Litter Xanthy (Berlin From Bobbers Love Of Beauty) and Dembe (Reata's Vector Space) and/or Robbie (Stairway To Heaven Take That)
All three have been tested and are free of everything.
It is going to be an exciting time again, but we hope everything goes well!!
Sunday, May 17, 2026, Day 51
Xanthy slept peacefully. She didn't feel much like going for a walk this morning. She just waddled along. I have already shaved her belly a bit, making the nipples clearly visible. She has enormous nipples. I think she is developing enough milk again. I will clean the nipples on day 56.
You can feel Xanthy's spinal cord quite a bit, so I increased the amount of kibble this morning. She is really a bit too thin.
She also wanted to lie down comfortably by herself. Not with the other dogs, whereas normally Xanthy always wants to be in the company of others. That way she has peace.
She doesn't like lying on her side. She prefers lying flat on her belly.
She did lie on her side for a moment, so I could immediately take advantage of the moment to feel the puppies moving again.
Saturday, May 16, 2026, Day 50
We arrived home at 7:00 PM. The dogs were happy to see Richard and me again. Xanthy was so happy too. I think her belly has increased significantly in size. She is indeed a lot calmer.
She waddles quite a bit when she is out walking. She has set her pace to a shuffle. She is eating well and is still hungry.
In the evening, I sat down with her for a moment, and as I placed my hand on her belly, I immediately felt life. Little kicks were palpable. Isn't it wonderful to come home and immediately feel new life in your girl?
Friday, May 15, 2026, Day 49
Joey and Leanne have been with Xanthy for almost a week now, because we are on vacation for a week. She is doing very well.
She doesn't mind that we aren't there. She has found a replacement for me in Leanne. She is getting more kibble again.
Xanthy seeks out Joey and Leanne a lot. She likes being near them. At times she seeks her peace and lies down at a distance, but still close to Joey and Leanne. She sometimes walks a bit slower. Occasionally she seems to want to play with the others, but this is very short-lived and they regularly "hold her back" to maintain her peace. Otherwise, she lies down a lot.
Thursday, May 7, 2026. Day 41
Xanthy is doing well. She is gaining weight nicely. She is still hungry, but the kibble has been increased again. She is now also being fed 4 times a day. She needs a little time to get used to that.
Otherwise, she is very affectionate and she can look at you with those sweet, soft eyes. During walks, she walks slower, but very relaxed.
She finds playing with the others too hectic and comes back inside very quickly. She also takes her rests much more.
Richard and I are going on vacation for a week on Friday night. We are taking 3 dogs with us so that she gets more rest; Joey and Leanne will take good care of her. In any case, they have a list that will help them.
It will be fine. They will certainly keep me well informed.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, Day 36
Xanthy is growing well. She has already gained some weight. She is also receiving more food and is on puppy food. She eats the kibble very quickly. She is really hungry. She now also gets a portion of kibble three times a day.
Furthermore, she is really taking her rest. She withdraws when the others are playing wildly with each other. She then goes inside or lies down out of their way. Very occasionally she pees in the house. The pups are probably pressing on her bladder. She is also being taken out much more often now.
She also seeks me out a lot and looks at me with her sweet, loyal little eyes. She radiates pure softness.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Today is the day. At 10:30 AM we have the appointment for the ultrasound. At home, I first shaved her belly a bit myself. She has already gained some weight. After that, Mike and I left for Dieren.
Xanthy climbed onto the examination table herself at the vet's, and we saw right away that she was pregnant. The vet wanted to try to count them, but Xanthy didn't really stay still. This made it a bit more difficult for the vet. She counted 7 very carefully.
We have already made an appointment for an X-ray on her 55th day.
Once on the bus, I quickly sent Richard a text message to let him know Xanthy is pregnant and then called Nelleke. Fortunately, they were happy too.
Afterwards, we bought a cake and celebrated together. I immediately ordered puppy kibble for her so that she gets a diet richer in protein.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
We made an appointment for an ultrasound on Friday, April 24. I suspect it was successful, because her nipples are really getting bigger. She is also quite affectionate and much calmer during walks. Normally she might pull on the leash sometimes, but she actually doesn't do that anymore.
Additionally, quite thick mucus is coming out of her vulva. Nelleke also asks every now and then how Xanthy is doing.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
After sleeping well, we drove back to Sjaak and Nelleke. Richard came along this time too. Once there, we first had a nice cup of coffee and relaxed, after which the duo mating of Dembe and Robbie took place.
Now we just have to wait and hope that it was successful.
Friday, March 27, 2026
At 8:45 a.m. we went to Dieren to have blood drawn again for the progesterone test.
Once we were home, we received the results very quickly. The time had come; she could be mated that very day. We called Sjaak and Nelleke and then drove to their place.
First we had a quick coffee, and then the mating. Xanthy doesn't like it at all and makes it clear by growling. She did keep her tail neatly to the side, though, and the mating was a done deal. Satisfied, we drove home and agreed to do the same thing again the next day.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Today we had to be at the Dieren veterinary clinic at 3:30 PM for a blood draw. A good hour later, we had the results. The progesterone had risen, but it wasn't quite time to mate yet. We then made an appointment for Friday morning, March 27.
This let us know that we could have her mated, because then we could simply go on vacation without stress. Xanthy will stay at home along with some other Bobtails. Our son Joey and Leanne will come here to look after her as well.
Monday, March 23, 2026
The first appointment for the progesterone test. We went to the Veterinary Clinic in Dieren at 9:00 AM, where blood was drawn for the progesterone test.
We received the results in the afternoon, and she was still early in her heat. An appointment was made to have another blood draw on Wednesday, March 25.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Xanthy is doing well; she is still very early in her heat. Our own male dog, Xavi, shows absolutely no interest in her.
Just to be sure, I picked up the phone and called Sjaak and Nelleke Meijer. A few weeks ago, I had spoken to Sjaak about Dembe and Robbie. We also discussed then that a dual mating with two different male dogs is actually very interesting. Especially because you are immediately dealing with different genes. The advantage of this is that you immediately have genetic diversity and therefore two different bloodlines. It is always a bit nerve-wracking to see if it works out, because in practice, it is still quite common for all the puppies to descend from one and the same father.
On the phone, I mentioned that Xanthy was in heat and that I really wanted to use Dembe and Robbie to breed her.
Sjaak and Nelleke agreed and were also very enthusiastic about it. From that moment on, we agreed that I would keep them updated.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Today was the day; Xanthy has come into heat. It remains to be seen whether we will let her be bred.
We are actually going on vacation, and we don't want her to give birth while we are away. So it depends on when she is ready to be bred, so that we can calculate whether it is responsible.