Just a few days to go

Due date is around February 11 (though it could be earlier or later, of course), and we still don't know the number of puppies yet. We'll have an x-ray done next Tuesday and the puppies will be well enough along to count. We would love to know today, but they are still forming, and we don't need to shoot too much radiation into them too early! 

Käthe is getting bigger, naturally. And she is still active -- walks, patrols of the yard, standard anger at the mailman. The whelping box is in place and she's starting to take an interest in it. The biggest change is how much she needs to be near us. She's always been affectionate, but this is different. Not bad, but different. Funnily, she wants to be near or even touching us but really does not want us to pet her. And our older girl, Leda, is constantly inspecting Käthe. Smelling, even licking her, is a regular routine for Leda. Typically, Leda tolerates Käthe, but now she is more than curious about her "sister" -- dogs can sense earthquakes coming, right? 

We are both very pleased with the interest we've had in the litter, and especially happy to see how many well-informed and truly interested inquiries have come in. It's been great talking with so many of you.  

More to come!