My cabin was beautiful.  It had a huge wooden fireplace that warmed the whole cabin, a bed and a fairly modern bathroom.  I was truly impressed.  There were other guest cabins, a cabin that contained a sauna and the main house, which also looked like a log cabin. 

We had dinner in the main house and it was really good.  There are no stores anywhere close so they eat what they hunt.  I am not always the bravest of eaters so this worried me a bit but it ended up being really good.  They had an excellent wine and dinner was quite enjoyable.  It was a lovely evening and I was quite enjoying myself.  Unfortunately, that was it for the good times.  I never saw Natalie again and have never heard from her, if it wasn't for the fact that I know people have talked to her I might be actually worried that something happened to her.

In the morning the power was out at Akita Villa.  It had snowed a little bit overnight so that might of had something to do with it.  I didn't get any breakfast but more importantly that meant no coffee!!  Oh no, what a scary thought!!

A driver showed up and I was rushed out with my bags to be driven to Lithuania.  It all happened very quickly and took me a bit by surprise.  I understood from Oleg (Natalie's husband) that Oleg and Natalie would be along later and in the mean time an English speaking assistant, Marina, would take me shopping.  My driver to Lithuania was very, very nice.  He only spoke a few words of English but tried very hard to talk to me and even teach me a bit of Russian.  Just a really sweet man.  He had coffee in a thermos that he shared with me, might be one of the reasons I liked him so much!  Three hours later we were in Lithuania.  Unfortunately, Marina was no where to be found.  Another girl who didn't speak English took me to lunch and was obviously very unhappy about it.  It was a quiet, very uncomfortable lunch.  Then she took me shopping....someone had told her to do this because she really didn't want to do this either.  The area we were in was beautiful, boutiques and specialty shops everywhere.  I could feel my credit cards warming up and was starting to wonder how much I could bring back....well not to worry she rushed me by all the beautiful designer stores and took me to a bookstore!!!!  We I like books and all, but I only read English!  So she stood there and watched me as I wondered around and tried to look interested.  More quiet, uncomfortable moments.  So we leave the book store and again I hope for something a bit more my speed.  She took me down some steps and I thought maybe we were going to an underground indoor mall, great!....Well, no!  We were going to a grocery store, so I think okay maybe she needs to pick up some groceries...no, she again stands there expectantly watching me.  I myself don't think I need any groceries.  However, later that evening, alone with no supper I was glad of the bag of chips and water I had bought....maybe she was smarter than I thought.

Back to the office, and everyone starts to pack up to leave.   I almost screamed "What about Me??".  I was given a key to an empty apartment across the courtyard and told not to worry there would be an armed security guard in the courtyard all night...great!  I had a flight at 6:25 in the am and at this point no idea how I would get to the airport.  Natalie and Oleg where obviously no coming and I was alone in a foreign country and I didn't speak the language.  My great Russian adventure suddenly seemed like a bad idea.  I called Allan, distraught.  After a few hours of him calling and not being too pleased he was able to sort everything out.  I sat on the edge of a couch in an empty apartment all night, then flew home in the am. 

Wow, this boy is quite the pinto.  A black mask and two spots by his tail....that is all the colour he gets. 

He is also just over a pound and doing really well.

We have a hooded puppy.  Just as Marissa is talking to Bev Wilkinson saying that we don't expect any whites, we watch as this white puppy comes out!  He has two spots of colour around each ear and eye.

Born just after midnight and he is also just over a pound.

So, it's four hours after our first puppy and nothing.  She is resting comfortably but no great contractions.  I feathered her which did bring on some good contractions but when I stopped so did the contractions.   So we decided it might be time for some Oxytocin.  We gave her 1/2ml IM and 15 minutes later....boom, puppy is here! 

He must of been stuck somewhere for a while, cause he came out green!  However, he was fine.  He is cleaned up and nursing well.

So, our green boy must of been a bit of a cork.  Not five minutes after he was born, our next girl came out.  She is healthy and very nicely marked.  All these puppies are consistant in weight at just over a pound.  This girl was a pound and 3 oz.