Eventually Ellie came into season. Bitches often have their first season between 7 and 14 months of age. Ellie decided to wait until she was 16 months! It can be very trying!

Apart from the obvious mess, she became very moody. She didn't want to train for several weeks before her season and she remained moody for several weeks afterwards.

She started off being very grumpy to Darcy and Bradley then graduated to some very unladylike flirting! Poor Bradley was frustrated and quite intent on mating her (even though he was castrated years ago). I had to separate them as I didn't want Ellie getting the unwanted attention!!! Fortunately, Darcy didn't seem to have any desires in that direction (probably as he was never fully entire in the first place).

The season seemed to last for ages (well, longer than the 3 weeks you read about in the books, anyway).

However, she at least got it out of the way before we went caravanning in April (it would have been very annoying to be stranded in the lake district, in a caravan park, with a bitch in season. We would not have been popular!

I can now schedule her operation (neutering) for 3 months after the season ends - that means the beginning of June.

This page was updated on 11th June 2005