A week to ten days before the mother-to-be is due we like to have her whelping box set up. We place it in the quietest corner of the house. It has a thick layer of newspapers for her to shred and to absorb liquid. When THE day arrives Kelsey paces around the house. Once she starts to pant we lead her to the whelping box and stay with her until the whelping is finished. She will turn in circles to help relieve the pain of contractions. She licks her rear often. After her waters break the first puppy should arrive shortly there after. Shibas tend to be obsessive with cleanliness and often clean themselves before attending to their whelp. Of course Kelsey had to fall victim to this and I, yes ME, I had to rip open some sacks, cut some umbilical cords. Anyway, after this the puppy is placed on one of Kelsey's nipples to nurse. She is sore and doesn't want the puppy near her at this point. He is placed in a small box on a ziploc bag filled with hot water and covered with a towel. This keeps him warm. The next puppy comes and the same thing happens, then the third. After all three were dried and Kelsey was comfortable we put them in the whelping box to nurse. Finally it's over! I felt her abdomen and thought I felt a lump moving. Sure enough three hours later the pups are back in the warm little box and the only female in the litter is born. This was a wonderful experience. I can't believe how well Kelsey did. I was expecting the puppies to be healthy but, they are unbelievable! They are so strong and healthy. Go check out the "Puppy Pictures" page!