Anyone have pets that knew you were starting into labor?

[mforeback]

I have 2 dogs & 2 cats. They've been attuned to and aware of this pregnancy since day 1, and have already shown unusual, pregnancy-specific related behavior (being overtly concerned about my whereabouts/wellbeing, protective, affectionate, ect). I've been having pre-labor signs for the past week or so, currently 35 weeks 4 days.

Tonight they've started up something kinda weird, though. They (all four) keep following me around, acting concerned/especially unusually affectionate, and the dogs keep sniffing at my crotch - unusual for them. Even the more standoffish of the two cats has been glued to my side and won't stop purring and rubbing against me. I've been having frequent contractions, but they're irregular still; I suspect just more BH at this point.

What I'm wondering is, do they somehow sense that labor might be starting soon? I wonder. I've heard from a few other women that their pets started acting weird before they started labor; usually involving excessive concern/affection from the pets. Mine seem to all be doing that all of a sudden.

Who else has pets that acted differently before labor started, and how soon before labor did you notice it? Just curious. :)

TIA!

[LitMom]

Our dog knew before I did! A day or two before my oldest was born, the dog started dragging blankets around making little dens or nests. The baby was early, as well, so I wasn't expecting her! The second kid, the dog apparently decided that we were acceptably prepared and perhaps miffed that we didn't use her den the first time!

[mforeback]

That's really cute. :) I've been having contractions since 2am. I haven't been timing too closely, wanting to sleep, but they kept waking me up. There's been 6-8 per hour from 2-6am. Since I got up, they've been between 5-8 min apart, lasting probably 45-60 seconds. This has been going on for an hour now. This is my first baby, too, so I don't have previous experience. Does this sound like labor, or could it be prelabor still?

My dogs are still acting different. They keep following me around, sniffing at my belly/poking it with noses, and still sniffing at my crotch every chance they get. Odd for them...wonder if this is labor, if this is how they act during it? Dunno.

So, yeah! BTDT opinions, does this sound like early labor to anyone? :)