Mia's Litter

After breakfast nap 3 males 2/13/2010
2/14/2010 belly is full

Mia and her puppies eating as usual 2/14/2010

We have been on pins and needles waiting on this litter from Mia. She was bred to CH Sandance Ardastra. We had a x-ray done and 5 puppies have been confirmed Mia is schedule for a c-section as she is on the smaller size and the vet and Linda and I don't want to risk a middle of the night delivery (as happened with Molly and due to poor, neglectful care we lost her singular pup.) Progesterone levels were done and on Monday afternoon Feb. 8 Mia had her section. Linda and I were worried and anxious as we waited they brought out our puppy carrier and showed us 6 puppies somehow one had been missed on the X-ray. All alive but small. After 2 hours we started for home and haven't stopped yet. Mia's milk didn't come in and she woke up to discover all these small creatures climbing around her, she had no idea on what to do. We supplemented by feeding the puppies by the time we were done it was time to feed again. Tuesday brought with it a weak little male that we worked to reverse his condition but we were unsuccessful he died early Wed. morning. We traveled back to our vet with ALL of them. Mia checked ok and we were taught to tube feed the rest of our puppies. (I never thought this was something we have to do.) At midnight we lost a little girl and our last little a girl wasn't doing that well either Linda spent the full day caring for her never letting her out of her sight. Mia's now has milk and the other puppies are eating . I do the night shift with help if I find that I need it. I fed the last little girl during the night, Linda was up at 5:30 and took her from me it was like she was waiting for her as she just took a few more breathes and went to join her sister and brother at the rainbow bridge. We are heartbroken on this loss but realize that they were too small. We did all we could never leaving our whelping room but it wasn't enough to save these 3 beautiful shelties. The other 3 males are eating and growing no problems that we can see. If you have a minute please say a prayer that they continue to thrive. I will add pictures very soon of all the puppies we just haven't had time to catch up. I will also update here every couple of days. Linda and I would like to thank everyone who has sent us best wishes and prayers.