Well I can feel babies moving in Avalon’s stomach! I am starting to check her temperature twice a day. This is a great way to anticipate the birth as the temperature will take a big drop before she goes into labor. We are at Day 57 and I expect puppies will come around Day 62 or 63 but you just never know for sure so we have to watch closely….

Avalon smiling

Avalon is a smiler. Those of you who have researched the labradoodles may be aware that some of them smile. Avalon most often smiles when she is being a playful tease or when she has been naughty and knows she is about to get caught. She will meet me at the door with that big grin and when we can’t find any signs of unruly behavior we know she is just glad to see us! Sometimes people think she is growling but she makes not noise and she wags her tail. As Avalon’s pregnancy is progressing she is smiling more which makes us think she too is excited about her impending litter. One more week to go!

I thought I should add a few photos of our other family members. Kasey is our 10 year old Bishon/Shitzu. She is an independent little gal whose life was really thrown for a loop after we added Avalon. It took her some time to adjust and although I think she would be reluctant to call the doodles “friends” she has moments where they fascinate and entertain her(not to mention she has gotten to enjoy alot of training treats and mouthfuls of puppy food!).

 Leah is our salmon crested cockatoo. We got her 2 years ago and our life has not been the same since! She loves Darren and tolerates me. Darren thinks I am being sensitive but I am the only person she has ever bitten.She loves to entertain the dogs by hanging off her cage and making noises at them and flying to her perch and trying to lure them over. She does not talk but she makes her presence well known.

 Last but not least we have our llamas. They have been a big part of my life for the past 10 years but with the puppies we are needed at home so we have really cut back on our llamas. We enjoy daily visits with our four boys Rocco,Diaz,Cruz and Mateo.Our only female Halo is due to have a baby this fall and is with our friends where she has some girlfriends to hang out with. We are very lucky to share our lives with so many interesting animals!

Kasey

Diaz, Cruz and Mateo

Leah

We really enjoy recieving updates on our puppies but what we love even more is when they stop by to visit. We often see Kona our beautiful chocolate boy from Avalon’s first litter and Teddy T the red cutie from Avalon’s last litter because they are with good friends of ours. We love to see them grow and change and knowing they are close by makes it easier to let them go. I really appreciate all the regular updates and photos I receive from our doodle families.

Time well wasted

We are getting close to the big day. While Avalon is resting (more on her side these days) I am getting all my ducks in a row which includes everything from getting my own hair cut/colored as I won’t get to the salon for the next 2 months to getting all the whelping supplies together and painting our bedroom where the puppies live for the first two weeks. Avalon is eating and sleeping more and acting very protective of all our family members. She loves tv and tonight went after a racoon on a movie we were watching. She sat and watched for a long time before giving up and lying back down in front of the fireplace.

Avalon had her ultrasound today. We saw four puppies. The ultrasound is best for confirming pregnancy and not the size of the litter. We have typically seen four or five puppies as the others were hiding up under her ribs. Avalon is filling out, sleeping alot and wanting to stay close by us. We will update photos as the pregnancy progresses. We hope to have babies about May 6th.