Day 43

And So, remember that I said that things would start advancing quickly now and that the puppy growth would increase rapidly Well, Here's a picture of Ico on July 15th......

And here she is today, July 18... only five days later.

Putting these pictures together made me realize that the 'count down' is not entirely correct. A dog's gestation is approximately 64 days. This is based on timing from the date of Ovulation. We have our Chart and Blog configured from the day of IMPLANT. SO.... this means that the numbers wont correspond to the 64 day gestation. Ico ovulated about (based on Progesterone testing) 4 days before she was inseminated.... which is what we counted on. Only the Scientists (in spirit or mind) amongst us will even be aware of the inconsistency. So... If you're following this expecting delivery of puppies on day 64, you will have to add 4 days... because the puppies will be delivered 4 days before the 64th day if you're counting from the day of fertilization! Ha ha ah .... clear as Mud?! IN ANY CASE we expect delivery either August 4, 5 or 6.

Ico decided that she wanted to sleep in her Whelping box today... not bad since she's only been here a full day now. She spent the day with Auntie Cat, Vita and the rest of the Alchmy girls. I was called into work so had to leave and Cat was thrilled to take them ALL .... LOL... *RIGHT* Auntie Cat (wink wink). Anyway, Ico got a nice full day of romping in the woods. Those babies were bounced around and jiggled to no end. :) They should be used to all kinds of stimulation before they're even born. Just as with human babies, authorities now realize that sedate pregnancies aren't the best for either mom or baby. Ico's Reproduction Vet breeds Dobermans and she lets her girls compete in 'Fly Ball' up to the last week of pregnancy. She says that they let her know when they need to slow down. Since Raquel has done such a fantastic job keeping Ico in shape by jogging and ball play, Ico should be in tip top condition for delivering the babes.

Here's Ico in the Box and Corsa peeking in. There is a sheet over the box to give Ico more a sense of a den.