Life with puppies!

Puppies, just the word brings smiles to most peoples faces and if it doesn't too bad, more for me. Many of you ooh and aah at these tiny little bundles of cuteness who come in literally all shapes colors and sizes, but just as many are unaware of the behind the scenes of puppy rescue and raising. So, before you run out and fill your home with puppies.... read on. First of all, You'll need some place warm, since most pups can't survive the first week without an air temp of around 80 degrees. If it's late spring up to early fall you might just be able to get away with a few blankets in the garage, but if it's winter and you live in a house made for "little" people like I do, this is where they go........ Your dining room. We only ever ate in here once anyhow, so no big loss. It's also temporary, so we can accept it. Then there's all the extra needed space for all those blankets and towels that will never be used for ANYTHING but dogs, ever again. Plus the large bins to hold all the dog food and the dewormer and the supplements for a nursing momma. Then you have the cleaning supplies and the emergency supplies, which should always be reachable from a kneeling position on the floor, which is exactly where you'll be in any emergency involving a dog or puppy. You'll need scales for weighing those wiggly pups every other day. You must make sure they're gaining the proper amount of weight. A bottle or two with "infant" nipples for giving that tiniest puppy a better chance, and last, but not least, a thermometer.... YAY!! In case you're still oblivious..... it doesn't go in their mouth. Then there's the "emergency" bathroom set-up Again, if you're lucky enough to be using that garage I talked about.... GREAT!!! If not, and you have 169 yr old hardwood floors, then you put paper on the nearest linoleum, which happened to be my kitchen of all places, and you pray that Momma learns to pee on paper. Fortunately, we've been blessed with pups that love the Washington Post. Then there's this.... The laundry part. Momma and her pups are at least a daily load of laundry. See, puppies pee.... A LOT. Momma may actually clean up their poop which grosses me out, but their little piddles get absorbed in the bed and it must be washed. Momma is also still bleeding for a few weeks after delivery, which makes for lots of spot cleaning and bleaching of laundry. So now you have all the necessary items in place and a secure comfortable spot for momma to raise her pups in. Now you need to take care of Momma. She can't help but get a little messy and you need to do everything in your power to make sure she doesn't feel bad about needing a little mini shower.... EVERY DAY! Granted she does her best at cleaning, but there's only so much that she can get. Having an extension shower head is the perfect accessory. Daily washing of this caked on blood is the only thing that keeps the smell gone. Lets not forget the sanitary benefits of daily washing. Plus..... THIS momma loves the shower! Again, we were seriously blessed. A happy healthy devoted Momma, with 10 happy and healthy little babies.

Who cares that my mornings start at 5:30!!!!!! I still have two other dogs, 4 cats, Steve and a house to run. Occasionally I try to be social, but these days that's limited to phone calls and e-mails.

Short trips to the store, and the once in awhile visit, from puppy oglers.

Like I said, my day starts between 5:30 and 6am. I take Dash n Roux out for a quick little walk.

I leave them out on the patio while I come in to get Maggie, who's ALWAYS ready to go out.

After all the dogs have greeted one another (like they've been missing for years) we come back in for a feeding frenzy. First I feed momma, because when she's done.... the puppies will need her back. Then I feed Dash n Roux..... always excited to see if maybe just maybe that dream they had where the food bin filled up with prime rib had come true. Unfortunately NOT, but they still eat.

Then it's coffee time, well time to make the coffee. Then I fix Steve's breakfast and get his lunch and vitamins out. I line it all up for that "Dagwood" rush to the door so he makes his train.

I do the dishes, pour my coffee and once again I take the dogs out. This time is a little less chaos, but just as exciting for three pups who can't remember the last time they got to go out.... LOL!

Back inside, they all settle down for awhile, giving me time to photograph grunting pups or to just sit quietly with my coffee and be thankful.

It's hard work, it's dirty work, it's often inconvenient, but no matter what it is at any given moment.... it's ALWAYS worth it.