Diana,
having Juneau here is, on one hand, very nice for people like us who despite all appearances are somewhat "control freaks". This way we get to manage the births.

On the other hand, it also disrupts the balance we've had in the household since Rowdy and Crash left us. Juneau is sweet and lovely but she can be a b***h and, invariably, will do something to get the boys (Harry Potter and Sundance) upset with each other. And now that she's pregnant, she's even worse. Bless those hormones!

However, when I add up the pluses and minuses, I'd rather be doing this than anybody else. Our breeding success rate is pretty high. And we do more to make good Rotties in those first 8 weeks than anybody else on earth. OK, maybe that's a bit of conjecture but we do give good puppy.

Life is always too busy. Too all-consuming. But we have made a concerted effort to make ourselves available for this breeding. Linda's finishing off the first monthly issue of The Rottweiler Magazine and I'm finishing up my last two baby shoots. The first 2 weeks are completely involving for us. We assist in all feedings and they take place every two hours night and day. Once eyes are open and ears are hearing -- about 10 days -- things ease up a bit but we still accompany mom when she's in the whelping box.

Sorry you're missing your Dusty. I've sent a few of my dogs away with our handler and missed them terribly. I understand.

Jim