Wednesday 29 February 2012

Magic's Progress


Leigh: Magic is taking a rest from blogging for a bit so I'm going to give a little progress report on her behalf! As you can see from the photo she is pretty fed up at times with her growing size. She is eating plenty - no trace of morning sickness - and still goes on walks but only on-lead. Luckily with the weather being so dull it is no loss not to be going for country hikes here.

In dogs, the pregnancy lasts around 9 weeks and for the first 5 weeks there is very little sign externally. Then the nipples start to enlarge and point and the breast tissue swells:


This was Magic a week ago - she is bigger still now but doesn't want her picture taken, needless to say. The development of the puppies is very rapid. 21 days after fertilisation the embryos develop their central nervous system and within a week the brain and spinal cord are formed and all the organs of the body, limbs, head, eyes and face begin to develop. At the stage of pregnancy Magic has now reached the foetuses will have their sexual characteristics formed and their eyelids will have closed. The next couple of weeks or so there will be further development and the pups growing to their full size to be viable at birth. Puppies can be born from day 57 but it is usually between 60-63 days. We will be anxiously waiting by the weekend of Crufts - Magic should be due to give birth the following week!

Our other dogs are aware that something is going on with Magic - much sniffing of her rear end naturally - but how much they know is a mystery :-) Caoimhe has no idea of being gentle around Magic and would accidentally kick her, leap on her or just knock her flying in sheer youthful exuberance. Aoife has become very maternal herself - she stays close to Magic when she can and constantly cleans her - licking her ears inside and out and trying to clean her beard! Poor Magic ends up looking very bedraggled:


Magic may well come back to blog about her feelings on this before too long. Just thought I would give you a bit of background - apologies to the squeamish and probably the boys for too much girl talk here!

12 comments:

  1. Oooo Leigh - we love hearing the update on Magic - and wonder how many pups are in there!!! Poor love - to not really know what's going on with her body....and having a rough little sister!

    So she is due mid-March???? It's just too exciting. If there's one thing we love more than puppies.....that's mini schnauzer ones!!!!!!!!!

    We are so sad that we are so far away as I have the urge to come and give magic a warm hug and kiss. I'm so proud.....does that sound weird??!!

    Love to all - Rubie and her mum xxx

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    1. Thanks - I can understand. I often get the urge to hug some of the dogs on the blogs when I see their pictures and read their stories - including Rubie of course :-) Leigh x

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  2. Awwwe! Magic is just wondering what the heck is happening! She doesn't look like a happy camper! You all must be getting pretty excited! :)

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  3. This is so exciting! I hope you are telling her that she looks great despite her expanding size :)

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  4. Very interesting! It's been a long time since puppies were born around here.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  5. Soon, Magic, soon ! Can't wait and wonder how many little Magics are in there =D

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  6. I wonder if the other dogs can smell a certain chemical emited by the pregnancy, like the ones humans produce when they are. im really curious as to how many little schnauzer are in her little swollen belly. :)

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  7. Oh Magic, try and look excited about it! Oh my goodness I'm excited about your pups from just reading this I bet you all can't wait!

    Slobbers

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  8. Thank you for sharing this wonderful news, Magic!!! We're so excited and can't wait to see your puppies. Take it easy, Magic!

    Momo & Pinot xoxo

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  9. Hi Y'all,

    We'll be here if you need us. You'll be happy when those pups are born!

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  10. Poor Magic, it will be over soon and Aunty Tooki is really looking foward to that special day!

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  11. Sooooo interesting - thanks for the pupdate!
    Stewey

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