The 'Beers of the world' litter
April 12 2010
Here is Andy's story,
After visiting the vet on Friday April 9th it was discovered Tora had a singleton puppy. The Doctor informed me that the puppy was large and should be delivered by C-section. I thought to myself "what a surprise, everything else has been crazy why not this too!"
So the date for the C-section was set for Tuesday the 13th and we headed home for the weekend.
Friday and Saturday came and went as I prepared to have a new born puppy arrive on Tuesday. Sunday came and went and at about 7:30 Sunday evening Tora began to act different. She seemed restless and uncomfortable. Finally she settled and as time past we got ready and headed to bed.
Once in bed Tora again become restless and uncomfortable, knowing how close we were I decided to take her temperature. For those who are unaware an adult dogs temperature is between 101-102 degrees F. Knowing a temperature drop is a sign of puppies to come I checked her temperature...... 98.6. Her temperature dropped just like they said it would, only it was early and on a Sunday night. The books all said whelping can start anytime in the next twenty four hours, but there would be clear signs of labor, contractions etc.
Tora once again settled and it seemed as though she would go the night and we would head to the vet first thing Monday morning.
Then at 4:30 AM Tora woke me and laid down almost on top of me. Within a few minutes she started to shiver (not shivering as I found out in hind site). So I called the emergency vet clinic. They explained this was stage one labor and may last for hours but can very quickly move to stage two labor with big contractions and puppies very soon after.
I hung up the phone and started to get our things ready for the drive to the city.... trying hard not to panic and remember everything I had read and watched in videos... remembering NOTHING!!!!!
As I walked back and sat beside Tora it looked like her stomache did a flip under the skin, here were the big contractions... It's time! A thousand things went through my head all at the same time, it's too early, the puppies to big to come out, it's only Monday!!!
I picked up Tora and we headed to the truck. It's about a forty five minute drive to the city. Although it was no time to panic it is difficult watching Tora in labor and drive at the same time. So I decided to concentrate on driving and get us there safe. I watched her in the mirror and made sure she was ok, and could see every so often a big contraction. Scaredis an understatement but I just kept talking to her and continued to drive.
As I pulled off on my exit I heard a very low squek, I remember thinking to myslef did I really just hear that. I stopped the truck and when I leaned into the back seat, as Tora moved there it was Tora's little puppy! She had delivered, and cleaned the puppy. Tora had even started nursing her. Everyone seemed ok but I wasn't taking any chances.
We continued on to the vet where Tora and her Baby were examined. Tora was in excellent health and had no issues. They weighed the puppy who was just over 1 pound and declared her to be in perfect health as well. We packed everyone up and headed back home.
Tora is an excellent mother and continues to get better everyday, the beautiful little girl is growing and developing as expected and I managed to make it through the whelp and the first 11 days without having a complete nervous break down. Although this story has just begun I am sure there is much more to come. Stay tuned!!!!
Andy.
