Where was I this evening?

[Nettle]

Holding the hand (metaphorically ) of a young man breeding his first litter. Seven pups so far: two biggies and the rest normal size (they'll all end up the same size).

Mother and puppers doing well.

It's a miracle every time. How well they manage, especially compared to us. Wonderful.

[Mattie]

You are so lucky Nettle, it is a long time since I saw any animals giving birth, it is something you never forget.

[Leigha]

Awww! That's really sweet! I remember my first!

[Fundog]

(sigh) I remember "helping" my mama cat give birth to kittens when I was a teen. Isn't birth a fantastic experience? No matter what species it is, it is awesome, every time.

[wvvdiup1]

(sigh) I remembered helping a couple of my dogs and a cat giving birth, how a birth is a miracle, and watching the men in my family pass out when the after-birth came! It is a really special time and a miracle though!

[Leigha]

I saw my cat give birth when I was 7 or 8. When I asked my mom what she was doing when she was "cleaning" up the kittens my mom told me that all mothers did that, humans included. I was convinced that when I had a baby I was going to have to do that as well, so I swore of children for a long time because of that.

[wvvdiup1]

Had my mother told me that, I think I would have put off having kids myself, too!

[Nettle]

Awww! That's really sweet! I remember my first!

I bet you do!!!!!

I went back today with some towels and things for the new PuppyPapa. Total 10 puppers. All gorgeous, obviously.

[wvvdiup1]

Nettle, I was going to ask how the puppies and mother was doing, but your post answered my questions! Thanks!

[thepennywhistle]

(sigh) I remembered helping a couple of my dogs and a cat giving birth, how a birth is a miracle, and watching the men in my family pass out when the after-birth came! It is a really special time and a miracle though!

Birth truly is a miracle. That first breath, where they 'switch on' and become
living beings is something so magical. But I know what you mean about the
guys. LOL! I remember my guy helping me with a cat who was delivering.
He'd never seen anything born before, and was just enthralled -- until the cat
delivered a breech kitten, and the sac didn't rupture. This was taking place in
a tiny bathroom. The cat was in the bathtub, and his enormous shoulders were
taking up any access to cat and kitten. And he panicked.

"It's not breathing!"

"I know. Move over."

"It's DYING! DO SOMETHING!"

(Getting him to budge was hopeless, so I changed requests.) "I will. Hand it to me."

"What?!"

"Pick it up and give it to me! Hurry!

NO! I'm not touching that!

A hard shove to 6'4' Mr. Squeamish, and I managed to reach the kitten,
then further grossed him out by giving it a couple of breaths to get it
started. Kitten was fine, Mr. survived, and all was well, but I still laugh
about his reaction. He was a big, brave guy, willing to help me hold
frightened, bleeding horses and cats with abscesses, etc, but he wasn't
about to touch birthing ickies. I thought he was going to throw up
while he watched me spreading out a mare's foaling membranes to see if
she'd delivered all of it. It's okay. He turned out to be a closet
kitty and puppy kisser -- between the ears, but only if no one was
looking

Leigha, I'll breathe for puppies and kittens if they need the help getting going,
but if anyone had told me I had to lick clean any baby I'd given birth to I'd have
taken a vow of celebacy!

[thepennywhistle]

Holding the hand (metaphorically ) of a young man breeding his first litter. Seven pups so far: two biggies and the rest normal size (they'll all end up the same size).

Mother and puppers doing well.

It's a miracle every time. How well they manage, especially compared to us. Wonderful.

He was lucky to have you, Nettle. It can be a scary thing and a huge responsibility, first time,
and you are a very kind person to take the time to help him through it. Glad they are all doing
well. Cheers for Nettle!

What kind of puppies are they?

[wvvdiup1]

Thepennywhistle wrote:

Leigha, I'll breathe for puppies and kittens if they need the help getting going,
but if anyone had told me I had to lick clean any baby I'd given birth to I'd have
taken a vow of celebacy!

Too late to take the vow of celebracy! The proverbial stork has landed and "handed" you a baby!

[Nettle]

They are lurcher puppies, thepennywhistle. They'll be long and pointy and elegant one day - but for now they are little squeaky fuzzy maggots.

I should have loved someone to have been there when I birthed my first litter It all went horribly wrong, and the vet was an idiot. Dog ended up having a caesarian and I ended up hand-rearing seven pups. If I'd known then what I know now, she'd've had a normal birth. I'd arranged two people who were breeders to help me and they both let me down at the last minute. It was a bad time.

So I help where I can. I'm down for midwife duties at the end of the month again, and that'll be it for a while!

[***Melissa***]

Aww, how sweet. I've never experienced anything giving birth.

Nettle, can you put up some piccies? I desperately need a pupper fix after reading this

[Nettle]

If we all ask Emms pwetty pweeeeze she might put some up for me