A Long Labor But We Have Puppies!

Bella was miserable yesterday. She was in, then out, every few minutes. She was on the sofa, on the floor, on the bed, in the hall, in the bathroom, just couldn't find anywhere to get comfortable. Late yesterday afternoon we swept her cervix to see if that would speed things up. She had a few contractions but far apart. I stayed up with her all night as she wanted to go outside in the storm for a walk. Then she wanted to be a lap dog. I massaged her back, her tummy, and even  gave her a pillow to rest her leg on.

  Finally around 3AM she started having contractions every 15 minutes. She wanted out so I took her back to the goat pen and put her in the stall where she delivered last year. That lasted about an hour. Then she came inside and rested where I had fixed a spot for her to have the puppies. That lasted a few minutes and she managed to dart out the door when William opened it. We searched and found her underneath a pile of lumber. I finally decided if that is where she wanted to have her puppies then leave her be. 30 minutes later she was barking at the back door and William let her in. I was sitting on the sofa when she came running in and jumped up beside me. She laid her head on my lap and looked up with her big brown eyes. I told her she finally realized she wanted her mommy. Before I could get up to help her to the birthing spot. She had a puppy on the sofa! 

Made sure she was breathing good and moved her and mom.

Wasn't be a minute and she was nursing away!

45 minutes later her brother made an entrance.Slowly throughout the day 4 more brothers were added to the family.

 I won't say Bella is done as I thought that an hour ago when she and the puppies took a nap. I cleaned up the birthing area and just got them all settled back down when the 5th little boy popped out.

Right now they are all resting after fresh, clean bedding was fixed for them. (Hopefully last time tonight). I am so ready for a nap but first I must wash up all the labor and delivery mess, put a closed sign on the labor room door and a welcome sign on the nursery. Its going to be a crazy time in my livingroom nursery for a few weeks.
P.S. The little girl already has a home when she is old enough. Her new family are going to call her Snow. Snow will be moving to Lexington, NC in 6 weeks.

Make that 6 boys and a girl. Time to change the bedding again. Guess labor and delivery isn't closed after all. Another update>>>> 7 boys and 1 girl. Wonder if labor/delivery nurses get overtime.

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

  Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!

Today I am introducing you to Jaz at October Farm

 She is so talented!!! If you look through her archives you will see some of her decorating skills. But that is not all! This lady can cook! She should be a chef in the best restaurant in the world. But that is still not all. She not only cooks for her family and sometimes events her daughter hosts, she cooks and donates food to a soup kitchen for the homeless! Jaz doesn't just warm up can or frozen premade foods and breads. She makes everything from scratch and pays for items out of her own pocket. She has guys meeting her at the soup kitchen door anxious to taste what she has prepared for the day. When you don't find her decorating or in the kitchen you will find her in her gardens. She won't be alone because wherever she is you will find Teddy.

He is the baby of the family and loves to be treated as such. I sure hope you will pop over to October Farm for a visit. You won't be disappointed and I know you will enjoy the smells coming outta the kitchen. Jaz will be happy to give you some of her yummy recipes and while you are there ask to see her witch collection. Amazing!

My Book

I have been ask for several years to put the story of Nitro in a book. Well I finally did it! It is written as a children's but is actually a good read for anyone. The story of Nitro before he crosses Rainbow Bridge has a sad ending to the fun and happy adventures of his life here at Hidden Haven. Click on title below to check it out.

IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER

Little Bit's New Home

When we find homes for our puppies we try our best to find the best home possible for each one's personality. Little Bit loves to guard goats but she also loves people, especially children. She is in the perfect home for her and seems to be so happy. She has lots of goats to watch over, people to give her loving attention, and children to play and run with. A big thank you to D Goat Farm for making Little Bit a part of their family. In the picture with all the goats they said that the goats wouldn't have anything to do with Little Bit a week ago when she first arrived. A week later and they seem to have accepted her as their guardian and friend.

Animal House

 Rusty is in a corner pouting because I gave him a bath

 Bella is laying in the hallway where everyone has to step over her. She is due to have her puppies any day so its hard for her to find a place to be comfortable.

Whiskers is on top of the freezer.... because Bella is inside and Tinker will be coming in later since its going to be cold tonight.  The goats have extra straw in all their stalls to snuggle into. The rabbits have extra bedding in their houses and the baby chicks and their moms have heat lamps and extra straw. The ducks and chickens seem to want to stay out in the cold instead of going in their roosting houses. Well a few seem to have decided to go into the warmth. The stove has the house nice and toasty. I have a cup of hot tea and a ebook calling my name. If I can find a place on the sofa as Bella just came in the livingroom

  and took it over I will read for a little while. Tinker finally made it in for the night. She thinks she should be a lap dog.

What a boring life it would be around here without the animals. Have a blessed night.

Gone To The Dogs

Buck in front and Little Bit. They are only 9 months old and as big as their daddy

Saturday was the Flock Swap and we did really well. Sold 7 baby bunnies, 12 dozen eggs, and our last 2 puppies of Tinkers. They are 9 months old and well trained with the goats. Little Bit, the girl went to D Goat Farms and from the pics on their facebook she is in heaven. They have 30 goats and as well as children who enjoy playing with her. Buck on the other hand went to a small goat farm that we thought would be perfect for him. He loved the family, especially the grandchildren but hated being away from Hidden Haven. Whenever they put him in with their goats he would attack them and their pig. They put him in a pen by himself and he broke the gate and got out. He wanted to stay inside with them and he has never been a inside dog. In fact he had never been outside the goat pens. Well we got the call this afternoon and William went and picked him up. He is home and back in the goat pen where he thinks he belongs. Don't know what we will do with him. He is such a good guardian dog for our herd. Doesn't bother the chickens and at the Flock Swap sat right beside the bunny cage and never bothered them at all. We already have Falcor so don't need another male dog and we have Tinker and Bella (who is due to have puppies any day). So Buck is in the goat pen. Bella is inside waiting to go in labor. Tinker is inside as she got her collar hooked on something last night and couldn't move to her doghouse and got chilled. She is feeling lots better but is pushing getting spoiled a little too much. Of course wherever Tinker is Tramp has to be so he is inside laying next to her. If I make him go outside he stands at the door and barks. Rusty has no idea why he has to share me and is sleeping under the diningroom table. Whiskers the cat decided it was safer to sleep on top of the fridge away from all the dogs. Me, I am getting my stretching exercises by stepping over 4 dogs every time I need to move. I can only imagine the fun when we add Bella's puppies to this circus. Guess I better take them all outside for potty breaks before I go to bed. Maybe I should change Hidden Haven Homestead to Hidden Haven Dog Pound. Have a blessed week everyone!

Goodbye Sweet Leontien

This past fall I posted in Wonderful Blog Neighbors about leaves for Leontien. This sweet,wonderful, kind lady lost her battle to cancer. Blog neighborhood will not be the same

Leontien Oostdijck