After watching her more I decided to take her into the vets, he checked her over and between us we decided that she was so huge that she was not going to manage and so he would do a caesarean straight away, as it was likely one would have to be done later anyway. So he went ahead. Holly and I then spent the next couple of hours rubbing and stimulating puppies with the team. Twelve puppies later, one of which did not survive, and Shasta tidied up, we lifted her gently into the van, plus all the pups and came home. We have two girls that did not survive who will go down into the wood with all the other dogs, five healthy girls and six healthy boys.

 

I have to admit to being a little worried about Shasta, but she has been through so much I guess it is normal that she looks exhausted and pants a lot, however I will be glad when I know all is completely well, and so I will worry for a bit.

 

The first day of the Falconer's Fair went well, Mark came with me and two of the girls who volunteer here, it is nice to be able to take them. The birds did very well, not a wing put wrong, I was very pleased with them. I did a coping session and Mark did a seminar in the Hawk Board tent, and we did two demonstrations and then came home. I like to get the birds home for the night if I can as I am sure they do better, plus there were dogs and various others to see to as well.

 

We leave again tomorrow at 8.00am, the vet is coming to do a certificate for a bird that is going and so is going to check Shasta at the same time which I hope will relieve my mind somewhat.

 

The chicks are all doing well, the third Verreaux's chick is back with the Steppe Eagles who were very pleased to have a baby. Hemp has a baby Abyssinian Eagle Owl which she loves, its parents are looking after two wild Tawny Owl chicks that have been brought in, and they will get a third one tomorrow if the phone call I had comes to fruition! The vulture chick that we took up to Duncombe is also doing well, we are so pleased that the parents have taken to it, Charlie will be able to take down the temporary fence we put up in a week as we should be past any danger point by then.

 

The six baby burrowing owls have been filming on a lovely set built in the Indoor Hawk Walk, I look forward to seeing the film because they look wonderful in what they are doing. Briza rather likes being on the set too, which is not what they need, but she so likes to be helpful!