They're HERE!!

  

The puppies have arrived!  Typical Lauren, she went into labor and started whelping with intensity, actually at "Jie speed"--you library people know that means I had my means full trying to keep up!  Two puppies came within two minutes of each other!  The first five were born in less than 1 1/2 hours, then we had a two hour break after which Lauren popped out 3 more.  I think 8 will be our final number, with 4 males and 4 females.  Mama is taking a well-deserved rest while the babies are having a good lunch.  This is the most vigorous litter I have ever whelped!  Everyone weighs between 8 and 10 ounces, but I have a lousy scale and they move so much, it was hard to get an accurate weight.  All the puppies are extremely active and strong and good nursers.  I can see their little tummies filling and rounding out as they nurse!  Lauren is an excellent mom and very proud of her new brood!

More pictures later, and maybe a video by the end of the week-end!

Puppies!!!

  In January, we had the opportunity to co-own CH Jag-View Reflections of Faith (Lauren) with our handler, Ellen Russell.  It was love at first sight!  Lauren's everything we've been trying to achieve with our breeding program.  We brought her home and she immediately settled in and took over!  We call Lauren our "full-tilt gal" as she does everything with enthusiasm and boundless energy.

  Within a month, Lauren came into season and Ellen had already chosen her suitor, CH Lochwynde Jag-View Xing Jordan, a beautiful smooth collie with the same fun loving personality as Lauren.  A friend and I took Lauren to NC and got to spend a day visiting with many beautiful collies, plus get a preview of spring!  Two weeks later, David and I picked Lauren up and crossed our fingers.

  Almost immediately, our pretty girl started showing signs of pregnancy.  We were hopeful, but didn't want to get too excited as many of our girls have disappointed us in the past.  As the weeks went on though, I was becoming confident that Lauren was indeed pregnant and took her to the vet for confirmation last week.  A quick ultra sound showed that Lauren is pregnant!!  We saw four puppies within seconds, but everyone thinks Lauren will have a much larger litter.  This blog will record her final couple weeks of pregnancy, delivery and progress of this much anticipated litter!