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Comment by Sam Tsang on December 31, 2008 at 8:34pm

Don't worry Rachel, it happens :) check out this thread, you'll know what to expect for the next few weeks

Comment by Stephanie & Lola on December 31, 2008 at 6:44pm

Lola goes into heat around Easter and Thanksgiving haha, just when we have places to go and people to see. She cries a lot and doesn't have a huge appetite the first week. We don't do many walks, well atleast not long ones, and we do them earlier in the morning and later at night after everyone is pretty much done walking their dogs. Diapers didn't work for her she ripped them off and chewed them up. We have all hardwood in our house so it's a lot easier to clean up than carpet. Good luck!!

Comment by Wendt Worth Corgi's on December 31, 2008 at 12:32pm

Some things are just out of our control and its really not a big deal. You can buy a diaper for her and just use sanitary napkins w/wings that we would use inside the diaper. Change them often to prevent infection. All of my girls except them and have to wear them all the time in the house. They get use to them like its their own skin. Buy the medium diaper or small but not the large even though the weights and packaging might indicate large trust me its too big. You'll have to strap it alittle tight and after she wears it awhile they stretch out some like our freshly washed jeans. I do allow mine to not wear them a bit so they can clean themselves some and kinda air out. As far as her being in standing heat..that normally happens about the 11 day from when she started. Just don't leave her outside unattended and if she isn't real mindful it is best to keep her on a leash since she may want to wonder finding a mate for herself. Better to be over cautious then not and have an accidental pregnancy. On the good side...you've got about another 6 months before she will come back into heat so you have all the time to have that appt. rescheduled. Good luck.

Comment by Rachel on December 31, 2008 at 11:55am

No, my boyfriend does not have a dog but he lives with his parents and they do have one nice carpet that I wouldn't want Izzie on. She is pretty calm today and she's been licking herself more often I've noticed the past few days. I called a vet and they are going to see her on Friday for an initial consultation and then we'll make a decision on when to get her spayed. My boyfriend and I agreed that it is better not to bring her to his place for NYE. And the crating thing won't be an issue because that is where she is kept when I am away and when I go to bed (she loves to chew and rip up everything!) She seems pretty content with a rawhide and sitting next to me on my (dark blue) couch. I haven't seen any blood around the apartment on my beige carpet, except for the instance where she sat on my arm and I saw blood. So I'm really not sure where she is in her cycle, but at this point I'm rambling so I'll just give Izzie a hug and tell her I've been through it a lot and I know what she's going through. ;-)

Comment by Kristen on December 31, 2008 at 11:32am

No scolding here. I know how life can get a hold of us and makes it difficult to stay on track! To save spots on your carpets and furniture I would suggest that you purchase either the little diaper garment that you can insert a feminine pad in or buy the disposable diapers. From my expereince buy a size bigger than you think you need. The diapers will do nothing to keep a determined male from getting to her, but it will save you the grief of stains. You won't want to take her where there will be other dogs...especially males and when she goes out to do her duty you will need to monitor her closely. Fergie never shows any discomfort with her cycles, but I know some dogs can seem uncomfortable and get whiney. Fergie just wants to cuddle more. We also have an in tact male in the house so it makes heat cycles pretty complicated around here. You can expect two to three weeks of dripping. If it is just you and your boyfriend, no other dogs and Izzie does well with the diaper garment You can probably take her with you. I would kennel at night during the cycle...just because they are pretty clever at removing the diaper garment. My preference is the denim diaper garments, but if you plan to get her fixed you might want to go with the disposables. I have two for Fergie so I can wash one and still have one to use.You could even use regular baby diapers...they are cheaper than the doggie ones and you get more in a package. You will want to wait to schedule her surgery until about a month after her cycle ends. Good luck Rachel. Izzie is such a doll!

Comment by Michelle on December 31, 2008 at 11:22am

AJ (the dog to your left) we got with the understanding that she would be bred. She is a retired show dog. The first time that she came into heat I bought her some of the "bloomers" from Pets Mart. She was not real happy but those were the breaks.

Does your boyfriend have dogs? If so I would pass on the road trip. I would limit her exposure to other dogs as much as possible as that can be quite harrassing.

Otherwise...if she just started all of this today..... go to your local pet store and get some puppy pads and crate her as much as possible. Put the Bloomers on her when you take her out of the kennel...this can get messy.

PS Take your choice of carpet cleaner. Priss would "shimmy" out of her bloomers while I was at work and make messes on the floor. (I was limiting her outside time as I did not want to drive every dog in the hood crazy.)