Clare is an experienced foster carer, over 90 dogs have been in her life. But Rosie’s litter is the first time she has had the privilege of caring for a pregnant dog and their puppies. She shares the experience and what it means for Rosie.
It feels very special to have Rosie’s trust. Especially as when she arrived, she was wary and showing all the common signs of a dog who has never had much human contact, or kindness. Of course I like that she has the care and support this time around, something her previous deliveries would have lacked. But, it is certainly not something I would ever want to put one of my beloved pets through. The risks of death to mum and pups, the pure distress in her eyes when labour started, the pain she was in through labour. Even pre labour she looked seriously fed up and uncomfortable. I will never know what Rosie has experienced before her time with me but for some dogs the actual mating can be painful, unwelcome and traumatic.
I enjoy sharing the positive side of fostering, and the happiness of Rosie’s successful delivery and her care of her puppies. However, there is a lot I do not share on social media. The very stressful times, the blood and mess, the worries about one or other of the puppies passing away or not thriving. Or soon after delivery, the worries about retained matter, or developing an infection; she could get hypocalcaemia while nursing which could be fatal in hours if not caught. I felt awful in the days when I took the other dogs out and Rosie whined because she wanted to come.
I nursed a sick runt foster called Titch a year or two ago, he was fully expected not to survive the night after seeing the vet but I syringe fed him hourly for about 50 hours before he passed away in my bed. I’ve seen a lot of traumatic, hideous things as a paramedic but watching a tiny defenseless puppy gasp his last breath has stuck with me more than most of what I’ve seen in 20+ years of ambulance work.
It is very easy to see Rosie with her puppies and think ‘how cute’, ‘she’s such a good mum’ because both are true. She is and they are.
But when we think she has spent her entire life doing this over and over again makes it far less sweet.
Going through that fed up of being heavy and uncomfortable for the last trimester, vomiting, diarrhoea.
What were the conditions she was kept in like? Was she cold? Uncomfortable? Lonely?
I saw desperation in her face when she first went into labour. I doubt anyone was there to comfort her all those times before.
The pain of the birth, the constant cleaning up of the pups, the exhaustion, the hormonal changes, the upset stomach, feeling drained and dehydrated, having to be defensive and fend off any other dogs, being grappled at by lots of little claws and teeth with dry, sore, nipples.
If she had not left the breeding industry when she did, once she had recovered, she would have been put to mate again, just so that somebody can get paid for everything that she is going through.
Looking at Rosie running around the field or snuggled on the sofa having fuss, she looks contented and happy. But I know she is tired and fed up too. But, she is still keeping on top of all the pups needs day and night.
I look forward to the day she is free of this revolving door of stress on her body and able to just be a much loved dog.
She still has 6 weeks + left of this, then she’ll go through spaying when she’s well enough and will recover from that surgery.
Then, finally she can enjoy her summer and the rest of her life as a beloved friend and nothing more.
