Molly & Scooby's Pups / 72 Hours later

On Monday morning Molly Rose started to become much more responsive to John and I and consequently to her beautiful, new Brittany puppies which made for some very happy hearts here. We were able to eventually discontinue the supplementary feeding as the day went on.  The biggest and brightest spot on the horizon yesterday was when Molly stood up without any assistance or coaxing and walked through the house to come and wake me up to say she had to go out.  I'd fallen asleep but Molly gently woke me up by nudging my hand with her nose.  We walked through the house together and I opened the door to the porch.  She went ahead of me - still quite wobbly - but slowly and carefully made her way down the porch steps.  I was so happy!!! She walked around the yard taking her time and then eventually headed back to me.  We went back in the house together and checked on the pups who were sound asleep in their puppy basket under the heat lamp. As the afternoon wore on, John and I continued to persuade Molly to eat more food and drink more water.  It wasn't too long before she let us know she wanted to have her pups back at her side and out of the basket for good.  Under our close supervision Molly lovingly nursed and cleaned her babies with the utmost attention.  When they fell asleep at her side, she closed her eyes to rest too. When one of her pups stirred or crawled away she was immediately aware of this and responded by nudging them closer or by moving her own body to them.  We observed the little personalities already emerging, perhaps due in part to the intervention we had been called to in absence of Molly during and following her surgeries. This morning we moved the little family back to the warmth, safety, security, and comfort of what is so affectionately referred to as 'the puppy cave.'  Molly has been offered and eaten ground beef, yogurt, boiled chicken, steak, and of course her regular food.  There had been an absence of appetite and thirst but that's all changed now.  We have been able to influence Molly to drink nearly 2 bottles of Pedialyte. She's on antibiotics and a low dose pain med.  Molly is doing wonderful and so are her babies.  Each puppy has either maintained their birth weight or gained as much as 1.5 ounces.  Given the circumstances of the past 72 hours this is very encouraging.  The animal emergency hospital has checked in to be sure things are going well and answered our list of questions, as did our regular vet, Dr. William Lowe at Broadview Animal Hospital.  when John brought the little ones over yesterday. 

The outpouring of warmth, love, friendship, prayers, words of encouragement from not only those who know us well, but from those of 'you' who are total strangers from across the country has been very humbling.  I am reminded of a similar response of compassion directed towards ATB in the post about spaying our Rosie last summer, Rosie who by the way was from Molly's very first litter.  My reason for sharing so very much about "All Things Brittany" the way I do here is always because of 'the love of the dog both given and received.'  This is who we are and it's what we do and I just want those of you who follow this to know - my heart is so touched through your personal responses.  Breeders know - or at least they should know - nothing is certain when it comes to what we do.  A breeder friend of ours recently responded to us on FB: "Having been through similar heartbreaking experiences, I can tell you that the joys from breeding outweigh the sorrows." And he is right!

Looking Ahead. I am hopeful that the weather will also continue to improve so that the rest of the crew here can get back into the fields, run through the woods, and dip into the 'brrr' chilly water of the pond.  Plans were for Bullet (who we are enjoying as our houseguest again!) to go to the hunt tests this weekend in Falmouth, MA along with True and Jack. Bullet is in training for his Junior Hunter title where he has one leg.  True and Jack are in training for a hopeful Senior Hunter title.  Unfortunately there were not enough dogs entered and the hunt tests were cancelled.  (Thank you Stephanie for letting us know.)  We're still not certain of Pippins pregnancy at all so she will go for x-rays soon. 

Speaking of Pippin makes me think of our friend Dawn who owns Pips father, Jac (no K).  Dawn is looking forward with great anticipation for the arrival of a beautiful new litter of Brittany pups from Morgen and Jac within the next week! And last but certainly not least - Dawn forwarded a copy of Miss Bailey's official AKC certificate of her Junior Hunter title.  Dawn and her husband Paul can be reached through their website for Hill's Brittanys in Connecticutt. They'd be happy to give you more information regarding their upcoming breeding program. (Our own program here has an active waiting list current through fall of 2012 regarding 2 future planned breedings.)

But for now... life here is truly all about Molly and her beautiful pups. And as one of the friends wrote, healthy pups means healthy breeders and at the moment I think that means sleeping when Molly is sleeping! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  Take care and God bless....and thank you so much for not only your interest, but for really caring.  John, Ann and ATB

PS Please join us in remembering Monica, Bill, and Kate - new owners of "North" puppy (now Wilson) and part of the ATB 'family'.  They are facing a sad and somewhat uncertain family situation.