Tuesday 2 November 2010

The Wickedest Whippet becomes a Mum and I am pretty exhausted...

Sassy, aka the EBJ, started having puppies at 1:45am.
I was woken by her wanting to go for a wee and wanting a drink. I was rather annoyed because I thought it meant she wouldn't be having puppies anytime soon. I went back to sleep only to be woken almost immediately by Sassy scrabbling about underneath my dressing table!
Now the job truly begins...
1.53am: She's lying quiet now, her breathing heavy but calm. I'd say she's resigned. There have been several periods of heaving getting longer each time. Sometimes she just lies there accompanying each massive heave with a deep grunt like sigh. Other times she stands or semi squats trying to expunge the pup. There is much licking and cleaning.
2:18am: Water breaks.
She's doing so well and I am so proud of her and oh how I feel for her but there is one thing I am eternally grateful for; Thank God the natural imperative to clean up everything, and I mean everything, has not remained in force to the same extent in humans as it is with other species…
The heaves come in spates and seem to get deeper, her agitation increases then she calms. Then it starts over and she cleans. Occasionally the depth of the push is accompanied by a strangulated bark -almost surprised.
2:37am: There is a tiny lull, then the contractions start again accompanied by much heavier panting...
I stroke her as there is not much else I can do. She either doesn't mind or couldn't care less her mind on more important matters...
I wish it would be born. I begin to worry what if it's mal-presented?  What of it's stuck? Please let it go alright...
2:47am: I talk calmly to her though I feel anything but. Good girl, there's a good lass all over soon. What a good mummy whippet! As she heaves again, she stands up and turns about, constantly turning about, never comfortable and I so want it to be over for her, to get this first one out. There is silence.
Then the heavy panting and skyward gazing start all over again.
Come on Whippet! Come on the Mummy Whippet....
2:58am: I go to leave her to fetch some more blankets and some water and when I return she's out of her box on her way to find me. Clearly there is no way I'm going to be able to leave her to take the boys to school, though by that time I sincerely hope it's all over.
3:12am: Still no pup...
There’s nothing for it now I must call the vet.  I get through and a sleepy voice asks me what the problem is I explain all the time stroking the dog. The nurse says she’ll get the vet to call in tem minutes…ten minutes has never felt so long…
3:29am: Berludy long 10 minutes that…I tell the vet what’s happening and as I do I note a pair of feet. The vet says to grab them and hold on – way more tricky in practice that! Have you ever tried? Every time the dog heaves the feet pop out and then I try to grab them but they are slippery little blighters and she’s wondering what the heck I’m doing so is constantly peering over her shoulder at me and then moving to get a better look and I’m trying to give the vet a running commentary. I swear he’s laughing at me. Isn’t it typical though? You call in the Cavalry and then it’s not needed. The vet signs off with a cheery: “Well it should be over by breakfast…” Great!
First puppy born 3:51am
Second puppy born 4:04am
Two little girls; the first almost all black with a white nose and a real squeaker, the second a blue grey with pretty white nose and stripe. Both similar in size. Both squeak! A lot!!
There is a simple wonder about birth, it being so commonplace but a miracle every time.
I am going to be very, very, tired at the end of this. Poor boys the excitement of puppies and the dread of a seriously grumpy mum!
Third puppy's water broke at 5:01am. Born at 5:16am. A little blue grey boy, a bit smaller than his sisters but feisty!
Fourth puppy immediately on its way at 5:25am hopefully born very soon...5:27am number four makes an appearance. This one is really quite big.
Number five born at 5:41am.
I am not sure where we are I think we have two more girls...

21 comments:

Dorset Dispatches said...

Oh what a brilliant wickedest whippet. And gorgeous pups. I love the blue ones... did you get any sleep today?

Tattieweasle said...

Pants - I am playing catch up with myself...they were actually born 30 days ago and no I got NO sleep that day. I woz a walking zombie but a pretty happy one!!!!

Michelloui said...

Squeeeeee! I love them! Im a fan of whippets (sighing longingly). I'll bet that was pretty magical, if a little exhausting for you the midwife.

Expat mum said...

HOw awful to be watching all that and knowing that there wasn't much you could do to ease it for her. Imagine giving birth for hours like that? Still they are gorgeous and glad it all went well.

Lou Archer said...

oh lovely. I've never had puppies but now I feel as if I have. Brilliant writing. Thanks.

We're hoping to have chicks hatch this coming weekend. So excited. Thee are 6 eggs under Whitey.

Little Red Hen said...

Aww, bless her heart. That must have been a pretty awesome experience.

Tattieweasle said...

Michelloui - it was magical if a tad tiring for both me and her.
Expat Mum - I think I now know how my husband felt when I had the boys!
Lou - It's always wonderful to be at a birth, be it chicks, puppies or even humasn babies! Crossing fingers for Whitey!
Little Red Hen - Always awesome!
She's made a fab Mum and I am SO proud of her in fact I could almost forgive her anything...but maybe not the bit where she stole my knickers to take them into her bed to help her nest before the puppuies were born! She also took The Boy's socks, Bog Boy's teddy and a pair of my shoes...

resewn sally said...

Ah, beautiful! It's so worrying seeing your poor pooch in pain, and knowing that although it's the most natural thing they could be doing, you just wish there was something you could do to make it go easier for them. You did well! As did wickedest whippet! Brilliant!

Mother Hen said...

Well done to all of you! I guess we will be hearing a lot from you now as you are officially tied to house and hound for the next few weeks as Mom of Puppies.

Anonymous said...

Oh how wonderful!! It brings back lovely memories (and perhaps painful) of when Sparky had her litter of 6 last summer. We're hoping to put Bonnie into pup next year.

Hope mummy and all 5 pups are doing well.

CJ xx

Tattieweasle said...

Resewn Sally - Exactly! Although I knew it was natural I was really feeling for her; maybe it brought back memories of having my own two boys and realising that no one can tell you the first time how it will be...
Mother Hen - That's it! Housebound for the next month or so. I don't mind a bit but I will say they are an awful waste of time! Love 'em to bits!
CJ - I loved all those wonderful pix you did of the puppies theya re so adorable. All doing well at present though mayeb the same can't be said of me who has had to keep waking up to prevent Mum from sleeping on pups!

CAMILLA said...

Ah bless, pleased to hear the pups came through well, you must have been totally exhausted Tattie, well done you.

Mummy Whippet and you must so proud of the little darling Pups, if I saw them I would have to take them all.!

xx

Tattieweasle said...

Camilla - They are just adorable and all doing very well indeed. Sassy is upstairs having a rest. She is SO clever! Will post some pix up soon...

Potty Mummy said...

Congratulations! (They look gorgeous, btw!)

Tattieweasle said...

Potty - Thnak you! they still are gorgeous even when I have to clear up after them!

Rob-bear said...

Such a challenging experience for you and Sassy. Glad everything worked out in the end.

So, it's a month on now. How are they all doing? Do you have any more pictures?

Jenny Holden said...

What an amazing thing to experience! Loved the commentary, it was like being there with you both. Where are the up to date puppy pics?! Whippets must be so doddery on those long legs!

bodran... said...

How lovely, and how do you feel granny Lol very maternal i bet xx
But please no more photos or i'll be seriously tempted .

Iota said...

Oooh, how exciting.

Tattieweasle said...

Rob-Bear - A month on tand they are just gorgeous and edible all plump and cute. Not a good thing though as I know I cannot keep one this time...ah me!
Jenny - Whippet puupies are the most adorable puppies looking nothing like the finished article. I always think of them as being baggy at the seams and there will be a whole load more pix soon!
Bodran - I am tempted everyday but he who must be obeyed says no to keepingone this tiem four dogs he says are enough...woudl that it were otherwise. Have good homes for two only three to go!
Iota - it gets more exciting when they escape!

Apple Island Wife said...

Phew! I was quite relieve to reach the end of that post, the tension waiting for them to arrive was doing me in. I've read another post by our Gourmet Farmer here in Tasmania this morning about him milking his cow who's also newly birthed and has a very big taut udder, so now I'm having palpable sympathy pangs about breastfeeding AND giving birth. I'me off to look for a post about something quite different - carpentry for chook sheds or something.

You'll be very attached to them having been midwife....

Lovely post xxx

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