I Did It My Way Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 511

I know I’m a bit obsessed with my dog, Juno, and for that, I apologize, but it’s been a tough, few, days as we all anxiously awaited the arrival of her puppies. I have learned a lot more about female dog fertility than I ever wanted to know, but it was truly a fascinating journey.

Today, dog breeding has become a precise science and gestation is 63 days, so we knew that the puppies had to be born on or before October 31.  I learned that all momma dogs will begin nesting, or ferociously digging, approximately 2 weeks prior to the birth. They will begin to pant, pace and act restless and refuse food for the last 3-4 days. We were on high alert, prepared for the signs to appear, and yet, nothing happened. We were panicky and nervous when we dropped her off last Saturday at the breeder to acclimate to the surroundings.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday came and went, no symptoms and no digging and even the breeder was getting a bit nervous. Finally, at 2 am, Tuesday, her labor began, and the first pup was born at 6:50 am. The proud grandparents were called, and we were assured that every hour another puppy would emerge but much to everyone’s surprise, the 6 puppies came in rapid succession and all 6 were born within two hours.

Juno decided to do her own thing, in her own time, and in her own way. She hadn’t read the manual or instruction booklet on how to give birth. She followed none of the well documented symptoms that ALL dogs are supposed to adhere to. No, Juno was being, well, Juno. And in the end, all is well, the puppies are all healthy, and nature has kicked in and Juno is a great mom so far.

How many of you leave the established norms behind and create new and innovative new norms and trends never seen before? Who gets off the main road and travels the unexplored side roads and still arrives at the correct destination? Life needs a little spice and unexpected twists, and happy surprises. We can achieve the set goal, but part of the fun is in having made the journey, step by step, in our own, creative way. Juno did!

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