Dax
Emma and Christopher's Mommy - Best job ever
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2000
- Messages
- 4,171
Many here have seen my threads of my pugs. Here is the full story of the experience...
It all began in Sept when the vet told me Zelda may be pregnant. She also said it could be a false pregnancy. We hoped and wished it was, because at that time, we didnt think we were ready for babies.
Fast Forward to Nov 11. Zelda is very much pregnant, I can tell that now. She is due in another week or so, or so we think. We have been doing what we can to be ready of the big arrival. I am in my office, playing an online game with my husband. I look over at the dog, and she is acting funny, nesting on the waterbed. I move her to a different location, to the kitchen, she runs into her crate.
15 mins later, Puppy #1 has arrived. Just like that. I spring into action, nervous as I am not sure I know what to do. I clear the sac, and see that it is a girl. She is breathing. Mother is scared out of her mind, and wants nothing to do with baby.
Over the next hour, puppies 2 and 3 are born. Another girl, and a boy. We think it is all over, as the vet believed there were only 3. Well was she ever wrong! 2 hrs later, labor starts again, and we get puppy 4 and 5. Both girls. I am happy I have 5 puppies all doing very well. Mom is fine, just not interested in babies. I force her to nurse though, and all seems well.
We fast forward yet again to Wed night, about midnight. Zelda had decided she wanted to sleep with us. Fine. She is VERY restless, and both hubby and i have to get up early. I place her back in the crate. She looks like she has to go out, so I let her out. She is out about 10 mins, she comes back in, and we all go to bed. Hubby wakes up at 6am for work and rushes back in the bedroom. It seems as if she gave birth again!!! Yes there was a baby in the middle of my kitchen floor. Cold, but alive! I rush her to the others to get her warmed up. I then get a gut feeling to go outside. Sadly, when I do, I found puppy#6. She had passed away. This was my first real loss. I felt sooooo responsible. Vet said it was ok, not my fault. Had no way of knowing. We bury her in the yard.
The puppies are now 2 weeks. Puppy #7 has been named Miracle and is the runt. She is doing good though. Sadly, one of the other girls isnt. She dies in my hand at 2 weeks old. I cried for hours. How could I have done such a bad job? What could I have done different? The vet said there was nothing that could have been done. Hubby and I name her Peach, and she too is buried. I still hurt thinking about her.
I know refocus my efforts. I have 5 babies depending on ME. Mom wants nothing to do with them, I have to force her to nurse. The pups are handled all the time. We talk to them. We tell them we love them. They THRIVE!!!
The day the first one opened her eyes was one of the best days of the whole experience. I watched her stumble around with renewed purpose. One by one, they all began to open there eyes, until all had them open. It was wonderful. They were becoming more active, and harder to control. We improvised the sleeping arrangment, and began weaning, as mom was not producing milk. By 5 weeks old, all were weaned but Miracle. We had decided to keep the only male also, and named him Wario on Thanksgiving weekend.
Soon came the day when i put the add in the paper. I received many calls. I screened them, and found the best possible owners. They all came and picked out there babies, and named them. Rosie, Maggie, and the final White Paws, which is just a nickname for her from us. I tried not to think of the day when they all would leave me.
For the next few weeks, my hubby and I cared for them. We taught them what we could. We got attached. That was the biggest mistake I think we made, but how can you care and not get attached. It happens to people who foster dogs and cats, why not breeders to. I feel it made me a more careful breeder. we brought them outside and let them romp around for the first time. We had a great time with them. I would miss them terribly. They all were showing there personalities. They would be great pets. I knew that now.
The day finally came for the first to go home. Maggie. She was going to a retired couple. I knew she ould be well loved in her new home. I printed up everything she would need. When she arrived, I let all the babies play with one of her toys, and rub on her blanket. Then I did the hardest thing....I said goodbye. Once she was gone, I looked at the remianing 4, and they seemed to sense something was up. I went out to run errands to keep from breaking down.
Finally the day to send the others off arrived. Rosie first. I met her new brother, Sam, who is the cutest I have ever seen. She came loaded with questions, and I answered them all. I said goodbye to Rosie. Soon after, White Paws's new parents came. I said goodbye again. I almost lost it. When she was gone I picked up Wario, hugged him, and let a tear drip in his fur. I had raised my first litter, and just sent them off into the world. I had done it.
As I write this, I look back on it and think it was VERY rewarding. Would I do it again, maybe. But I thank all of you for the help I received in raising and getting through this. I couldnt have done it alone. I will miss all of "my" puppies, as that is how I see them, but I know they are in great forever homes now.
It all began in Sept when the vet told me Zelda may be pregnant. She also said it could be a false pregnancy. We hoped and wished it was, because at that time, we didnt think we were ready for babies.
Fast Forward to Nov 11. Zelda is very much pregnant, I can tell that now. She is due in another week or so, or so we think. We have been doing what we can to be ready of the big arrival. I am in my office, playing an online game with my husband. I look over at the dog, and she is acting funny, nesting on the waterbed. I move her to a different location, to the kitchen, she runs into her crate.
15 mins later, Puppy #1 has arrived. Just like that. I spring into action, nervous as I am not sure I know what to do. I clear the sac, and see that it is a girl. She is breathing. Mother is scared out of her mind, and wants nothing to do with baby.
Over the next hour, puppies 2 and 3 are born. Another girl, and a boy. We think it is all over, as the vet believed there were only 3. Well was she ever wrong! 2 hrs later, labor starts again, and we get puppy 4 and 5. Both girls. I am happy I have 5 puppies all doing very well. Mom is fine, just not interested in babies. I force her to nurse though, and all seems well.
We fast forward yet again to Wed night, about midnight. Zelda had decided she wanted to sleep with us. Fine. She is VERY restless, and both hubby and i have to get up early. I place her back in the crate. She looks like she has to go out, so I let her out. She is out about 10 mins, she comes back in, and we all go to bed. Hubby wakes up at 6am for work and rushes back in the bedroom. It seems as if she gave birth again!!! Yes there was a baby in the middle of my kitchen floor. Cold, but alive! I rush her to the others to get her warmed up. I then get a gut feeling to go outside. Sadly, when I do, I found puppy#6. She had passed away. This was my first real loss. I felt sooooo responsible. Vet said it was ok, not my fault. Had no way of knowing. We bury her in the yard.
The puppies are now 2 weeks. Puppy #7 has been named Miracle and is the runt. She is doing good though. Sadly, one of the other girls isnt. She dies in my hand at 2 weeks old. I cried for hours. How could I have done such a bad job? What could I have done different? The vet said there was nothing that could have been done. Hubby and I name her Peach, and she too is buried. I still hurt thinking about her.
I know refocus my efforts. I have 5 babies depending on ME. Mom wants nothing to do with them, I have to force her to nurse. The pups are handled all the time. We talk to them. We tell them we love them. They THRIVE!!!
The day the first one opened her eyes was one of the best days of the whole experience. I watched her stumble around with renewed purpose. One by one, they all began to open there eyes, until all had them open. It was wonderful. They were becoming more active, and harder to control. We improvised the sleeping arrangment, and began weaning, as mom was not producing milk. By 5 weeks old, all were weaned but Miracle. We had decided to keep the only male also, and named him Wario on Thanksgiving weekend.
Soon came the day when i put the add in the paper. I received many calls. I screened them, and found the best possible owners. They all came and picked out there babies, and named them. Rosie, Maggie, and the final White Paws, which is just a nickname for her from us. I tried not to think of the day when they all would leave me.
For the next few weeks, my hubby and I cared for them. We taught them what we could. We got attached. That was the biggest mistake I think we made, but how can you care and not get attached. It happens to people who foster dogs and cats, why not breeders to. I feel it made me a more careful breeder. we brought them outside and let them romp around for the first time. We had a great time with them. I would miss them terribly. They all were showing there personalities. They would be great pets. I knew that now.
The day finally came for the first to go home. Maggie. She was going to a retired couple. I knew she ould be well loved in her new home. I printed up everything she would need. When she arrived, I let all the babies play with one of her toys, and rub on her blanket. Then I did the hardest thing....I said goodbye. Once she was gone, I looked at the remianing 4, and they seemed to sense something was up. I went out to run errands to keep from breaking down.
Finally the day to send the others off arrived. Rosie first. I met her new brother, Sam, who is the cutest I have ever seen. She came loaded with questions, and I answered them all. I said goodbye to Rosie. Soon after, White Paws's new parents came. I said goodbye again. I almost lost it. When she was gone I picked up Wario, hugged him, and let a tear drip in his fur. I had raised my first litter, and just sent them off into the world. I had done it.
As I write this, I look back on it and think it was VERY rewarding. Would I do it again, maybe. But I thank all of you for the help I received in raising and getting through this. I couldnt have done it alone. I will miss all of "my" puppies, as that is how I see them, but I know they are in great forever homes now.
)
