Coming down to the last of it

Eight to Nine

Puppies are ready to be born, I am noticing less movement, it's getting tight in there, they are pretty much in line for the birth order She is restless, uncomfortable, it's difficult to stretch her tummy today, very concerned about the gopher in the backyard.  I am getting a lot of starting at me, like "what the heck is going on?"  She's feeling it but we probably still have a couple of days. Most dam's appetites slow down due to their tummies are so full of puppies, not Hilde, she's eating like a champ this morning and last night. Good idea to start taking Dam's rectal temperature.  Normal is 99.5 to 101. A drop to 97 - 98 on two readings an hour apart will mean the start of pre-labour" (we have not seen this yet with Hilde but I continue taking her temperature ... I havn't found temperature taking that effective but I do take the temps to ensure everything is going well) Rule of thumb:  one inch for every puppy, today her girth is 27 1/2" she started at 21" and has seven puppies, do the math, she's half an inch for the weight of the puppies to kick off labor.   This is usually accurate, it's soon...