Accepting what the heavens have graced us with

I look back at my words from last week "I accept whatever the heavens grace us here with"  and know with full conviction that I need to live, breathe and trust my own words. I believe in perfect timing, certain things being out of my control and I trust my dogs whole heartedly. I go back and read my own words a few more times.

As much as I do everything in my power to set them up for success, they—and Mother Nature—know, sense, and hold plans far beyond what I can comprehend. I try my very best to accept this.

It’s been a ‘fun’ week around here needless to say, filled with plenty of ‘activity’ had by all. Having 3 girls with hormones at their all-time peak definitely introduces a whole new level of pack dynamics. Everyone is rough housing with an extra bit of pizzazz and riding everyone is at an all time high. Moments of annoyance are higher, times of being mopy are longer, requests for extra snuggles are greater. None of my dogs are great at boundaries or letting the other one know when enough is enough. Even though I love this trait in them, at times like this I wish they would speak up a bit more. Scruffs get attached onto a bit more often, a bit longer and I need to step in a bit more frequently.

The secondary pen got used quite a bit more this week just for management purposes. Isla was a huge focal point for everyone and I’m not sure who was in love with her more, Tonka or the other girls. It was definitely debatable. Who whined and barked for her more or who tried to climb the fence more frequently to get to her.

We had a textbook breeding week with her, the kind that every breeder hopes and prays for. Even though everyone seems to think that it’s as easy as putting 2 dogs together and they will do their dog thing, it is never this simple. I sit on the phone while watching my own dog’s behavior and console one breeder friend after 2 of her dogs just had failed pregnancies, another one with a reabsorption pregnancy, 1 litter of pups with Guardia and the other with Coccidia. I listen, I support and fully understand the challenges that come with what I do. Trust me, I’ve been through my own challenges with this breeding world that even though taxing and at times difficult beyond measure, I’ve also fallen in love with.

I thank my lucky stars and know I am blessed that I have never had a pregnancy not take or a breeding not followed through with but plenty of my friends in this world indeed have. The un answered destiny of each dog’s path is the hardest as a lot of the time I do not have the answer to the ’why’. I set each of my pairings up 2 yrs. In advance, do everything in my power to increase the odds of success but then I need to step back and trust my dogs. Unfortunately, this process sometimes comes with disappointment not only myself but for future families longing for the same success as I’ve tried to put into place. Pairings always happen though, sometimes they are just a bit delayed.

Tonka thoroughly assessed Neema this week and both parties were not in alignment and we did not have a breeding with these 2.. at least not this time round.

She either did not ovulate due to having a split heat, wasn’t quite ready for her 1^st litter or some other unknown factor was present that I am unaware of. Even though this has never happened here with my dogs, this is not a super uncommon event to have happen. There are so many different variables in play in what I do here it’s impossible for me or even my vet to pin point each one. I fall back on everything that I have put into place, worked so hard to achieve, poured my heart and soul into the trust that I put into my dogs and my program here. I gently guide their way, support their health and happiness, manage their environment, aid in their pairing, encourage their courting and let mother nature play out the way that it’s intended. From there I need to trust my dogs, that they sense what I can’t.

Dogs have an innate sense, a quiet built in wisdom – like they’re tuned into a frequency the rest of us forgot how to hear. They read energy, emotions, intentions of humans and from each other and know when paths shouldn’t be forced. I know that I am given what I am meant to be blessed with, at the perfect time. So, for this cycle, for now, we take Neema out of the mix and let her take a back seat until next fall where we will assess her once again and see where she is at. This will happen probably in Aug. unless she threw a split heat and in that event she’ll cycle around earlier. Complicated! I know! SO looking forward to Neema puppies but the stars need to align and I am all in with this girl!

Leia peaked late in her cycle but that is common for her so I am holding great faith that she will not follow in the footsteps or hormonally for that matter of Neema.

Another ‘lovely’ complication! Tonka is in full working mode and assessing her more than she would like so I am hopeful I have good news of a successful pairing soon for these 2. Leia makes exceptional pups with Tonka and their pups out in the world are doing more than amazing. Their families are head over heels in love with each of them so I am so looking forward to more Leia pups soon.

Have to run to supervise more courting tonight until the stars. We try to support romance around here as much as possible. We are always grateful for vibes and blessings from the heavens. ⭐