The Final Countdown: We wait for Noni’s 'Littles'

We are officially in the final stretch of this pregnancy, and the nursery energy is starting to whirl with abundance.

The pace around here is very deliberate. Birthing supplies get checked and double checked, blankets and towels get washed, folded and organized and everything gets set up exactly as it should for the smoothest arrival possible. 

The whelping area is coming together beautifully. Panels went up this week, the whelping box got constructed and the 'littles' toys that will eventually entertain a room full of curious wee babes are being hung and arranged for the extrodinary weeks ahead. 

The nighttime lanterns are charged and ready to go because births have a funny habit of happening when the rest of the house would really prefer to be sleeping. There is something about 2 a.m. that seems to be particularly appealing to birthing pups.  

Mama Noni continues to be doted on, naturally. She has been making her rounds, inspecting her nursery and sniffing around her whelping box. After a thorough investigation, she gave us the unmistakable Noni smile of approval, which I am choosing to interpret as an official inspection certificate.

For quite a while, Noni kept us guessing. Her belly bump was surprisingly slow to make an appearance, and I kept wondering when those puppies were finally going to make themselves known. I saw the evidence on the ultrasound images of a positive pregnancy but was very unsure of there was a full litter or not. 

Well...

They have arrived at the "oh my goodness, there is definitely a full litter in there" stage.

She absolutely blew up this week.

Ssshhh... not too loud.

She is still comfortable, a bit slower yes, resting more but always happy and smiling, and positively glowing. I tell her that constantly, although I'm not entirely sure she believes me anymore. 

The ultrasound images gave us our first glimpse of those little lives growing inside her, and now we can actually feel them moving beneath our hands. Tiny stretches, little flutters, and those unmistakable puppy movements that make you stop whatever you're doing for a moment just to feel them again.

It never gets old.

The Final Week

I'll begin taking Noni's temperature around the middle of the week so we can monitor for some of the early changes that can accompany the approach of labor. Her due date is Saturday, so now we watch, wait, and let Noni tell us when she's ready.

By next Sunday's blog, we may have a whole new group of little faces to introduce.

If you don't hear from me at all next week...

you'll know exactly where I am!

Probably sitting beside.. or in a whelping box.

Probably drinking coffee.

Probably very tired.

Surrounded by puppies.

With a matching smile from ear to ear of course. 

The rest of the crew has done their best to make the most of the week despite the heavy smoke from the fires throughout the area.

It has been a difficult stretch for so many people, families, animals, and communities. My heart goes out to everyone who has been directly involved or affected by the fires, whether through evacuation, property loss, poor air quality, or simply the stress of watching conditions unfold.

I know many of you made the decision to stay home rather than attend playdates, spend extended time outdoors, or participate in your usual activities while the air quality was poor. Those aren't always easy decisions when you have happy eager dogs who are accustomed to getting out and doing things, but protecting their health comes first. I'm grateful that, despite the challenging conditions, everyone here is safe and tucked in close. There will be plenty of time for outdoor adventures when the air clears.

The coming week is going to be filled with that particular kind of anticipation that makes it difficult to think about much else.

There will be plenty of checking on mama Noni.

Plenty of watching her behavior.

Plenty of wondering if this is the day.

And, probably quite a bit of wondering whether if she is actually resting peacefully throughout the night or quietly planning to have puppies at 3:17 in the morning.

But underneath all of that anticipation is something I never take for granted.

Soon, there will be tiny squeaks and little squawks coming from the nursery again.

Soon, little squishy squashies will be here, and the careful preparation, planning, health monitoring, and waiting will turn into the very real work of raising a litter.

And then, before we know it, these tiny puppies will be growing, learning, developing their personalities, and preparing for the families who have been waiting for them.

The families on Noni's list are about to have their lives changed in some pretty incredible ways.

A puppy doesn't simply become another member of the household. They become part of the daily rhythm — the muddy paw prints, the early mornings, the ridiculous puppy antics, the companionship, the adventures, and eventually the quiet presence of a dog who somehow seems to know exactly when you need them beside you.

That part is still a little way off.

For now, they are simply little heartbeats, tiny movements beneath Noni's belly, and a nursery waiting for them.

We are ready.

Noni is ready.

And the countdown is officially on.

Come on, LITTLES. We're ready to meet you!