Russell Irish Setters

So we began taking Birdy's temperature morning and night.  This will give us a baseline normal so that we can watch for a temperature drop which indicates whelping is imminent.    I have noticed in the past that there will be a small drop of 0.5 - 1.0 degree F a day or so ahead of the BIG drop of 1.0 or more.  I always get excited about this initial drop, but it always goes back up for a few hours to one day.   The cervix is softening, pups are moving into position, and then the big drop happens and we have the start of whelping within 24 hours. 

We have our rickrack ready to mark pups, the whelping book is ready to record weights into, and towels are washed and ready.  This week always seems to go so slowly!