This is what I do

[Karen]

Grace is the perfect name for her. Why do I say that?

Our black Great Dane (mix, 3/4 Dane, 1/4 Lab) was named Grace, long-legged, sleek, shiny and completely graceLESS as a puppy, she was nonetheless a complete sweetheart, and much loved.

As your Grace is now learning to be - loved, that is!

I hope whomever dumped her and her puppies gets a bad case of fleas.

[Randi]

I agree, Grace is a lovely name for her, she has such a sweet face - now we're gonna have to change your signature!

That dinner picture is hilarious, at least four of them have their paws inside the bowl A good thing it's a floor that's easy to clean.

[Pam]

I am a little late replying to your threads so first of all let me say welcome. I have just read about Taz's first day with you and have now read about Grace (love the name) and her puppies. You are a very special person to say the least and those of us who love animals want to say Thank You for what you do to help so many. I see that I have a lot of reading to do to catch up with your furry family and I will stay tuned for updates on the little ones and sweet Grace.

[Willow Oak]

Today is Friday. I took this video of mom and pups this afternoon after I returned home from work.

Ordinarily I would quarantine a dog for a while before introducing it to the rest of the gang. I just couldn't wait this time. Here is a video of Grace's introduction to the rest of the crew.

She is really a gorgeous girl:


Grace -- the photogenic girl:


Taz is getting big. Here he is running the fence with Grace:


Grace from a distance with Sam and Fred:


A couple of face shots of the pups:




I think I shall keep the pups at least another week. I think they must be between four and five weeks of age. They would survive, but it's better if they stay with their mother until at least six weeks of age. That means two more weeks of sleep deprivation.

One thing though. Our animal shelter is not a no-kill shelter, but I cannot keep the pups. I really shouldn't keep Grace. I already am at my limit. In the past I have taken animals to the shelter with the full knowledge that they would be put down. I don't like it any more than you but I have had to learn that I can only do what I can do. Sometimes being put down can be better than the alternative.

Grace wouldn't stand a chance. It is highly unlikely that she would be adopted. The pups stand a better chance, but only because they are pups. Otherwise, their chances wouldn't be so good. As it is, it is unlikely that all the pups will be adopted. It hurts, and it is a heavy burden to contemplate consigning such health creatures to their demise. At least they had a semblance of dignity in their lives -- even if only for a sort while.

[Emeraldgreen]

Taz is getting big. Here he is running the fence with Grace:

I looked through your past posts to see where Taz came from. Is he one of the ones that just appeared one day at your house? He looks so much like Grace, I wonder if he could be from a previous litter of hers? There probably wasn't enough time for Grace to give birth to Taz and then this litter so soon after though. I don't know the gestation period for dogs. I'll have to go and look that up!
Maybe Grace is Taz's aunt though! They sure look alike.

The video of Grace meeting your other dogs is wonderful. They are all so welcoming and she seems very comfortable. It reminded me of a scene out of the show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.

And that video of Taz getting 'busted' in the cupboard! Too funny. He is simply adorable, especially when he is naughty. lol

[Willow Oak]

I looked through your past posts to see where Taz came from. Is he one of the ones that just appeared one day at your house? He looks so much like Grace, I wonder if he could be from a previous litter of hers? There probably wasn't enough time for Grace to give birth to Taz and then this litter so soon after though. I don't know the gestation period for dogs. I'll have to go and look that up!
Maybe Grace is Taz's aunt though! They sure look alike.

Excellent observation! Here is the thread that explains where Taz came from. He was delivered to me by a neighbor who said they found him "near the rail road tracks."

A few months back I had seen a litter of 8 to 10 week old pups in the area where I found this recent litter. I too think that Grace may have been the mother of both litters. It occurred to me that Taz may have been one of that other litter. Who knows, but it is an interesting thought.

[Willow Oak]

Each and every day I drive 1.5 hours from my home at Willow Oak to my office in Memphis, TN. Along the way not far from my house I drive through the Tuscumbia Wildlife Refuge, and it was on this past Thursday morning that I happened upon this guy:



I shall be delivering Grace's pups to the animal shelter today. I had been planning to take Grace in also, but since she is unlikely to be adopted, and since she has fit in so well here I have decided to give her a home at Willow Oak. Grace is very well-behaved and so ..., well she is so full of grace!

This other little guy, who already has a name, would be adopted today if I took him in. Right now I am vasillating on whether to deliver him or not. Of course, I have too many already, but he is so small and not likely to get bigger, surely he won't eat me out of house and home. In addition, he has already been adopted by the other dogs, and Willie too is very well-behaved.

I'm still contemplating this am (5:45 am CDT). The right thing to do would be to deliver him up, but ..., we don't always do the right thing, do we?