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.