The fact I committed to a puppy before "it" was even born, has put me into a very privileged situation. I could follow Laila and Joy through all the steps that should have lead up to Joy's pregnancy. It's as close as I will ever get to feel and share the hopes, as well as the despairs, of raising a litter. It has been a nail-biting time, more then I could have imagined beforehand. But my nails will have ample of time to grow back in time before Joy's next heat cycle.
The passion of a breeder like Laila is a wonderful thing. The time and effort she has put into the preparation, like the health-checks, mental checks, the show- and training results. The time to let Joy grow and develop herself, to observe into what dog and character she would evolve, and to search for a male that would complement her, all within the boundaries set by the Danish Hovawart club. Already along this road of preparation many things can go not as expected. You have to have a lot of passion for your dog and the breed to see this through the right way, like Laila has.
When the moment was there for a first mating, after years of preparation, again no time and effort were spared. Blood tests were done to confirm ovulation. When mating didn't seem to work out, insemination followed, but was - as we now know - just a fraction too late. The final scan a few long and painstaking weeks later revealed no puppies. I can imagine how disappointed Laila must have felt. I think the time and effort hardly mattered anymore at that time. It was the dream at risk. It would have been a hard pill to swallow almost at then end of the road.
The despair we both shared that day, both for different reasons, was short though. The final scan revealed no puppies, but also, no indication of any problem that would prevent it from succeeding again.
Hope was soon restored.
Still, I would appreciate some paws and fingers crossed when we get that far!
So sorry to hear about your loss. We mated Silver a couple of times before she got pregnant and it was so disappointing when there were no puppies. But I will say this when the time is right, it makes waiting all worth it.
ReplyDeletePaws crossed. :)
Thanks for the paws crossed, all 24 of them! :)
DeleteI know there are many people who think dogs should never be purposely bred as long as there is a single dog waiting for a home. But I found working with Honey's responsible breeder a fascinating experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see what "doing everything right" looks like. And it's a wonderful thing to have healthy, well-socialized dogs carrying on good blood lines.
In Honey's case, her good start helps her to be a stable presence for other dogs who need it. Just yesterday, someone who was raising a future service dog used Honey's calm presence to teach her pup to stay focused and alert.
I know your future puppy will be a wonderful gift--not only to you but to other dogs and people who meet him or her.
It is indeed. I knew so little when I got Kenzo. I enjoy following it from close by now I am more aware. I hope all the care that has been put into "it" will pay-off like it did for Honey.
Delete