...or so I thought.
OK...ok...
then factor in Chloe's history.
At the age of three, she did not get pregnant on the first attempt. In fact she showed very little interest in her chosen suitor.
At the age of four she was artificially inseminated which did result in a small litter of three beautiful golden retriever puppies. (Please visit my blog again next week because those three puppies are having a birthday and I will have an update on how they are doing now)
So, at the age of five we sent Chloe off to the breeder Snowypaws and wait to hear if she is playing with her chosen mate or giving him the cold shoulder. We do get word that she has "tied" successfully...at least once...but the studs interest in her quickly diminishes and no further frolicking ensues.
About a week later Chloe returns home and we keep in mind the possibility that she could be pregnant, however, as the weeks progress none of the telltale signs of pregnancy are visible and we begin to assume that the one tie Chloe did successfully achieve was not enough to fill her belly up with a Christmas litter.
We begin to make plans to drive to Florida for Christmas. We are very fortunate to have some relatives that we like living there, and they have welcomed us all, including the dogs for our Christmas vacation. Although we have made several trips to Florida with Chloe before, this will be our first with both Chloe and her daughter Violet. We make some reservations to put both dogs in a doggy daycare facility for a day so that we can visit a Disney park while we are in Florida. The daycare facility requires proof of a kennel cough vaccine, so I begin to make vet appointments to get this taken care of. I might add, all of these plans are very last minute for us, less then a week away from departure date...and something tells me to take a closer look at Chloebutt...sure enough...some of those telltale signs have now begun to show up...could Chloebutt be carrying around a few jingle bells in that little belly of hers? My husband makes a guess. He guesses that Chloe has one puppy in her belly...just enough to show some signs of pregnancy.
Again, let me reiterate. All this is happening just days before our 28 hour drive to Naples Florida. Rushell, our breeder secures a vet visit for Chloe within hours, and yes it is confirmed...Chloe has one single, soon-to-be giant jingle bell in her belly.
Let's get something out on the table first of all. Chloe does not like to ride in a vehicle. Not one single bit...so although we all agree we will miss her being with us over the Christmas holiday...we also agree that we will not miss her constant 28 hour panting on each end of the trip.
While we are gone we are in constant contact with Rushell. No Christmas puppy...and according to the vet he thinks it's more likely to be a New Years baby. We return from Florida in time for me to receive a message that Chloe has been taken to the vet where she will deliver her puppy by C-section. We get word that she has been in labor most of the night and nothing is progressing. We know that there is great possibility that the only way for this puppy to survive is to be born by C-section. All goes very well.
Mom Chloe does great and we have a New Year's Eve baby! :)
Aside from being a Mom and a wife, I love being a photographer.
With the blessings of Rushell and Snowypaw I was able to photograph Chloe and her puppy every week during their time together. In addition to photographing dogs...Rushell has a house full of beautiful children...a photographers playground really...
There is one question left. Many of you have asked me if we will breed Chloe again. Technically our "obligation" to Snowypaw has been fulfilled and we can retire our beautiful Chloe if we wish...funny thing is...Chloe's puppies are truly wonderful, one-of-a-kind little miracles...and when I say they are "limited editions" that really is no understatement. Chloe has given birth to only four little ones...and she is a role model of a mother.
At this time I am not sure what her future holds.
The following photos are in the order that they were taken, beginning within hours of the puppy being born, ending with him going home with Marty and Becky, his forever family. Last I knew they planned to name him Cooper, but once they met him, other names were coming to mind. He is one very special love bug that is for sure, and he definitely made an impression on Rushell's young family and on me...his grandma :)
