Here's a video of Miss Rini

In case you were wondering, it's pronounced "Reenee" ... she was named for Aquamarine, her litter was the gemstone litter of Juliet's. Here's a video of Miss Rini relaxing at home and playing with my hand. Crazy girl!

Photos don't do her justice...

Rini's getting her beauty sleep

The photos of Rini's belly really don't do her justice. She is as big as a house! Every day she gets bigger and bigger.

I was looking at photos of Chippy's pregnancy and Chippy was bigger at this stage, but she's a much bigger dog overall. Rini is so petite that any extra weight shows on her.

She's still very active and dashing around the yard playing with Viola and Henry, so it's not slowing her down any, but she is taking a lot of naps. We're taking her for daily walks to keep her in shape so when she's in labor she'll have the stamina to make it through the whole ordeal, especially if she has lots of puppies like her mother, Juliet, whose last litter was 12 live puppies. Yowzer!!

Her belly just keeps growing...

DAY 33

Rini's belly photo - day 33

Well there is definitely no doubt now that Rini's belly is expanding. We're starting to guess how many puppies. I say 12, Derek says 9.

We're going to have Rini x-rayed a week before the babies are due and we'll know within one or two approximately how many to expect.
X-rays are more reliable than ultrasounds for canine pregnancies because it is much easier to count the skulls and spines in an x-ray. They look like tiny apples and zippers. You just match up the number of apples and zippers.

Fully-formed miniature dogs...

Rini relaxing in comfort

According to the whelping calendar, Rini's babies are now about the size of large walnuts, and they are fully-formed miniature dogs. Her abdomen is starting to expand (check!) and I should start to increase her food ration slightly (check!). Around Oct 11th I should be able to feel the babies easily.

This past weekend we were at the Timbreblue Reunion and Mom (Sharyn Hutchens) tried to feel them and she said she thought she felt something. With whippets it's easier because they don't carry much fat at all.

I told you Henry loves his bunny!

Henry & Bunny

New photo of Daddy Henry adoring his bunny. Really he is easy to please. He just wants somewhere comfy to sit, and his bunny.

That's my crazy leopard print dress he is lying on. Hey, everyone wears crazy stuff sometimes... right??

Rini's brother Cobalt

Photo by Holly
Ricker Curran

This is Rini's brother Cobalt, photo taken at the Timbreblue Reunion on Saturday. Isn't he lovely!!

Cobalt is owned by Stephanie and Jamie Odom of Florida, and he's very intelligent and sweet just like his sister. He was one of three blue "triplets" born in the Gemstone litter by Juliet and Blue. The other "triplet" is Rainey, who is owned by Carrie Jubb and Chris Elledge of Virginia. We were able to reunite the triplets at the Timbreblue Reunion this weekend!!

Rini is a little bit grumpy...

DAY 31

She's had a short temper with the other dogs, and they don't understand when we try to explain about hormones and the birds & bees... Viola just says that Rini better snap out of it, and the boys get their feelings hurt.

We're definitely noticing an expanding waistline, and her appetite is endless, although she gets full on less food at each meal. Pretty soon I'm going to switch her to 3 or 4 small meals spread through the day. I'm glad she's over her morning sickness.

Getting Rini to take her folic acid tablet is a daily challenge. She doesn't like the taste of it. I started out just tossing it in with her food, and she'd eat it, but she's wise to that now and picks around it. So I tried putting it in a Pill Pocket (which is a piece of tasty meaty flavored putty that you can wrap pills in) but she quickly caught on that the smell of a Pill Pocket means there is a PILL INSIDE so I am trying to think of new strategies. I think our next step is to wrap it in a piece of cheese. She is nuts for cheese!