Iida the terrier's maternity diary

[Finsky]

Thank you for the kind words
Last few days OH has been working hard to dismantle our aviary and get rid of it from the garden to make more room for all the dogs to run around. And being honest, looking after birds is extra work that is not absolutely necessary...these two youngsters of ours are going to keep us busy for sure.
The big girls puppyhood did started big garden 'make over' couple of years back and although I thought last summer that I could start claiming it back from all the digging....it seems that I have another year of 'soil turnovers' to look forward to before things start settling again
We've just had mountain of pallets delivered that will help to build fortress to keep terriers inside the allotment boundaries. I've lost a count how many times we've 'terrier proofed' the piece of land that we have at back of our garden, but because of all these lock down restrictions...it is even more important that we maximise the outdoor space that we have. It would be so nice to able to spend hours outdoors with dogs running around and do my gardening without worry that they take a trip to 'inspect' any neighbourhood chickens....or 'play' with cats/foxes etc Iida particularly is a 'Houdini' and has proven to be very adventure loving and independent free roaming soul, she gets bored so easily. At least Eva is more of 'gardener's friend' and she stays put. Time will tell what sort of 'gardeners' pups these 2 will turn out to be, though I do have my suspicion about them already ...

 

[Flobo]

So, just wondering... Are you keeping both the little ones now???

 

[Finsky]

So, just wondering... Are you keeping both the little ones now???

Oh yes...you sharp eyes, you
As it happened...that 'last' pup had its jabs and she was due to be collected...but the people who were going to take her had change of heart.
4 weeks of waiting for the pup....2-3 times a week updates and chat about the pup and photos for the family to see...and all of the sudden 'nope....sooooorry'
Funnily enough, just previous day, when OH was giving the pups their 'good night hugs and kisses' he said 'oh, can't we keep her?' And then following morning I got the message of their refusal... I think fate gave her answer! My honest 'what terriers get ups to' photos must have scared them away......their loss.
Aila is LOVELY...and OH has really bonded with her, she is his 'apple of the eye'...so now we've got pups, one for each of us....a full set of terriers
And that also solved another thing we have had discussions about....should I wait that Ella is about 1 year old and then look for a Parson's Russell (we've had one before and I always wanted to repeat the experience) OR to wait 2 years and have a pup from Ella to complete the pack.
This is going to be HUGE challenge..as if having to bring up one terrier pup is not enough ...but 2 !? I must be absolutely mental Sure I will have to draw up anything and everything I have learned from from bringing up Iida and Eva, but it is interesting and fun to experience the differences and find ways of handling multiple pups.

 

[JudyN]

Two puppies for the price of one - what fun you will have!

 

[Flobo]

Oh yes...you sharp eyes, you

Oh how lovely!! Really excited and happy for you... it was destiny!!

 

[Finsky]

Two puppies for the price of one - what fun you will have!

Oh indeed...fun fun fun It is so lovely to see the world again through these two youngsters. Everything with them is new experiences. Today we decided to go to local woods for a little first stroll. It was lovely....winter sun shine...birds singing and nearby stream making watery noises. At first they were bit hesitant going forward..even with their mum and Auntie Eva as encouragement leading on front they didn't feel brave enough, so I carried them for a while so they could take it in their new surroundings. And on the second try they could not go fast enough and I realized I should have had their harnesses on rather than collars. So that they did not strangle themselves it was easier to let them off leads and they were happy to stroll along following the older ones....success! Few minutes of 'free run' and then I picked them up again and we headed back home. On the return to home, all they did they had a sip of water and got into bed I think they will be in sleep for some time...

 

[Suzette]

Sounds like it worked out for everyone just as it should have. Terriers are not for everyone, so I applaud those folks who realized this BEFORE they got the pup that this might not be the breed for them. Wishing you all the best with your pups. I am loving the pics and can't wait to see more as they grow.

 

[Finsky]

Sounds like it worked out for everyone just as it should have. Terriers are not for everyone, so I applaud those folks who realized this BEFORE they got the pup that this might not be the breed for them. Wishing you all the best with your pups. I am loving the pics and can't wait to see more as they grow.

No, indeed they are not for everyone. And I'm glad to say that very early on after these pups birth, I managed to talk one person who was looking for a terrier out of it. She hadn't done research for these type of dogs and once I fed her with bare basics of the realities of the life with a terrier, I didn't hear nothing from her. Not that I have anything against people being first timers with terriers..we all have to start from the first one. As long as they take it on with some idea of what they might take on, they have then chance to succeed and keep the dog on.
I'm now hoping things will work out with our pack. It is early days yet and even everything so far is good...lots can happen when the pups grow up and their hormones kick in. It is never done deal when you have multiple dogs in the household....one can only put one's best efforts in practice and rest is down to the dogs.

 

[Finsky]

Time for a little update. Pups are 19 weeks old and they are starting to be quite big girls. Teething has started, though none has dropped out yet but we have LOTS of chewing going on. Some of their litter mates have been reported having lost odd tooth or two already.
Last week we met couple of pups that live locally to us...and they were all over the moon with it. What a friendly mayhem it was

Here is Iida mum (with ball) with her ginger girls....

Otherwise the life goes on in 'usual' style..other than my garden is yet again attacked and turned into bom-site...so much digging going on I know it will calm down eventually and there is no point trying to fight against the 'tide'. Youngsters are testing their feet and in the process getting older ones excited too so I might as well wait and get garden straight next year again. But now when there is even slightest whiff of any trespasses setting their feet on our soil...they are on it in a group! Here is our synchronized diggers on a mission....

 

[Hemlock]

Thanks for the update and photos - wonderful!

 

[Flobo]

Lovely, your photo's and updates always make me smile. A fine bunch of girls you have there!

 

[Finsky]

Thank you both! I think my updates are starting to dry out now...pups are growing and we don't have very much new things to report. The little ones are turning to be more and more like their bigger 'examples'. I'm just enjoying witnessing their subtle changes and little new things they come up with as they grow. Otherwise they are going through the usual puppy things that all dog breeds go through. For the first time since they were born....I dare to say, it feels like it is getting little easier now. I don't worry about them quite so much anymore neither. Only big worry I have is really about if the thieves get hold of them. We've had some unwanted drone activity around here and I feel they are not up to good with their snooping ways....in fact I am suffering with 'drone rage'. If I could only bring the bleeders down, but it seems there is higher penalties in doing so than what the drone flyers get if got court. BONKERS!

 

[Flobo]

Bugger! I was gonna say a good catapult might do the job.. then I read the last sentence
Are there no invading of privacy laws that could be invoked? It is a worry with all the dog theft going on, I wonder if it's worth reporting so it at least your concerns are logged somewhere?

 

[Finsky]

Bugger! I was gonna say a good catapult might do the job.. then I read the last sentence
Are there no invading of privacy laws that could be invoked? It is a worry with all the dog theft going on, I wonder if it's worth reporting so it at least your concerns are logged somewhere?

Oh yes there is but catching the buggers is another matter. Each drone has serial number and each drone operator should be registered and have license....but the serial number is on the drone and written in teeny writing and the operator can be quite far away to be found. They are not allowed to fly closer than 50m from buildings and people. Attacking drones comes under aviation laws....so the penalties can be quite severe if getting court bringing one down or even disturbing their flight/operator. Reporting to police is waste of their time and effort as there is no chance of catching the drone operator. We've now warned many neighbours around here and asked them to pass the word to others too. We had one drone 'looking' into our bedroom some while ago and other day, just as I let dogs into garden....as I don't let dogs out unless I'm with them, I could hear the buzzing noise from the drone and it was only about 10 m above me! I know this as I didn't have my glasses on and I could still see it clearly. So I stud there hands on my hips looking sternly at it....and I might have shown some 'international sign language' to it too......and it soon did fly away after finding it was spotted. Other day somebody in pet shop was talking about drones flying checking the gardens around their area as well. We have high crime rate around here with stolen dogs, so it seems that drones could be their tool to check their way around and to see where there is dogs to be found. Bloody drone 'toys'...they should not be sold to public if there is no efficient way of regulating their use neither...those things should go hand in hand or keep the use of them for professional use only. Right...that's enough ranting from me.

 

[Finsky]

Bugger! I was gonna say a good catapult might do the job.. then I read the last sentence
Are there no invading of privacy laws that could be invoked? It is a worry with all the dog theft going on, I wonder if it's worth reporting so it at least your concerns are logged somewhere?

And to add little admission......It might be bit of a over kill as it ain't that simple to get into our property...but I do keep little catapult with suitable ammo in kitchen....and couple of golf clubs....and old rubber police truncheon...just in case somebody fancies coming into house uninvited I do not let my dogs go without a fight, that's for sure!

 

[JudyN]

Could you take a camera into the garden with you and point it at the drones? Even if it's not good enough to get a pic showing the number, they don't know that.

 

[JoanneF]

We had one drone 'looking' into our bedroom

OMG that's awful!

 

[Finsky]

Could you take a camera into the garden with you and point it at the drones? Even if it's not good enough to get a pic showing the number, they don't know that.

Now that is an idea....didn't think of that! Though having camera handy when the drone is about is bit like 'needle in the hay stack' situation. But sure....it is something to plan for. My camera lens is more impressive looking than the drone's....

 

[Flobo]

I think that's a really good idea! Especially if you could get everyone in the area to photograph or film said drones every time they appear, it may be enough for the drone operator to think twice if they are up to something. Or take a picture and blow it up on to A4 paper and say 'suspicious drone activity in the are, beware!' and stick them up in local shops, in windows, on lamp posts etc. Or something like that..

 

[Finsky]

Right....time to bring closure to this thread. 'Pups' 7 1/2 months....
Pups are not pups anymore but proper youngsters that are starting to look like young adults now. Both of ours are now similar height to their mum but with difference that Ella has kept her muscle puppy-look and she is differently built to her sister who is much more sleek in her built....they both stand at 15" (or there about). Their first seasons are about to happen soon as Auntie Eva and mum Iida were both at similar age when they had theirs.
And I reckon we have FINALLY 'broken the camel's back' with youngsters toilet habits . Well...they did learn early on what to do and where....but being busy terrier, the needs always turned up 'all of the sudden'...just as you were having fun and there was no time to cross one's legs and get outside...never mind trying to send right signals that we hoomans would understand in a hurry. So it has all been bit 'hit and miss' so far
I do have to say that our 'home bred' youngsters have different 'feel' to the adults that were bought in. It is hard to put finger on it to say what it is...but because these two have never known anything else, their attitude towards us is slightly more trusting and 'open'.

Would have I done anything differently with this puppy adventure? NOPE! I'm very glad I did what I did. All pups have turned out to be super...and all of their owners are still delighted with their terrors.
Even if the time of the year for bringing large litter of pups was little challenging, there is always 'another side of the coin' for everything....now that the weather has improved, they are big and strong enough to venture with us where ever we fancy..'the world is our oyster'

Would I do it all again? Probably not. Bringing pups into world was wonderful but knackering work and I would LOVE to do it again, but since I cannot have anymore dogs into our household, there is no point breeding more and I just could not have a litter and hand them all away. So now on I will just enjoy the daily mayhem with my girls and hopefully sleep bit more and better as time goes by. All girls have found their place in the family and life is already much more settled.

Here is our girls enjoying a sunny day on a patio with Auntie Eva, who have decided that is easier to give in and join the fun with the youngsters rather than getting 'hot and bothered' with the constant teasing from them. We have now 3 zooming 'youngsters' in the house!