Last September, AliCarmen Carico told you about Andie the very pregnant Mill Fire dog found roaming the evacuation area. She whelped at the Sanctuary within a few days. When the puppies were five days old, Ali and her husband, Dave, took the family home to foster. I recently followed up with Ali to find out how the seven fire dog puppies were doing and if they had found adopters. They had!
An experienced mom makes all the difference
Ali tells me that Andie was a very attentive mom. She nursed and conscientiously cleaned up after her brood. When they were older, she played with them and taught them proper doggy etiquette. This wasn’t her first rodeo.
We get a lot of young, inexperienced mommas. They’re wonderful dogs but don’t know anything about raising a family. If they stop nursing or don’t nurse enough, caregivers have to step in and bottle-feed or wean early if the pups are old enough. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but experienced moms tend to do better.
Andie had six girls, Tufa, Shale, Mica, Hallie, Allie and little Gabby. Cannon was the only boy. He and Tufa were the largest and the most rambunctious. All of the puppies developed as expected. Except for Gabby, who remained small and vulnerable to her siblings’ roughhousing.
Andie’s good parenting skills paid off. They behaved as all puppies should, curious, playful, increasingly energetic, but they were also well socialized and exceptionally well balanced. They interacted positively with their humans as well as their foster canine and feline siblings. According to Ali, they were “possibly the most loving litter I have ever raised.”
It should come as no surprise,therefore, that by mid-November, all seven fire dog puppies had found homes.
One of the fire dog puppies will be staying with her foster
Gabby was half the size of her biggest siblings and the least active, but she was, and is, a friendly, confident little girl (seen here with Ali’s dog Frieda, not typically a hugger). Unfortunately, Gabby’s wellness exam revealed a strong heart murmur. At the time it wasn’t clear what her prognosis would be.
Later testing revealed inoperable congenital defects. Immediate euthanasia was an option, but Ali and David decided to give her the best life possible for as long as possible. Since she’s not in pain, Rescue Ranch supported that decision.
We have no idea how long she has, but whether it’s days, weeks , months, or more, Gabby will have a good life. We’re so grateful for fosters who are willing to give a little special needs dog like Gabby the affection and warmth of a loving family, despite the inevitable loss.
November 29 is Giving Tuesday and will benefit the Sanctuary
The fire dog puppies were born at the Rescue Ranch Sanctuary in Big Springs. The purpose of the Sanctuary is to save more lives by caring for special cases, which, among others, includes pregnant moms and puppies. PLEASE SUPPORT RESCUE RANCH THIS GIVING TUESDAY.
