Chapter 1 -- The Arrival at Our House

Mama Beagle's arrival at our house last night was relatively uneventful.  She does not like the stairs to our basement where the whelping box is, but she doesn't mind being picked up and carried, so I guess that's kind of a non-issue.  Our girls already love her and our dogs are just fine with her.  We are keeping her in the kitchen, basement, and backyard right now -- just during the acclimation period.

No puppies during the night.  We all went to bed wondering since we have heard that a big change like moving her to a new house could induce labor.  She appears to have slept well.  

This morning she is full of energy and tail wags for all of us.  Whenever she sees one of us, she is all a-wag and wanting to be petted.  She lays by the gate in the kitchen with Husker, our Golden Retriever, laying on other side.  It's almost like he's keeping watch over her.  She has not eaten yet today, so I am keeping an eye on her.  It may be that the morning's activities were too much fun to watch or that labor is imminent (or any number of other things!).   She is drinking water and pottying just fine!!!

Here are some photos from her first night with us:

Wow!  Look at that attention already!!!

Trying to get an "aerial" view of the belly.

Mama Beagle's very large belly!

Meeting our Daisy through the gate.