Saturday 3 October 2015

Pet-ducation

It's been no secret that Mama has been virtually non-existent for the past few months, and delayed further about a month ago, when life threw us a curve ball and left us no option but to smash it out of the park. 

Nick and I jumped into the spa with a couple of drinks to celebrate our first night without a flatmate, as well as begin the ramp up to our trip to Australia three days later. As soon as the smoke came billowing out of our roof on the Sunday night of the fire, we knew we were in for an eventful next few months. 

Come midnight, we jumped into bed at the home of my wonderful in-laws. Minutes later, we thought we could hear the sound of a mouse in the room... boy, did we get that wrong! One tiny puppy on the floor, followed by another as we jumped out of bed and prepared for our very unique version of an "All Nighter". 

Growing up, I always wanted a dog. As life always unfolds, I met Nick, and we made the decision to bring home a friend for our Labrador, Jake. Our intention when we took on a second pup was always let nature take its course, and for Ella and Jake to have a litter after the first few heats. Recently, I began to have second thoughts about our intentions, however not soon enough. 

This is why...

I see my wonderful beautician, Letitia, every month, and she is the definition of a total superwoman, fostering dogs of all shapes, sizes and natures for Second Chance Dog Rescue. Each month, some pups would go, some would stay, some would arrive, but none had been put through what her Koopa had been subject to. Yesterday at 4.30pm, Koopa closed his beautiful eyes for the last time and went to a place where humans could no longer let him down. Koopa was the most beautifully natured dog, and he left us through no fault of his own - his owner abandoned him. He was found in a rubbish heap in which he dug himself a hole to act as a shelter, and fed the odd bread scraps by neighbours. 

Too many people are bringing pups into the world for no reasons other than selfishness, greed, or lack of education. I'm the first to admit that ours was the last of the three. Despite the myth I once believed, my Ella having pups was not going to calm her down any more than if we had her neutered in the first place and let her live life. It may have sped up the process slightly, but I soon learnt through this experience that our wee girl was about to grow up far too quickly than I could ever have imagined as she was forced into motherhood.

Upon selling the litter of nine, I am so thankful to have had the option to be selective over which homes our pups go to, and the ability to make it compulsory for all owners to meet us prior to adoption day. Our sale agreements will strictly outline that all pups must be neutered by "X" date, and that we are to be advised by the vet once this procedure has been carried out. Despite our circumstances, we are fortunate enough to keep the pups until eight weeks, and I thank the universe that we didn't lose any in the already stressful situation. 

Given the nature of the situation our pups arrived in, I had to prepare myself for the worst - that one (or more) pups may not survive. Not only that, but what if something happened to the one (of two) dogs I loved the most? My wee girl Ella that I tell all of my secrets to? Is that something you want to go through? Puppies sure are adorable, but no amount of cuteness would ever make up for the loss of our girl.

To anyone thinking about breeding off their animals, please, think again and fix your fur children. And if you do decide to adopt a puppy privately, get them neutered as soon as possible. It's a difficult, exhausting process for all involved, and I can guarantee it will never happen at the right time. Puppy season is upon us, and unfortunately the harsh reality is that there will be abandoned, mistreated pups taken in by rescues such as Second Chance. Please, contact the rescues first. 

I really hope that this post will speak volumes to someone, hopefully more. If at least one pups life can be saved, and less are bred into this world, I have paid a small debt I owe to Koopa and others like him. RIP gorgeous boy, you will be missed every day xx



On a lighter note, some photos of our (exhausting) journey so far:
Ella, exhausted, about a week prior to birth.

Proud mama, Ella and her babies at two days old.

Puppies at one day old.

Wee Minnie - three weeks. Minnie is the runt of the litter, and I had to feed her two hourly for the first couple of weeks.

First feeding session, it got very messy!

Selfie!

All tuckered out after meeting forever families today.
Just waiting for a mate - he's late.

The Gang at three weeks.



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