Molly gave Bear a big, comforting smile. She didn’t need an overly protective German Shepherd on her right now. Bear was very attentive, but had Bart’s arm firmly around him.
She gently slid her hand inside Shadow and immediately felt a pup sideways at the opening. She managed to get a grip on the pup and pulled it out. It wasn’t moving. Shadow moved in quickly to groom the pup, but Molly could see it wasn’t breathing.
“Okay, Vivian, I’ve got the problem pup out and it doesn’t appear to be breathing. I’m going to remove the pup from Shadow and see if I can resuscitate it.” Molly took the pup and her suction cup off to the side.
Bart said, “Here comes Pup six.” Molly looked over to see Pup six making its way out. That diverted Shadow’s attention so Molly could work on Pup five.
“Vivian, any advice for this pup that’s not responding?”
“Work the suction cup and make sure the breathing passage is open. Was the cord cut when you pulled it out?”
Molly looked. “Yes, it was already severed.”
Vivian said, “The cord was probably prematurely broken. It’s probably too far gone, but give it everything you can. How’s Pup six?”
Bart said, “Pup six is breathing and getting a thorough cleaning from Shadow, and I can see Pup seven.”
Molly worked for about five minutes on Pup five before being convinced it was too late. “I’m afraid we lost Pup five.”
Vivian said, “That’s too bad, but it’s not unusual in a big litter to lose one or two. How’s Pup seven?”
Bart said, “Very active. Looks healthy.”
Vivian said, “Okay, unless you need me, I’m going to sign off. Good job, Molly. After all the pups are out, you’ll want to close the incision with a couple stitches.”
“Yes, no problem. I’m just so sad we lost Pup five.”
“Yes, too bad. But, you’re probably going to have ten healthy pups, so that’s good.”
“Thank you, Vivian. I’ll let you go.”
“Good luck, and call if you need me.”
“Will do. Bye.”
The rest of the birthing process went quickly. The pups wiggled to freedom and were welcomed into the world with Shadow’s active tongue.
Molly was sad over Pup five, a male, and set him aside where Shadow and Bear couldn’t see him. They completed the process of putting on numbered collars and taking photos. Molly then stitched up Shadow, giving her lots of atta girls and scruffs.
“Oh, girl, you did such a good job. What a big, beautiful family you have now.”
Shadow couldn’t keep her eyes or tongue off the little furry balls squirming around on the whelping pad. All the pups had numbered collars and had been photographed.
“We need to get you outside so you can pee and drink some water. We’ll leave Bart and Bear in charge here. Let’s you and me go outside.”
To Bart, she said, “Shadow isn’t going to want to leave her litter, but I’m going to make her. You and Bear stay here and monitor the pups. We’ll be back in a few minutes, then we can start the first feeding.”
Molly manhandled the whimpering Shadow out of the pantry and outside where she had a bowl of water. Once outside, Shadow relieved herself and let Molly clean and apply antiseptic with a plastic glove to the birth area and stitches. Molly gave Shadow a couple of her favorite biscuits and made her drink some water. Once she started drinking, she drank a lot. Molly finally let her return to the whelping pen.
Once in the pen, Molly positioned Shadow so the pups could get at the feeding stations. Like the miracle that it was, the pups knew exactly what to do.
Bart made a pot of coffee and brought a cup to Molly who was sitting on the floor in the pantry enjoying the feeding scene. The coffee tasted good.
She was spent. She hadn’t expected to do surgery, and the loss of Pup five weighed on her harder than she expected. It wasn’t the money. She just had an amazing affinity to the new pups, like they were hers, which they were. She and Shadow were a team and the pups were their new family. Molly acutely felt the responsibility.
Bart had taken Bear outside for some fresh air and exercise and returned, Bear guarding Shadow, Bart with a cup of coffee sitting on the floor next to Molly.
“What’s next?”
