Before tiny paws ever touch the ground… there’s a season of waiting. Nesting. Hoping. Preparing.

At Crestie Charm Cottage, bringing a new litter into the world is never routine. Each time, it feels a little bit like magic—and a lot like love. The preparation begins long before the first puppy arrives, and it’s filled with soft rhythms, quiet rituals, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Here’s a look at what it’s really like preparing for a new litter here at the cottage.


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🐾 Quiet Anticipation

When one of our girls is expecting, everything shifts. We slow down. We listen more. We watch for signs—morning restlessness, changes in appetite, that unmistakable nesting instinct. It’s a time of gentle observation and small joys.

We begin journaling her journey: how she’s feeling, what she’s craving, her favorite spot to nap. Every pregnancy is unique, and we treat it with the same reverence as we would a dear friend’s.


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🛏 Creating the Whelping Space

Our whelping area isn’t a cold, clinical space. It’s soft and sacred—a quiet corner of our home made warm with blankets, washable pads, heating discs, soft lighting, and the soft hum of quiet music or white noise.

We prepare a cozy den for mama, where she can feel safe, calm, and undisturbed. We spend time here with her often, letting her get comfortable in the space. Sometimes she sleeps there weeks before the puppies arrive—just settling in and knowing it’s hers.


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🧺 Gathering Supplies (and Love)

There’s a checklist, of course:

Whelping box

Clean towels and receiving cloths

Puppy scale and record book

Emergency supplies and vet contacts

Nutritional support for mom

Heating pads, clamps, scissors, gloves (just in case)


Around day 55 of pregnancy, mama visits the vet for a maternity x-ray. This helps us count how many puppies to expect—which isn’t just exciting, but crucial for her health. Knowing how many little lives she’s carrying helps us monitor her safely during labor and ensures we know when she’s truly finished—or when a puppy may need extra help.

But just as important are the unseen things:

A calm home

A flexible schedule

An open heart

A deep breath


Preparing for a litter is part organization, part intuition. It’s about being ready for anything, and grounded in everything.


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🤎 Mama Comes First

We tailor everything around the needs of the expectant mom. Whether she wants quiet or closeness, extra snacks or more naps—we follow her lead. We gently check her vitals, massage her back, rub her ears, and reassure her often.

She’s not just a mother-to-be—she’s our baby, too.


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📅 The Waiting Game

As the due date approaches, the pace slows even more. We double-check every detail and begin watching for the earliest signs of labor.

We also clear our schedule for at least two full weeks—no commitments, no distractions—so that we can devote our time entirely to mom and her babies. This period is critical for monitoring, bonding, and hands-on support. We stay close, sleep light, and remain fully available day and night.

We keep our phones nearby, take short rests in shifts, and prepare for whatever the birth may bring—whether it unfolds gently or needs a little help.

It’s a sacred stretch of time—the last quiet before the symphony of life begins.


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💛 Why It Matters

Preparing for a litter isn’t just a checklist. It’s a mindset. A commitment to doing things gently, intentionally, and with full presence. It’s not flashy. It’s often unseen. But it’s everything.

By the time the puppies arrive, they’re stepping into a space already soaked in care. A space that says: you were wanted, you are welcome, you are home.