Day Seven - Some Sad News

Well it wasn't the news I was expecting and hoping for today.  We went off for Emmi's first progesterone test and ultrasound this morning. The ultrasound was to double check that her uterus is all healthy before going ahead with the AI, particularly given she is a bit older, at almost six years of age.

Sadly, it showed that there is some thickening of the uterine wall and some cyst development, indications of a mild level of cystic endometrial hyperplasis, not unusual in older girls.  Although not remotely severe, Dr Mason believed we would be safest not going ahead this season, and risking the loss of a litter, given how precious Ressi's semen in.  Instead, he advised treating her, with the aim of getting her ready for her next season.

So sadly, there still won't be Emmi x Ressi babies for a little while to come, which has left me rather depressed today.  But as Dr Mason said, better to be a little disappointed now and still have a good chance than a lot disappointed in a couple of months time.

Once Emmi has completed her season this time around we will commence her treatment plan.  I did consider deleting this blog and starting again down the track, but in the end, I guess this is all part of the process.  So I will keep it going - although news won't be all that frequent for a while.

Day Six - The DNA Stuff

I remembered to order a DNA kit today so it is here in time for the insemination date.  Generally I have all of my dogs DNA profiled already, so it is not something I need to think about.  But with Ressi on the other side of the ocean, things are a little more complicated.

Luckily they will profile from an empty straw once the insemination has taken place, so the pups can all have their parentage checks done as per normal.  That's the kind of thing I am likely to remember after the fact, and be kicking myself over!  So I'm glad I remembered in time.

I wonder what our poor Australian Post staff members would think if they knew what they were carrying around in that envelope?! :-)

Day Five - Moved and Ready

I didn't post last night, because we were busy moving!  Trying to work out what we will all need for a three week period is quite the challenge - and my car was full to overflowing.

But Emmi, Louis and I are now settled in to my parent's place.  Kulta was very very happy with our arrival.  I think he thought I was bringing him an early birthday present!  Louis thought otherwise!  I haven't had the heart to tell them yet that they are both going to be disappointed.

The crates are all set up ready, but it is still too early to need to separate anyone when we are home to supervise.  After Kulta's initial excitement he has just settled in to his usual sleep ..... "wake me up when it is time."

As for Emmi, I think she has decided that she is already pregnant.  Either that or she thinks she needs some extra fat reserves.  She's always wanting food at the best of times, but there is certainly an edge at the moment.

Day Three - A Reprieve

Today was Emmi's last outing before the door closes on her extra-curricular activities, with us heading off to a dog show for the day.

Emmi wasn't entered.  If she had come in season on time, she would be peaking right around now, and I'm personally not to keen on showing my girls during their seasons at any other time other than the very beginning.  So she sat ringside while Louis and Taija went into the ring - with a rather dirty look directed my way when she realised they seemed to be getting more treats than her.  She made up for it later, though, hunting down any poor unfortunate who looked to have their hand in their pocket, and putting on her very special flirting language!

Louis was Best in Group today, so it was a pretty special day for us.  He seemed a bit distracted in the ring today, though, not his usual self.  And if the extra sniffing is anything to go by, Emmi is becoming more and more interesting each day.

Day Two - Getting Organised

I spoke to our reproduction vet today, to make Emmi's first appointment and to prepare both them and me.  We will be going in next Wednesday morning for what will be the first of a number of progesterone tests.  Emmi hates this bit, and so I don't think the next few weeks are going to be too good at convincing her that vets are nice places to visit!

Our repro vet is Dr Stuart Mason at Monash Veterinary Clinic, here in Melbourne.  I love how he is so calm and unflappable, and seems to find much to laugh at in my own anxieties!

Right now it is the lull before the storm.  Emmi traditionally doesn't have very "obvious" seasons, so if I hadn't been so observant the last couple of days, you wouldn't even know she was in.  Although her daughter Taija is visiting for the weekend, and where normally Emmi would have put her in her place within two seconds of her arrival, there was none of that tonight.  Perhaps she is feeling a little more mellow?

Day One - The Adventure Begins!

I thought I would start with the big announcement - EMMI IS IN SEASON! 



Ch Lumiturpa Emmi (Imp Fnl)



Of course, that is good news, and she only made me wait 10 days longer this time, rather than her usual 30.  But boy oh boy I am really not looking forward to the next three weeks.  I do hate it when she is in and we are juggling her and the boys.  Everyone is miserable (particularly the humans!), and the stress levels have us all reaching for the pain-killers on a frequent basis.



Last time was an exercise in bliss.  Between my parent's house and mine, we had the boys in one and Emmi in the other with Schatje for company.  No stress, no confinement!  With me thinking "Wow, this is what people who don't have males must experience when their girls are in! This is EASY!"

Not so this time around.  Emmi's repro vet is on the other side of town, and so over the next few days we will all move in with Mum and Dad for a couple of weeks.

Sorry Kulta!  Sorry Louis!  And there isn't even any fun in it for you this time.

Of course, the reason we need to be near her vet .......... is this time we are planning her last litter .......... and FINALLY Emmi x Ressi pups will hopefully be a reality.

This is potential Dad ......

Fin Ch & Fin Working Trial Ch Lecibsin Kultakuono

The handsome Ressi lives with Taina and Ari in Peikkovuoren Kennels in Finland.  I visited in 2007, enjoying a lovely few days and being very warmly welcomed .... and of course meeting Ressi in the flesh (which seemed to involve a fair bit of laughing at his antics!).  Frozen semen from him followed a little while later, and we have just been waiting for the right time.

So finally ..... those long ago plans start to become a little closer to reality.

Just to get through the next few weeks!