Two emergencies…one remarkable Mommy dog 
 

      Emergency caesarian section.  The words are chilling.  But in Bridget’s situation there was no choice.  The little 7 pound Dachshund blend had gone into labor in the early morning hours and after 2 hours had not delivered a puppy.  The emergency clinic had examined her swiftly and concluded she could not deliver without immediate surgery.

      This story began in late June when a rescue from Los Angeles brought down a group of dogs to the Center.  Bridget was one of them.  A bright, active little girl she loved romping with her friend, Cinnamon, who looked much like her.  Both were small, about 7 pounds each and both were a beautiful reddish brown.   We didn’t know it then, but their friendship was to be even closer in a short time.

      We determined Bridget and Cinnamon were pregnant within a few days of their arrival and foster homes were arranged for each.  The girls were happy in their new homes, and the doting foster families loved them and made them feel part of a family.

      Then came the night that Bridget went into labor.  A flurry of phone calls started, the foster coordinator was called, and the staff veterinarian was called, all on a Saturday morning before 6am.  There was no hesitation in the decision, if the dog needed emergency surgery we would make sure that surgery was done. 

      Later that Saturday afternoon, Bridget went back to her foster home with her brand new puppies.  One had been stillborn, but she still had 4 wriggly fat puppies to love.

      But that is not the whole story.  About 2 weeks later Cinnamon delivered her puppies.  Unfortunately one puppy, Basil, was not nursing well.  After a hospital stay and a night with our medical staff person, the foster family who was caring for Bridget was contacted for help.  They were experienced in bottle feeding and Basil was transferred to their home. 

      And then the special part.

      Little Bridget decided that she would nurse her friend’s puppy.  So Bridget now has 5 little furry babies and all are doing well.  Cinnamon is doing well with her remaining puppy.  The two dog friends now have an even stronger bond.  If Bridget had not been in a foster home, she would probably not have survived the birth of her puppies.  Cinnamon’s little puppy Basil would probably have had a much harder time without our fosters care of him.  We are so blessed to have such support in the community and to have been able to help these two remarkable mommies and their families.