This is what I do

[Willow Oak]

I may have taken the pups away from mom too soon. Anyways they are back with her this evening. I am guessing that they are around four weeks old. When I arrived home from work she acted like she was missing them so I gave them back. We'll see about tomorrow.

I am gone all day. Just not enough time to prepare for them properly.

I'll take them over to the shelter on Saturday. I am guessing that I shall end up keeping mom. Boy did I have a mess to clean up when I arrived home!

I'm tired. Good night.

[slick]

Like I already said....

I can quit my job that I hate, sell my condo, pack up and move to Mississipi. Of course, I would have to learn how to speak your language...

Seriously though, I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I believe that there are hoomans who are deemed to be rescuers and quite obviously you are one of them. I would take my hat off to you but I look terrible in hats...never wore them.

You, your stories and our glimpses into the "day in the life of" are such a wonderful addition to Pet Talk. I really hope you stick around.

[zippy-kat]

Claire. The Mom should be named Claire. (It's the closest name I could get to "Clorox.")

ETA
I guess Clara would work, too. lol

[Willow Oak]

Claire. The Mom should be named Claire. (It's the closest name I could get to "Clorox.")

ETA
I guess Clara would work, too. lol

It came to me in a dream. I am at work and too busy to relate the dream now (not that it matters), but as part of my preparation for work this morning, and before I left the house, I returned the pups to the bathroom with a bowl of mush. I'll have another gargantuan cleanup job when I arrive home this afternoon. There will be poop. Lots and lots of poop.

The mother did well with her babies during the night. They all curled up and slept fairly well. Still, I am experiencing sleep deprivation right now, having endured two nights with the new additions.

Before I left for work I entered the mom's kennel for a short visit. Squatting down I pulled my arms around the black and tan and hugged her for a bit. She is such a pretty dog. She has a nice smile, a wonderful wag, and she is well-behaved. I thought about what a responsibility it must be to be a mother.

Me? Oh, I'm not into motherhood -- I wouldn't know about that; but ..., seeing that poor thing in the road recently with those puppies hanging onto her, watching the mother dog and seeing her face, that weary, haggard look -- it's enough to make you want to cry -- even a grown man like me, who would rather go out and eat a steak and just relax.

I sat with her this morning and told her about my dream. It came to me as I slept. I told her that I know. Yes, now I know. I know her name. For all the labor and pain and all the worry and anxiety she had to endure, not knowing or even being concerned with where her next meal might come, her only and main concern being to care for and protect her babies, she held up heroicly. And in her heroism she survived and her babies survived, and now she is free to relax and look after herself once more, while someone else assumes the responsibility of caring for her babies.

Yes, I finally know her name. Despite the crule fates of being abandoned and unwanted, she persevered with beauty and grace, and it is such grace that adorns the world with beauty. Grace.

[kimlovescats]

Welcome, beautiful Grace!

[Husky_mom]

YAY!!!.. welcome Grace!!... she is a lovely girl with such a pretty face....

based on the pic where they are all eating.. they seem like 5 weeks...barely...maybe 4.5

the blacks and the chocolate being the biggest then the two black and tans...or so they see that way

but they all look adorable... when you get a chance could you get more pics for us ??... please

[Willow Oak]

Here are a couple of stills I took yesterday, right after delivering Grace and the pups to my house.