whelping and other matters

I know this has nothing to do with books or anacoluthons (well maybe I could make this somewhat anacoluthon like?) but I must tell you about Monday night 15 December. Spot on target, Nanuq created the most beautiful whelping spot complete with antechamber and secret hideaway. Only problem was that it was in the dam. So we persuaded her to abandon it (feeling very guilty and rather like a weaver's wife, you know the kind, rejecting nest after nest?) and she dropped first pup on Steve's bed, on top of expensive African cloth bed cover. Ah well.

This was 8pm. Next one was 8.40. Then we waited. And waited. Self rang the Fourways Veterinary Hospital. What to do? A gentle male voice told me not to worry. If there were more pups, she would push. Which she did, at 11.30 while we were secretly rejoicing that there were only two pups to look after. And so it went, throughout the night. Do all Alaskan Malamutes take hours between deliveries?
Last two were between 2.15 and 2.50 am by which time, I collapsed onto Steve's bed with torch in hand and tried to sleep between squeaks, getting up frequently to change the hotwater bottle.

Several females, all very dark. A few males, ashy coloured. Life is good if a little wearying.