On Monday, the vet Xrayed Sizzle and found four pups - disappointing, but a manageable litter. They were due on Sat, 10/18. The morning walk about said otherwise - Ms Sizzle was digging in the pampas grass, a sure sign of beginning labor around here. Here are Sizzle, Darla (in front) and Guy in the back, in the morning.

The whelping box was all set up, I had all my supplies ready - and the camera charged - We were set to go....

The first one came at about 6:30 PM and were spaced out about 45 minutes apart. The first was a short ridged female, the second a one crowned female (the crowns are the whorls in the top of the ridge - ya gotta have two for the show ring). The third pup was a ridgeless male, or as a friend said "My dog is not a ridgeless Ridgeback, he's a South African Lion Hound!" -- so, one South African Lion Hound in the litter. The fourth pup was a one crowned male. I was disappointed as I so wanted a show potential female. They were healthy and vigorous, so I was happy with that and prepared her bed and mine for the night in the whelping room.

I sat by the box and made some calls - Wait - was that another contraction?

Yes! About 10:30 PM, a show ridged female made her appearance - the gods must have felt sorry for me!
Here's the pile of five this morning..... can you find them all?