Puppy Midwife - The Rest of the Story

Last week we rescued a beautiful little golden girl who was great with puppies. She looked as if she was going to detonate and explode at any moment. She would make any woman who has ever been pregnant cringe at the sight of her.

We set up a birthing room in the corner of our garage with heaters, blankets, towels, heating lamps and various other supplies. I thought I was going to be brave and handle this by myself, until Rich yelled for me to come check Adeline and I saw indications this delivery might have some problems. The courage drained right out. I immediately called the vet clinic to ask if I could bring her in. They were patient with my hysteria. Rock, our English Bulldog already had an appointment that afternoon so we decided to take both of them. Rich loaded Rock into the back of the Jeep while I went to get Addie. When I went to her birthing suite, she wasn't there. Then I was in full-blown panic.

I finally found Addie outside in the freezing cold, in our vacant dog house, giving birth to her first puppy. I grabbed the brand new puppy from her and raced back to the garage with him, as Addie chased close behind. I realized it was too late to try to take her to the clinic. ( It was show time.) Rich decided to keep Rock's appointment (Chicken!). Seconds after he left, I realized my purse and phone were in his car. I chased him, screaming and waving my hands like a maniac as he sped off down the driveway. Addie and I were now alone, with no means of outside communication. My experienced puppy midwife friend's phone number, as well as my veterinarian's was in my phone, were in that car. I sure hoped Adeline knew more about this process than I did, or we were both in big trouble.

I breathed a sigh of relief that the first little guy seemed to be doing well, in spite of his harsh, cold entrance into this world and a bumpy transport to the place he was supposed to be born. I was also thankful that Adeline agreed that the birthing suite we had worked so hard on was the better place to continue her labor and delivery, and settled in with her new baby. I took some more deep breaths, calmed myself and thought maybe we could handle this together after all............until the second puppy was born. This puppy was born lifeless. Addie tried desperately to revive it. It broke my heart, as she worked and worked to get the puppy to respond. I tried to take it from her but she wouldn't give up. My few confident moments were over. I raced to the house, grabbed the phone book (I don't know anyone's phone number anymore). Then I ran to my neighbor's house to borrow her phone to call in reinforcements; someone who had more experience than I or would at least provide moral support. In times of crisis, we find out who our friends are! I found I had two very faithful friends who quickly came to my aid.

We spent the next several unforgettable hours together experiencing an amazing, miraculous process. Adeline is not much more than a puppy herself, but somehow she knew just what to do. There were just a few moments when she needed a little assistance from us and I was glad we were there for her. She did seem to appreciate being able to lay her head in my lap for comfort, but no one had to show her how to take care of her babies. Fourteen puppies later it was all over...............yes, fourteen. Two puppies died, but we now have an even dozen little squeakers growing and thriving in our puppy nursery. This beautiful, loving little dog is taking perfect care of all twelve of her chubby little boys and girls. I shudder to think how Addie and her puppies might have suffered if she hadn't been rescued.

Every day she leans against me and gives me a look that says "thank you". You are welcome, beautiful girl. You are welcome.