Moonlight MNO

Hannah has been the most devoted of mothers for 5 solid days now-- we can hardly get her to leave the pups for even a few minutes a day to take care of her most basic needs-- including pottying and eating. She has visibly lost weight during this heavy nursing time and is clearly tired and resting much of the time. But according to the books, a little exercise would do her some good, both in terms of energy and milk supply. So tonight we ventured out of the back yard (where the kitchen-bound puppies were so very close that Hannah couldn't even bear to leave the porch) and on to the sidewalk. And once she and I were there alone under the moonlight, there was no stopping her! We walked and walked and walked-- and really she would have liked to run I think!-- before I turned us around to come home. It was a great break for both of us. I guess Diane (my neighbor/friend/daily walking buddy) and I have a new walking partner starting tomorrow morning!

Hannah is a very powerful dog. Jason guesses she weighs 55-60 pounds. Her back comes to our mid-thigh, and she is extremely muscular. She reminds us of a Rhodesian Ridgeback or a Boxer in that way-- very short fur covering a very strong body. But she is more like a Lab in personality: absolutely a bundle of love and adoration. I sit next to her nursery pool for a while each day, and she rests her head in my arms or on my lap while I stroke her back and side. I know she is grateful for this respite in our home, and we are so very grateful to have her here as well.