A particularly emotional Shikoku litter for us!

- A roller coaster ride of emotions - The legend of mama bear, papa bear and baby bear.

Father: Kenichi Kinchairo Atae Natsumisou black sesame

Health: HD A, ED 0, PL 0 and eyes free

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Mother: Koumehime Go Asou Yamato Sou sesam

Health: HD B, ED 0, PL 0 and eyes free

This litter has a special meaning for us. It is marked by much tragedy and emotion.

Mitcha joined us in February 2020. A short time later she became critically ill. She got one in May, before her first heat uterine inflammation. We will devote an article to this in the blog. Well, what next? Luckily!? it was an open form. In misfortune!? we already had huge corona problems and no vet had capacity for us. In such a case, speed is of the essence. Those who took their time wanted to start us off with castration. But we are fighters and not entirely uneducated. We got professional help and advice which, as already suspected, gave us little hope. Mitcha was treated for a long time and after a few relapses finally recovered completely. Now we had a new problem. Her age and a lack of heat...

After more than 1 year she finally got into her 2nd heat which overlapped with Reiko's pregnancy. So we applied for an increase in the kennel because we were advised to book soon, but at that time we were only allowed to raise 1 litter. We also assumed that her cycle would be long and irregular, so we didn't want to lose any time for her well-being. There was always a residual risk of relapse. In this case, however, a castration for Mitcha's benefit was certain.

We overcame this hurdle with a lot of help and support, but after the first progesterone test we found that Mitcha was already past her mating time. The curious thing about it: mathematically it was too early, a good deal too early. This further blow cost us heart's blood. Still, we kind of looked ahead. In Karlsruhe she seemed quite strange to me and thanks to the hotels, I found a hint of blood on the snow-white sheets. I kept Mitcha under a watchful eye. I happened to call our dear Helen in the evening to discuss our B-litter. My decision was made. Kini should also become her partner. He's such a good boy. Not only in terms of health, no, but also in terms of character. Mitcha's hunting instinct should become "more manageable". Furthermore, Kinchairo has recently mated very well and is a great Hongawa representative. All our hopes were on him. (M) A burden for this young stud dog (Reiko was his first wife, Mitcha the second).

So we made our way to Ms. Doc for a progesterone test. The results were also available shortly afterwards. According to Ms. Doc, it was actually much too early. For me, according to my feeling, alarming. What if it rises extremely fast again!? In consultation with Ms. Doc and Helen, we planned a date fairly early on. Actually much too early for everyone, but we didn't let ourselves be deterred and trusted our instincts. Helen kindly arrived with Kini. So some of them could also get to know the father of their puppies live.

Continue in the long program. It was very hard and difficult. Mitcha is a completely different type of character than Reiko, at least as far as the love life is concerned. Were we too early? Didn't Mitcha like her partner? (both already knew each other and Mitcha was friendlier and more open than Kinchairo when we first met) We tried a lot and managed to get Mitcha to thaw out on Friday, November 26th, 2021. She started to play with Kini and tolerated him, well, to some extent at first. It was all new and strange to her. Felt eternities of insecurity passed, Kini gave everything and we achieved 1 mating. Kinchairo was beyond exhausted and Mitcha beyond confused after all of this. We left it at that. There was no point in doing more and we considered ourselves satisfied and happy with our results.

The next blow came. A short time later Mitcha got discharge again. Known discharge and we were down. All given and yet all wasted!? A visit to Mrs. Doc should provide information. The ultrasound of course meaningless at this stage. The blood work should give more information. We waited anxiously and got the call. After evaluation no big hopes for puppies. The decision, on December 28th, 2021, shortly after Christmas, should show our gift with an ultrasound. In my relatively short time as a cynologist I have grown a bit and am able to interpret an ultrasound. Mitcha was prepared and lay in my arms while everyone watched the ultrasound machine. The head touched down and the first pictures could be seen. PREGNANT!

We couldn't believe it. Another Christmas miracle for us. Incredibly beautiful <3 BUT... Another little problem, how unexpected... Unfortunately, our regular vet still has relatively inexperienced ultrasound staff. How many puppies are there going to be? A very important question. Especially with an inexperienced bitch who didn't know what was happening to her (Mitcha had become very restless and restless and dissatisfied with himself after the mating, which gradually gave way). A phone call to the veterinary clinic secured us an appointment in the new year. So on January 4th, 2022 it was time again. As with Reiko, the crucial ultrasound was carried out without me, thanks to Corona. But the evaluation was amazing. A boxer in Shikugel ^^ Joking aside. It is really very rare to see such vigorous movement from a puppy at such an early stage. The hearts beat too. That's what you call healthy, lively and active! We were told of 3 to 4 puppies. So nothing stood in the way of planning a natural birth and we continued to wait patiently until said day x, January 27th, 2022.

Baby bear 1, female, birth weight 328 g I Born at 9:25

Baby bear 2, female, birth weight 357 g I Born at 9:47

Baby bear 3, female, birth weight 265 g I Born at 10:44

Baby bear 4, male, birth weight 366 g I Born at 11:26

These puppies are so special. Not only thanks to Mitcha's line and hunting instinct, no, also because of all the experiences we have lived through for these baby bears. So what do we take away from this? Certainly not just experience, sweat, nerves and memories - a souvenir in the form of a puppy for us. Hoping, of course, that he enriches us, the breed, and Nihon's Legend by becoming a legend and walking his path with us. High hopes and a special focus on this litter. Mitcha's health history is followed by an observation of the development with the support of the families. Whether and when there will be another litter with Mitcha remains to be seen. Otherwise we have hope in her/our puppies and continue to watch the story/legend.

Here are some pictures of the baby bears as well as the mama and papa bears <3

Nihon's Legend Chiyoko lives in Germany

miss red

Nihon's Legend Chidori lives in Germany

miss purple

Nihon's Legend Chihiro YUNA lives in Germany

miss brown

Nihon's Legend Chiko YAMATO lives with us

mister green