10/19/2024
Yesterday, Jett-Jett's 2nd Chance Nursery, Inc. did a thing. :)
I received a text from Forsyth County Animal Shelter asking if we could take 7 one-week old puppies. Earlier in the week, 17 dogs and puppies were brought in from an abandoned property. These dogs were living in a large fenced-in area with no human contact. Neighbors were throwing food and water over the fence for them. Animal control took possession of the dogs - and most, if not all, of the dogs acted like they had never encountered a person before in their lives.
These 2 mommas stayed huddled together in a corner with their pups and were so fearful they were shaking uncontrollably, using the bathroom all over themselves and the puppies if approached by a human, and would kick the puppies out of their way when trying to get away from a human.
The animal shelter kept the 2 mommas and puppies together in the quietest part of the shelter - not separating them because the mommas felt comfort in each others presence and partly because the shelter employees couldn't tell which pup belonged to which mom.
Fearing the mommas were feral, they began looking for a rescue to take the 7 puppies.
We texted back and forth a few times and I agreed that our Nursery could take the 7 puppies. While driving to the shelter, I chatted with one of our board members, Jeannette Maes. As a rescue, we never want to separate puppies from their momma (and neither does the shelter). Jeannette Maes and I agreed that I would observe both mommas with the pups and make a gut decision on if it was best to separate the pups from their mommas. Sometimes the options in rescue aren't great. Sometimes you just can't save them all. Sometimes you have to know your limits and make the tough call to save 'some but not all'....no matter how heartbreaking it is.
I arrived at the shelter and Chelsea took me back to the mommas and pups. She and I both sat on the floor, observed, and talked about what she had seen with the mommas' behavior. The mommas were VERY fearful, but were not the least bit aggressive. They were confused and unsure. Although very fearful, they both nursed puppies while we sat quietly and observed.
Taking a leap of faith, I felt we should give all of them a 2nd chance - and all 9 of them would come to our Whelping Room #2.
In order to protect the puppies from the mommas' kicking them aside while trying to get away from us, Chelsea and I felt it best to take the puppies out of the run first. Both mommas let us handle the pups and put them in a separate carrier. Once the pups were safe, we decided on how to best get the mommas into a kennel. Surprisingly, both mommas allowed Chelsea to pick them up and put them inside the transport kennel. Both immediately relieved themselves out of fear, but that was to be expected.
I arrived home around 5:30pm and got them into the double Whelping box. I gave them fresh water, fresh food, a soft blanket, a lamp for light, and some soft radio music. Before giving them privacy, I set up a camera so Lolly and I could keep an eye on them.
I have been in and out of the room a few times and both mommas are (obviously) still very fearful. I have gently tossed treats to them, which they ate and spoke to them every time I entered the room. Maybe it's just me being hopeful, but I feel they aren't as scared as they were yesterday at the shelter.
This morning I will set up the 6-ft high kennel around the whelping box, giving the mommas the option of exploring their part of the room outside of the box. Later this weekend, I'll set up the outdoor kennel so they can have the option of going inside/outside.
Once Neymira (husky) and her band of adorable 7-week old pups head off to the Humane Society of Wilkes in a week or two, I will separate the mommas and pups. By then I should know which pups belong to which momma and separating the mommas will help each of them build individual confidence. Little steps though.
So here's to taking some leaps of faith. A leap of faith that the mommas can be rehabilitated enough to truly be happy and not live in fear. A leap of faith that they all will find their forever homes. And a leap of faith that another rescue will be willing to join our very small rescue in helping us complete the circle of rescue.
You will see lots of updates and pictures of this crew over the next couple months. Here are some pictures of when they first got here yesterday evening. My phone camera simply does not take the best pix. The last picture is from last night, taken with the baby-cam. It was nice to see them somewhat relaxed.
Please join us in welcoming Rosie and Ruby and their babies - every single one of them worth taking that leap of faith.
