Morning. Today:

Right now Kit is eating chicken stew that has had the root crops removed from the stew, some apple chunks added, sauteed in the middle eastern seasoned turkey pan and then boiled with pumpkin peanut soup leftovers and water added. Oh, also part of a turkey kabob of her own. Funny.

Last night she ate a huge bowl of this concoction and then a couple of hours later ate big serving of the stew (beef that shredded during cooking with carrot, celery, potato and mushroom) that I didn't finish for dinner, plus a second helping of the beef laced with vegetable bits and some stock. I am amazed at Kit's continued appetite. Of course, she isn't interested in eating anything that isn't fairly deluxe or novel ...

Kit has just reached fullness and is breathing deeply and laying next to her bowl.

Here is a photo of the magic moment.

You can see why I think this will be the best whelping place. The fact that during her entire pregnancy, Kit has been eating in here with me (& with the door closed on the slavering hordes) will probably make her feel that this is out special, private place and make her feel safe and protected for her birthing process. In addition, this is a tiny, narrow room, not suitable for anything more than a computer room or conversion to a walk-in closet, but advertised--when we were buying our 1889, wood frame house--as a "bedroom." Perhaps now that Kit will be using it as a whelping room, the description of it as a "bedroom" will become not entirely inaccurate. The smallness of the room and the medium green walls allow me to imagine Kit seeing this tiny room as a kind of cave for nesting. Of course, her preferred nesting spot is likely to be under my Grandfather's enormous, 1940s, wood desk: completely oversized for this space, but probably just right for a dog wanting to find a nice, cozy, den to nest in.

Needless to say, I will be preparing the under-desk space for whelping--in addition to the formal whelping box sitting next to it--in case Kit is determined to bring pups into the world under the desk.

As you no doubt know only too well, I am easy prey for Kit's determined plans ...

Evening. Today:

Kit's whelping box and area are all set up and she is eating a repeat of the Middle Eastern spiced turkey kabob with chicken and root crop stew. David was so touched by Kit's love of his turkey creation that he made it again tonight so she could have some more.

I should say at this point that normally Kit--like the vast majority of dogs--loves quality dry kibble with a passion that suggests that she thinks she is eating a gourmet meal. It's only when she doesn't feel well or is pregnant that Kit becomes a food critic and connoisseur. I fully expect that after she has the pups for awhile, Kit will return to a dry kibble with occasional treat lifestyle.

The vet appointment and progesterone testing:

The vet said that Kit looked great and is having good milk production. She predicted a Saturday birth based on the exam. Later, the clinic called with the progesterone reading. It is 12.20, so that means that we may be further off than Saturday. When the progesterone is 5 or under, you can be pretty sure that birth is coming within 24-48 hours.

Funny how the progesterone reading agrees with what I thought about Kit's lack of readiness based on how she's acting and how much she's eating.

So, when will the pups arrive? Who can say? Predictions anyone?