Moonshadow Obi is enjoying some time at the ocean.
FUN!!
Thanks to his humans for giving Obi such a fun life 💙
Here in Boise we continue to get ready for the Big Adventure.
Capella modeling the new location of Puppy Central
Yesterday the kids and I unrolled the Marmoleum, which was no small feat, and got it situated in the right place so it can rest into a flat position — hence the weights on it.
The kids are so excited about the puppies. They want to name them so we have LOTS of discussions about puppy names.
Two decisions have been a source of angst for me.
First, do I get an x-ray done for a relatively accurate count of the puppies? Knowing this number aids in Angst Decision #2 — do we do an election c-section?
Too few puppies can mean labor has a tough time starting/progressing, and (related) also risks oversized puppies. If there are three or less puppies, a c-section makes sense.
A c-section increases puppy survival rates but is an increased risk to the mom. It also means the puppy gut microbiome (part of the immune system) is different than vaginally-delivered puppies, and while certainly not the end of the world, vaginally-delivered puppies have more optimal gut microbiomes.
C-sections are also fast, and can be done during the daytime so nobody has to pull an all-nighter anxiously waiting for puppies.
I don’t want to lose a puppy. I don’t want to put Capella through an unneeded surgery. Vaginally-delivered is optimal. I don’t want to expose puppies to an x-ray. But…
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. That is my brain on Dog Pregnancy.
I could change my mind but at this point I am not planning on an x-ray. The ultrasound suggested 4 - 5 puppies, and she is not super-sized so that supports the number. I will weigh Capella next week to see if her weight gain also supports that continued assumption. She should be able to safely deliver that number of puppies.
An x-ray also helps one know when whelping is done. I am going to trust myself on that. I think I will know. And if there is a question, we can always get an x-ray after puppies are born.
The repro vet clinic has a great service where you can pay for their team to be on-call for an emergency, including a c-section; I have already set that up.
Pozy’s tail and Capella ❤️🩷
We cannot know if we have made the “best” decision until we also know the outcome. All any of us can do is consider things carefully and thoughtfully, and make our best and most-informed choice, given the available data.
I acknowledge I am anxious and angsty about the right courses of action AND I try hard not let that part of me make important decisions.
I don’t pretend those feelings aren’t there!
They are.
But anxiety and angst are really not the best decision-makers on our cognitive/emotional team.
Have a wonderful Monday ❤️
