February 19, 2011

Post date: Feb 19, 2011 8:33:21 PM

It's been a busy week. Frieda had her puppies last Saturday 2/12. She has 7 and is doing great with all of them. Frances was due on 2/15 but decided not to wait any longer and started with her puppies Sunday night 2/13. Everything was rolling along really well.......and then stopped. After several hours with no progress, I decided a trip to the vet was in order. We arrived about 1 a.m. and fortunately Dr. Olsen was able to reach and remove the puppy that was blocking the way thereby averting the need for a C-section. He didn't think, but wasn't sure, if there were any more puppies so we headed back home. Shortly after arriving home, Frances delivered another very alive, very healthy puppy. Satisfied that certainly that was the last one, I went to bed about 2:30 a.m. To my surprise when I went out in the morning, she had delivered one more puppy. So after all that, she has 6 puppies -- 5 boys and 1 girl.

Thursday the temperature got up to 50 degrees. What a joy to feel that warm air! I have one out of four beehives that made it through the winter. Not very good percentage, but better than none. I was able to feed them Thursday and hope that I can keep them alive till spring arrives to stay.

Tax work done, seeds ordered, kennel records updated, check. Soon it will be time for apple tree pruning and painting bee equipment. I think I'm ready to start the new season. Winter storm watch for tonight and tomorrow. I so hoped we were through with that. It's still February in North Iowa, so not to be.