8 Charlie and Jesse Jesse was selected as the sire for Xena's first litter by his clean movement, compact body, working pedigree, but most of all for his solid TEMPERAMENT.
9 The journey is about to begin! Xena and T. prepare for a road trip out to the farm so Xena can be mated with Jesse.
10 Xena contemplates her fate. There is no question in my mind that the Princess is fully aware of the purpose for today's journey.
11 Xena sight seeing. Rather than listening to her favorite country channel, Xena finds a certain comfort in good ol' rock-n-roll as we make the hour long ride out to the farm.
12 Charlie, Theresa & Xena Walking to the barn to go make some rat terriers! Xena is about to meet her Destiny - as that of a mother, brood bitch, and as the foundation RatpiT kennels rat terriers!
13 "CCH" Xena: Terrier Princess XTP at 33 months, 16" tall x 16" long, 17 pounds fit. Xena is a UKC champion, earning her champion title by going Best of Breed in 5 out of 6 shows. Those wins sound impressive, but beware of fancy titles and empty titles! While Xena is definitely show quality and champion quality, Xena only beat 2 other dogs to earn the title! Rat terriers are not plentiful in the local shows in our area, and so its easy for us to earn a CH degree. (But please do not tell the Princess that she sports a false crown!)
14 Xena 21 days pregnant/28 days We have fattened Xena up to 21.5 pounds to prepare for her pregnancy. At 21 days the embryos have begun to implant in the uterus. Xena weighed 21.5 one week later, so we have used the same picture for day 21 and day 28.
15 Xena 35 days pregnant. Xena has started to gain weight - and is 23 pounds. We have dubbed the sparks of life growing in her belly the "Expanding Consciousnesses" or the "EC's". With so much thought going into this litter, how could those growing and expanding pups NOT be aware of their Destiny?! (Sometimes you just have to bear with my strange brand of humour, OK?)
16 42days pregnant Xena at aprox 24 pounds
17 53 days pregnant And weighing in at 25.5 pounds
18 57days pregnant And the weight is still 25.5. After the 56th day of pregnancy pups can be expected at any time!
19 Out out!! Xena has had enough of this pregnancy and is ready to have her old shape back. Her belly has dropped - the EC's are moving back in her body to prepare for total expansion: birth!
20 Whelping draws closer Conan and Xena check out the deluxe whelping tub. It has 4" padding on the bottom with a crib bumper to pad the sides.
21 Whelping tub, take 2! Sonja, Xena and Goliath all try out the future nesting place for the "EC's".
22 Xena excavates a nest. The Princess desires both an indoors AND outdoors nest! Here Xena excavates a burrow in the digging area of the dog yard.
23 Xena makes her exit. Xena ceases her excavation for the day.
24 Day in the sun. Its May 19, and Xena is due any time now. Here she lies on her rug in the sun - can you see how big she has gotten?
25 Xena at rest. Xena tries to find a comfortable position - an impossible feat!
26 Nest thief!! Ruby finds that Xena's nest is the perfect size for a pitbull!
27 Excuse me?! Xena returns to her den to find that it has been taken over by Ruby. What's a rat to do?
28 Avoidance! Ruby determines that if Xena cannot see her that there is no issue! The point becomes moot as the dogs are called inside where the long wait for "D-Day" continues. (Xena whelped on 5/20 - the following day after these pix.)
