Let me just cut to the chase to get straight to the heart of this all so exciting announcement...
We now have ultrasound confirmation on Meiko & Isla's pregnancies!
Little viable peanuts are dancing in bubbles to show us life and give us a glimmer of what is ahead for us here and for so many hopeful families waiting. It's still a touch early to confirm Leia so that will come next week, but, she is tucked under my hand extremely clingy showing the tell tale sign of babes baking for her as well.
These photos aren't the best but they are enough to at least confirm life, not count, but indeed pups on the way.
All 3 mamas are in what I call 'bake mode' calmly and contently loving life as they 'bake' their wee ones.
Meiko almost at the half way point, Isla following her up and then Leia hopefully a few days behind her. We'll see by next week if we get to the belly bump stage or not. Most of their growth is well into the 2nd half of their pregnancies.
So as these mamas tuck under my hands, lean against my leg and soak up this heat, Tonka keeps little Neema thoroughly entertained and attempts to wear her out.
These two are 2 peas in a pod and play as late as I let them into the night. Tonka shows her how to climb up on stumps, which side is safest to get down, how to play with the bungee toy, and how to create joy out of simply running.
If Neema is playing on her own Tonka is always near by with a watchful eye on her at all times. When he's done his 'job' she either curls up with him or shifts her attention and energy over to the girls and snuggles up with them. They each have their own role they play in raising this little one. The dynamic is fascinating to watch.
Tonka escorted Neema to her vet appointment this week to lend a supporting paw as she got her booster vaccine. Who wants to go to the doctor without a support side kick anyway! Tonka weighed himself in @ 63 lbs. To show little Neema how it's done. 18.5 lbs. I weigh mom! She did terrific and earned a cozy snuggly nap once she got home.
Plenty more hose play, pool wading and bobbing for lemon cucumbers in buckets took place this week. Yes it was hot but we were combating and conquering each moment of heat and appreciating the peace around us.
As I hold a guiding hand and keep a watchful eye over everyone to make a difference here, my Vet Tech daughter Loa, travels solo to Iquitos Peru, to make a difference there. Her passion matches mine to give back to the animals not only around her but also afar. She's broadening and expanding her knowledge in what she does and will come back no doubt buzzing with energy and a new found love for the world.
Her ER/speciality clinic where she works, is extremely blessed to have her.
They will miss her, I will miss her but she's only gone for a couple of weeks to immerse herself in the tech world of animal care. I can't wait to see what she brings back.
She has taught me so much about not only the medical side of things but energy, empathy, safety, sharing space, communication with humans and dogs and how to knit that all together in a way that is effortlessly smooth.
Moments this week stole away my heart and melted me every second.
A flash of awareness, a look of eagerness, a dash of searching to shift me, a glimpse of love from one to the next, back to me and then back to the others. Here's more than a handful of these moments that I can't help but to share with you all. Moments like these are so much better shared with passionate people who understand the souls of these dogs.
Meiko brings me back to earth....
Isla sinks into my soul....
Leia seeps love and sweetness into every inch of my heart...
Tonka calms and balances me and everyone around him ....
And Neema entertains but also stops me in my tracks to allow the necessarily chaotic whir that sometimes gets too fast in my head slow down just enough to realize to always stop and smell the roses.