Pregnant Dog
Many rescued dogs are already pregnant when they get to the shelter. Animals often focus on procreation and survival on the streets. However, some rescue stations aren’t equipped to handle pregnant dogs effectively.
Pregnant Dog
Understaffed Station
One station had a veterinarian on staff, but she wasn’t in at the time. A pregnant golden retriever came in and appeared to struggle, so no one knew how to handle the situation. Clearly, the animal needed more attention because of her condition!
Understaffed Station
Long-term Commitment
While she needed help now, that would continue after she had her litter because they’d have puppies to deal with. A senior technician believed that something was “off” about the pregnancy, so they needed to run tests soon.
Long-term Commitment
How to Deal with It
They discussed ways to handle the situation, and some weren’t very pleasant. In fact, they wanted to take it to another shelter, and one person mentioned euthanizing her. Though sad, it had to be considered!
How to Deal with It
Macy Gets Involved
Most of the staff were focused on euthanasia because they were short on employees. However, Marcy was a newer and more inexperienced team member, and decided to give the poor mom-to-be the attention and help she needed.
Macy Gets Involved
Her Experience
Macy experienced happy dogs with caring owners, but a trip to Indonesia changed all that. She often saw sick and malnourished animals that were left to wander the streets. Though she was there to help people, it broke her heart to see all the poor dogs!
Her Experience
Doing Research
Once Macy returned to the US, she researched street dogs and ways to help them. She was shocked to learn how many there were, and not just in her hometown. There were also tons in the big city near her home.
Doing Research
Helping Puppies
From then on, Macy decided to help the puppies. Once she turned 18, she applied at a rescue center in Boston. In fact, she got hired immediately because there weren’t enough employees. She was full of determination and hope!
Helping Puppies
Bella, the Golden Retriever
It was only Macy’s second week when the pregnant golden retriever came in. Macy stepped in for Bella’s sake when they started talking about euthanizing her. She couldn’t stand for that because of convenience only.
Bella, the Golden Retriever
Overtime
Therefore, Macy offered to work overtime for free to give Bella extra care and finish her normal duties. The station’s manager appreciated the offer and allowed Macy to take charge of Bella. She decided the dog was going home with her!
Overtime
Working Two Jobs
Macy traveled from her home to the station for a few weeks, working both jobs. It was lucky she lived close to the shelter, and her roommate liked dogs and helped out. Macy truly thought things were going well, but it became complicated.
Working Two Jobs
Struggling
The other team members tried to help Macy with her tasks, but she still struggled. Bella was in the last part of her pregnancy and was doing poorly. In fact, Macy was going to the vet more often, which added stress to everyone.
Struggling
Money and Time
The vet trips cost Macy a lot of money, and she wondered if it was worth all the fuss. What might happen to Bella and her puppies when they were born? Macy couldn’t take care of them forever, and she was trying to think of other options.
Money and Time
Bella’s Important
Macy tried putting her worries aside to focus on Bella’s health and that of the puppies. The doctor kept her stable with special medication. However, the vet seemed too interested in the mom’s ultrasound rather than in anything else.
Bella’s Important
Strange Puppies
The veterinarian couldn’t make out much, but she was almost positive that Bella hadn’t done the deed with another golden retriever or any other dog, for that matter. These puppies seemed strange. However, Macy didn’t think it was possible.
Strange Puppies
Examining the Ultrasound
After showing the ultrasound pictures to a few colleagues, no one could determine what was “off” about the puppies. It all started to worry Macy, and she wondered if they were unhealthy. Since she was putting in so much money, she didn’t want the pups to die.
Examining the Ultrasound
History of Street Dogs
Bella was a street dog, so just about anything could have impregnated her. What might Macy deal with when they were born? Would they look like puppies? Macy just wasn’t sure it was possible, though the vet believed they weren’t dogs!
History of Street Dogs
Almost Time
Macy demanded to know more, and the vet said the babies were healthy. She was informed that Bella would give birth soon, so Macy took off work to be at home for the dog. Overall, she knew her place was with Bella at this time!
Almost Time
Bonding with Bella
Macy started bonding with Bella. Though the dog struggled, she could feel the love Bella wanted to give, so she began to fall in love with the animal. However, that brought other hardships along with it!
Bonding with Bella
Small Apartment
Macy lived in a small apartment and had little money to support herself, so it would be hard to add Bella and the puppies into the mix. She just couldn’t figure out how to do it, but she loved Bella. In fact, she vowed to help the best she could.
Small Apartment
Can’t Think
What could Macy do with the puppies? She could make it work with Bella but not the rest of the gang. She wished she had more time to come up with a plan, but Bella was about to give birth, so that wasn’t a possibility!
Can’t Think
Going into Labor
Bella went into labor that night, even though Macy had hoped for a daytime birth. However, her luck just wasn’t there at the present time. It was 2 a.m., and Macy had to figure out what to do quickly.
Going into Labor
Monitoring Bella
Before she’d gone to bed, Macy set up a baby monitor in Bella’s dog pen so that she could wake up if the dog went into labor. She knew it was soon but couldn’t be awake 24/7. It was a good thing she did that!
Monitoring Bella
Going to Bella
Naturally, Macy was exhausted after the last few weeks, so it took a moment to realize Bella had gone into labor. Quickly, she got dressed and hoped for the best. Bella was in the early stages, so she breathed a sigh of relief at that point.
Going to Bella
Bella’s State
Bella was breathing heavily, and her body shook with each breath. Macy grabbed a bucket of water and towels. Hopefully, the pen Bella was in would contain the mess, but Macy still had to do her part.
Bella’s State
Limited Help
Though Macy wanted to help, Bella was pretty much on her own right now. She made sure the dog knew she was there by stroking her face. It took roughly half an hour before Macy saw the first puppy emerge.
Limited Help
Feeling Nervous
A wave of excitement and nervousness came over Macy. She didn’t know what the puppies would look like or what Bella mated with. However, it was clear she’d find out soon. The suspense was maddening!
Feeling Nervous
Not Excitement
Macy’s excitement turned to shock when she saw Bella’s first puppy. The spots, nose, and legs made her wonder if it was a dog at all! In fact, it didn’t look like a dog Macy had seen before. It was almost like a baby cow!
Not Excitement
Never Seen Before
Macy hadn’t seen a dog like that before, and how was any of this possible? Dog genetics can get weird, but the puppies should have resembled Bella a little, at least. That just hadn’t happened, and now Macy was worried!
Never Seen Before
More Cow Puppies
Macy couldn’t worry about that because more puppies were on the way. The next one came, and it resembled the first. Why did these pups look like cows? Macy actually pinched herself to make sure it wasn’t a dream!
More Cow Puppies
A Long Labor
Overall, it took 2.5 hours for labor, and she finally saw the entire litter in her small apartment. It was now 4:30 a.m., and Macy thought she was seeing things. The puppies each looked strange, and this had actually happened!
A Long Labor
Watching Things
Unsure of what to do, Macy stayed up the rest of the night to keep an eye on the animals. She planned to take them to the shelter in the morning so that the veterinarian could explain the situation, hopefully!
Watching Things
Needing
Answers
The sun started rising, and Macy couldn’t draw her eyes away from the strange litter. Was she seeing things, or was something wrong with them? Hopefully, the veterinarian could provide answers, though she still felt like it was a dream.
Needing Answers
The Shelter
As soon as possible, Macy loaded the questionable puppies and Bella into the car and headed to the animal shelter. She got there before anyone else because she wanted clarity so badly. Still, it wasn’t the most important thing right then.
The Shelter
Important Things
Macy wanted to make sure that Bella and the pups were healthy. The vet could give them a checkup when she arrived. Finally, that happened, so Macy took them into the exam room. Before going to work, the vet raised an eyebrow!
Important Things
Concerns
Bella was healthy, though tired. However, the vet realized how strange the puppies looked. Eventually, she had to figure out what caused this. Her thought was that Bella mated with a Dalmatian that had dominant genes.
Concerns
Cow Features
The seemingly cow-like features were likely from them being born about a month too soon. Therefore, everything hadn’t developed in the womb. Still, that led to more questions, such as why Bella went into labor quickly.
Cow Features
At Risk
The vet believed that Bella suffered trauma while on the streets, which caused the premature labor. However, that meant the puppies’ health was at risk. Luckily, the veterinarian said they could stay at the shelter for observation.
At Risk
Healthy Puppies
The puppies survived and started thriving. Soon, they were old enough to wean and put up for adoption. Each puppy found a home in about two weeks. Plus, they no longer looked like cows and had Dalmatian-Retriever features.
Healthy Puppies
Bella and Macy
Though the puppies were popular with families, Bella was older and had seen a lot. Macy chose to adopt her to give her a better life. Plus, she continues to work at the shelter and brings Bella in to play and cheer up the other animals!
Bella and Macy