Wow, let me set the scene for you:
I’m working from home after a long night of very little rest. Zoey was panting, pacing, and nesting all night long and neither of us got much sleep. I knew the puppies were imminent. I had just hung up from one conference call and was two minutes into the next one when BOOM, her plug is blown (water broke). Nevermind that she happened to be standing on the one tiny part of the floor that I DIDN’T have covered up.
I wasn’t concerned because I had arranged for professional, been-there-done-that-a-bunch-whelping-midwife help coming to assist. But noooo, Zoey didn’t wait for reinforcements. Number one pup was on it’s way, and I mean NOW. I used the few minutes available to cancel and reschedule all my workday events and the rest of the day and into the evening we were whelping pups.
Nine of ’em folks! Nine beautiful, squeaky little wiggleworms. Seven boys, two girls. All nice, healthy weights – and gaining quickly.
And my girl Zoey? I just love her to pieces! She’s strong willed and independent (one of those Schnauzer traits I love) and yet the trust she places in me is so evident and heart-warming. This was her first litter and she was clearly scared when the first pup was coming. She pressed her head into my chest and leaned against my body as she pushed that first pup out. It was really sweet. A Kodak moment that only she and I captured in memory. …well, that may not be completely true. I had turned on the video camera and set it inside the whelping box. If I captured anything worthwhile I’ll post it for y’all once I get rested up and caught up on work stuff. In the meantime, this pic sums up how we both felt at the end of the day: 
Today is Zoey’s first possible due date. She is so huge! And clearly not comfortable.