No means No (definitely) !!!

So, as predicted, all my decisions are made for me. Tap will absolutely NOT stand today and Kap ate his breakfast. It was a bit of a nightmare for poor Tap on our hike today, as I took Kap too, and she spent the 2 hours fending him off. Kap was a "spit-sicle" when he got home, and was promptly put out in the barn with Blaze. Tap thanks me.

So Tap's due date is March 27th. Keep your fingers crossed for a nice big, healthy litter!

No means No?

So yesterday I drove back to Lynn's for another go with Tap, but Chip just didn't seem as keen. Tap would intermittently flag and stand, then sit and growl. So, after an hour in the cold, we figured that was it, she was just past. So, I came home...To Kap who is VERY keen. Tap would stand for him I am sure, so off to the old basement he goes, where he refused his dinner and has been howling for the past 2 hours. He doesn't even recognize me when I call him, he just has that panting, glassy look.

So now I am worried I took her too early...Or were the two 10 minute ties enough...Should I allow Kap his party and then DNA test the litter. Kap and Tap would make great companions and agility dogs for sure, but I am just not sure about the work (herding), he being such a total outcross and all (and dyslexic and Mr. Slice O matic...).

Hopefully, by the time I have slept on it...She will be out and that will be that.

My husband tells me I worry for nothing. After all, Jess was bred on day 14 with a straw full of sparse and elderly swimmers and had 4 pups. Pat was bred in the back of a van in a Wal Mart parking lot once, tied for 10 minutes and had 7 pups...Oh yeah, I forget that 6 DAYS LATER she stood for Glen again and tied for 20 minutes. The little floozy.

What to do, what to do...?

Another 10 minutes

Date #3 tomorrow! Sorry no (explicit) photos :)

A Tie for Tap

As Kap needed to be locked away last night, I figured I'd better get Tap a date. I arrived at Lynn's and met Chip again. He greeted me like I was an old friend. He really is a sweet and happy guy! I had forgotten how small he is! Small and sqaure and compact. We'll see what Tap's "Giant" genes do, though...

Anyways, after a (brief) introduction to Tap, well...She was ready. (Kap is such a good judge). Tap and Chip had a 10 minute tie today and have a second date tomorrow night. Chip is young and not overused, so he should have no troubles "replenishing" his stock!

Fingers crossed for a nice big litter at the end of March!

Tap and Spur, sitting in the tree...

Naw, just kidding!

Anyways, Spur is neutered. However, tonight during bedtime potty, Tap presented her rear to Spur. Spur is always obliging (neutered or not, those instincts kick right in!). Then Tap twirled around and chewed on his face a bit. She is always very gentle, reminding me of nibbling on a cob of corn.

Even Boomer is getting frisky. He totters about thinking he's hot stuff, and certainly doesn't mind her little bites (dirty old man). Boomer is also neutered, and pushing 15 years old, so not a whole lot of management needed there.

I think I have several more days yet before I have to take her to Lynn's for her rendezvous with Chip. Our Kap is keen on her for about 2 seconds, then looses interest, and he generally has been a VERY good guide in the past!

Tap the Tease

After waiting in anticipation, Tap is now in season and will (hopefully) bred to Lynn Deschambeault's Imp. Chip within the next 10-14 days! Tap has been on a "Nutrition Increase" diet the last few weeks to stimulate her hormones. She was in peak athletic condition during the summer and fall, which means she might have been a little on the thin side. Her pre breeding vet check and blood work all came back A+. Now we do our fertility dances!