Day 38

Lavena and I (Vikki) had a great time visiting Raquel and Ico yesterday. I love to see how quickly Ico is settling in with visitors. We spent a few hours last week walking and playing ball and Ico acted as if she and Lavena were old friends.... of course treats and a tennis ball helped a lot ;) Yesterday I noticed a difference in Ico's personality. She's always bubbly, poodely and bouncy but yesterday she wouldn't stop hugging me. It’s like she couldn’t get enough Lov’n. Lavena was also sitting on the floor and enjoyed getting to know Kinsey (Raquel's 14 year old shepherd mix), who kept vying for toys. Ico couldn't decide whether she wanted to dig into my lap or steal the toys from Kinsey and play with Lavena.

Our plan is to get Ico very comfortable with Lavena so she can be present for the whelping. As Raquel pointed out, there’s a chance that I’ll be at work during part of the delivery. I wasn’t able to take the specific time off... darn those girls for having a mind of their own!!! But it’s likely that I’ll be there for at least the beginning or the end (and hopefully all of it). Lavena is a good friend of mine, a poodle breeder, poodle trainer, poodle lover and just a wonderful gal. She has a wonderful way with all dogs and gives off the most amazingly calm vibes. I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for helping out.

The other issue is Raquel of course... and whelping those puppies! Can you imagine her; with her obsessive neat-nick personality?!?! She’d be trying to put diapers on the puppies as they were being delivered! Poor Ico could be so distracted putting smelling salts under Raquel's nose, between contractions, that she'd forget why she's in the whelping box!.... Ha ha ha ha ... just kidding, Raquel ;^D

Here is a pic of Ico’s growing Buddha Belly day 37. She was a glutton for belly rubs.

Here she is with Lavena... the Oh-so-poor recipient of a full body massage!... Ico not Lavena ;^) Ico was in such bliss she was having a hard time not falling asleep. We all decided that Lavena has ‘Magic Fingers.”