(click on the picture to enlarge)
Over the last few weeks, and with the gift giving season approaching, I've been contemplating sharing with you, the reader, one of the most precious gifts I can offer. As someone that wears many hats, I'm about to change into another one ... it's the one I wear when I'm serving as my greyhound's "accoucheuse". It's something that come's as second nature to me and that I've done for about 20 years. While it's not what some might call the most glamorous of roles, it is one of the most satisfying. My female greyhound Tatiana is having puppies, and I've decided to share this experience with you through photo's and posts. From start to finish, I'll try and document the birth of a litter of NGA racing greyhounds, and then share with you their growth in the days, weeks, and months to come. The puppies are due on December 11th.
Like myself, most greyhounds tend to be private by nature, Hit Em Up Lucky (nicknamed Tatiana) and I came to an agreement that sharing the miracle of her puppies birth, and then following the pups through the first 6 months of their life might be a real treat for some of the readers here at Iowagreyhounds Blog. Sometimes I take for granted the blessings of working with greyhounds for a living. I am reminded how infatuated the visitors to the Adoption Program, which I ran for 20 years here at the farm, would be when they spotted the puppies... they not only got a glimpse of our lives and lifestyle, but the greyhounds, young and old, as well. It was a special day for those folks, getting a hands on experience with a breed they truly loved, and they always left a little more lighthearted and enlightened than when they first arrived. Greyhounds raise the spirit and soothe the soul, of this I have little doubt.
Tatiana is a first time mother, but she is aware that there are big changes taking place in her body. We are both a little nervous for her, but with her loving and kind nature, we think that with the help of Mother Nature, along with my guiding hand, in the end, she will be a good and nurturing mother and that God willing, the puppies will thrive. I don't predict a big litter, perhaps just 6 or so, and that is always a pleasant number to sustain, especially for a first-time mama. She was bred to the fabulous Flying Hydrogen, and I'm really excited to work with such an incredibly bred litter.
So.... keep checking back in, as we are in the final days of her gestation period. Her belly is large, her appetite is waning, and I'm checking in on her often for the other signs that this miracle of life is about to begin. At that point, I won't leave her side, until both of our jobs are done to the very best of our abilities, and all is well with mother an pups.
Greyhound Christmas Puppies ..... I can think of no better gift!
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