Temperature is Dropping

 Basset internal temperatures usually hovers at around 104 degrees (f), unless they are sick or nearing whelping. We usually begin temping our mothers about a week from their due date. In this case the due date is the third of February so we started this morning since Pixie is so very big and having the dog equivalent of false labor occasionally. This morning she was at 98.4 degrees. So it's time to get our whelping act together and prepare for the seige that is whelping. 

We've been taking shifts for almost a week now, watching her through the night and making sure she is well fed and as comfortable as we can make her. Tonight we will begin walking her out at night when she wants to go and stay within a few feet of her at all times for safety.

We have bought a new tarp to cover her whelping pen and brought down the kiddie pool where the blessed event will take place. This evening we will be ready. These things always start at sunset and are usually finished at dawn, but this is not always the way it goes. Which suset she begins with is still a mystery.

Laffee Taffee would go in and out of labor for a week, then have the litter in rapid fire succession. The Cinnamon Bear would show no signs of labor and then walk into the pool to have her eleven effortless pups. Some take much more work. Some have troubles.  There's no telling how Pixie will do her thing, but we'll be there helping where we can. 

Pixie's pups will all be named for Penny Candies, the stuff of our childhood. We have picked ten names and hope to not need them all.