat, what if we want fat! Geesh!"
Envy's breakfast was a couple pounts of regular ground beef, her lunch was stewed beef, veggies and rice over kibble with an egg stirred in for luck.
A friend of mine's bitch is due this weekend, so I may post a few pictures of her spotted kids to give you a taste of puppy breath. But I wanted to warn you ahead of time that we could not have spotted babies!! So don't worry!

Meal Time

Here are all the ingredients for Envy's meals (there is pasta in the bowl):

You can see the pasta mixed with yogurt and whipping cream

This is everything mixed up, 1.5lbs regular ground beef (the entire package pictured), 5 organic free-range eggs (scrambled with the garlic), 1 tablespoon of garlic, 1/2 cup whipping cream and 1/2 cup yogurt.

Envy looking at dinner, she will happily look at it but I have to hand feed her at least 3 times a day with this concoction.

This picture was from last night.

And the answer is.....

I know that normally I am pretty good at posting pictures, but I only have news today.
I was going to take Envy in to the vet on Tuesday for a palpation, but was quickly going insane with not knowing what was going on - so I phoned up my friend (she owns 2 of our kids) at the vet clinic and begged her to put me out of my misery. Thankfully there was a cancellation and we were squeaked in on Friday at noon.
Dr. Brian palpated her abdomen and said "No puppies!"
Dr. Anita came in asking "How many puppies?!"
"None" exclaimed both of us.
"Impossible! You have done every test under the sun, there are puppies. We just have to find them. Follow me, it's time for an ultrasound."
Off to ultrasound we went - we weren't going to have an ultrasound done for various reasons, but Dr. Anita was worried that if there were no puppies, then Envy might have other issues that remained undiagnosed.
On went the ultrasound and Envy was smeared with goo.
"There's the bladder....there is the pancreas...Oh there's a - no that's the bladder again.....One!, two!, three!, four!, five!, six!...."
"Stop counting! Stop counting!! I don't care how many, I just care that she's pregnant!!"

So there we are Ladies and Gentlemen - we have puppies!

The first due date is April 10th, keep checking back. I actually had a great night of sleep - it always amazes me how much I can drive myself nutty! Well not really. lol

Week #4 - I have a secret

Here are pictures from today, week 4. She's down to 221 lbs, but doesn't look like she's lost a pound....

Week #3

Here is a picture of Envy impersonating a mime trapped in a box...Figured I should stop teasing you guys and take a picture of Envy with no dinner in her gut!

Here is another of her playing goofy in the kitchen...

A front shot of her belly, with no dinner in it.

So now that I am done torturing you guys I will go back to torturing myself by staring at her to the oint were Darcy is convinced that I am going to give her a complex!!

Week #2 Pictures

Today Giblet and Envy were having a cuddle session, poor Envy puts up with so much from Giblet. Giblet constantly head-butts Envy for attention, so this is how Envy deals with it, she rests her head on the cat.

As for the next photos I will apologize for my need to exam her from ever angle - the down side to taking a photography course and being neurotic with a huge dose of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Keep in mind that these pictures are a couple of hours post dinner...

....Maybe???

Birds eye view...I'm sticking with the dinner story, I think we are seeing a big belly of kibble, but I can always hope - right?

Guinness's Video

Since I can't seem to make it work by embedding it, you need to follow the link!

Week 1 Pictures

Here are a few pictures of Envy lounging around in the kitchen. Nava was very jealous that she wasn't getting her picture taken, hence the legs in the picture below!

Below are a few more pictures of Guinness for everyone to enjoy...

I am also putting the finishing touches on a little video of Guinness so I will post a link when I get a chance...gotta keep you coming back for more! LOL

Please remember that all pictures are property of M.Grenkow Inc. 2008 and are copy written. They may not be reproduced, copied, or used in any way without express written permission from Michele Grenkow.

Edmonton Trip

Here is Envy getting cozy for the long trip to Edmonton in the back seat of Darcy's truck.

A view of the road traveling to see Guinness.

Here is another pictures of Guinness. Thanks again to the hospitality of Dave, Noreen and Sonia! Now we wait...*sigh*
Over the next few weeks I will try and post all the pictures from the trip so you have something to look at while we all wait!

Dear Lord, here we go again!

Mark it on your calendars - "Envy Day #1"

This means that Feb 9th - 12th I'm off to Edmonton for a natural breeding.
I expect EVERYONE to wear their lucky socks, underwear and any
other 'lucky' garment that weekend!!

Ho Hum...

I don't know if it is because I have 2 weeks off and am already bored our of my mind or if this is the plotting scheme of a very evil Great Dane named Envy, to slowly drive me crazy. No, she's not in heat yet, I'm starting to think this is her longest wait between cycles. On the up side with my new camera I get to catch in insanity in 4x7 stills!

A new spin on T'was A Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas
And all through the house, not a creature was stirring
even the Dane on the couch

The stockings were hung so frickin' high in the air
In hopes our Dane couldn't get them up there

The neighbors were nestled feeling safe in their beds
While visions of big dogs zoomed in their heads

With gizzards and chicken and bones going SNAP
The dog hoovered dinner and prepared for a nap.

When out from the crate there arose such a clatter
The dog had to go out and empty his bladder

Up from the floor he flew like a flash
He tore out the door and peed on the grass

He stood there so tall with a big head and lips
He blocked out the moon like a total eclipse

When what to my wondering eye should appear
But a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick

I yelled to the dog "quick come in Rover"
He ran up the stairs and knocked me right over!

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof

I got off the floor and held tight to my head
I looked to the chimney with a feeling of dread

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot

I had concern for Santa so I put him at sit
St. Nick turned around and said "HOLY poop"

The bundle of toys he dropped at his feet,
He said "OMG, what does he eat?"

"That must be a horse or some form of cattle,
let me look in my bag and find you a saddle!"

I explained to Santa he was a great Dane
A very big dog with a really small brain.

Santa got on his knees and broke a big rule
Before I could stop him, he was covered in drool

"he wouldn't bite, not even a robber"
Santa said okay, but was covered in slobber

Santa laid on the floor all covered in jowl's
I ran to the kitchen to grab him some towels.

Santa said "It's Okay, I am no cleaner,
What a cute dog, but BOY what a leaner!"

We helped Santa up, with his bag made of silk
while dog ate the cookies and knocked over the milk!

He jumped back up, as if preparing to flee
He pulled out the presents to chuck at the tree

He backed up the chimney in a bright flash of red
I ran to my room, Rover beat me to bed!

We heard him mumble as he flew out of site
"That guys' really nice but his Dane's just not right!"

Dad Update

It seems that Guinness's first weekend showing in Alberta at the Red Deer Show he took Winners Dog/Best of Winners/ Best of Breed and a GROUP 1!!! Today he did the same in Breed but they have to wait until after lunch for Group Placements. Yeah Guinness!! If he places in Group again today he could have his championship in 2 days.

Here we go again...

Well I found a fawn male that we can do a live cover with! We'll have to take a trip to Alberta but I'm so willing to do that....or at the least send Darcy! LOL
Here are a few pictures of this handsome boy:

He is a Travis son and a cousin of Duke so the pedigree is exactly where I wanted to go, and as you can tell by the photos, he's a hunky boy!
Nava came into heat early and now Envy is starting to think about coming into season. Start thinking happy thoughts.

Happier Days

Maggie is doing well and gaining weight. She is proving that her spirit is stronger then any evil captor, and that even though she is a poorly bred Dane she still genetically knows how to 'be' a Dane. Showing off her lean, zoomies and drool skills.
Although I'm sure that I can start backing off the goats milk and whipping cream mixture, she tells me with her eyes that she's not ready to give it up just yet....think of it as a Dane friendly milk shake! What's sad is when you try and feed her high quality food, she doesn't know what to do with it. I gave her 'Deli-Fresh' food (which Darcy almost ate himself - all human grade ingredients - smells great!) and she just stared at it, but 'Alpo' she'll scoff down by the pail!
You can see where Maggie is emotionally weak by her need to have a "blankie", which is her Duck-stuffie...she grooms it and can't seem to settle down without it.

She has a smile and wag for everyone she meets and never asks for a moment of pity, only love.

Quiet Day

Poor little Karma lost her battle today. There are no pups left.
I can only hope that their senseless deaths make it so that the person that had Maggie can never own animals again.
Maggie continues to improve on a daily basis and hopefully will be shortly placed in a long term foster home.