Mystery Solved

One mystery is solved – Krimpet is definitely pregnant. The mystery now is when is she due?

At her vet check that confirmed the pregnancy, the vet put her at about 45 days along (gestation period for a dog is between 57-65 days). Counting backwards that means she either got pregnant the day she entered the shelter (almost seven weeks ago or got pregnant at the shelter. I’m going to hope the vet’s off by a few days and she got pregnant shortly before entering the shelter.

If we assume she got pregnant before she came into the shelter by at least a day, that puts her due date anywhere from November 3 to November 12. Of course, Nick will be in China during that time (he always misses out on the fun).

It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a pregnant foster dog, but the excitement is still the same. Watching and wondering and praying real hard that everything goes well.

If you’ve ever ‘whelped’ puppies before, you know mama dogs generally don’t need your help. That said, too often dogs who are pregnant while stray or in a shelter are under a lot of stress and don’t receive the best prenatal care or good nutrition. Since no one knew she was pregnant, Krimpet definitely comes into this already handicapped.

Add to that the fact that she tested positive for Heartworm, Lymes, Erhlichia, and Anaplasmosis which only adds to the physical challenge and stress.

I’m trying to make up for that by feeding her high-quality food, puppy vitamins, healthy treats, daily short walks, and lots of love. And she is easy to love – a sweetheart of a pup, who loves to be cuddled, Krimpet turns those doe eyes on me and I’m putty. Good thing we already have too many dogs.

I’m not sure if it’s a pregnancy urge or if she has always had a paper fetish, but she simply can’t resist paper and has already chewed up more than a few papers and notebooks.

My office is now as tidy as it has ever been. I always had a goal of keeping a clear desk, and for the first time in my life –that’s a reality!

Between birthing her babies and being treated for Heartworm, Krimpet will be with us for at least four more months, which is long enough for this clean desk habit to become permanent.

Heartworm treatment, her spay, and vet care for the puppies is estimated to cost at least $2500. I know that’s a BIG bill for this little rescue operation, so I created a fundraiser to help. Anyone who donates, can also make a guess at the birthdate. If you’re right, you get to pick a name for a puppy! (I’m going with a Tastycake/Hostess treats theme – think Ding Dong, Honey Bun, etc.) To see the fundraiser and help HSSC, click here.

(Facebook is covering the fees until October 31 when their policy changes – so if you plan to donate, do it soon! And if you’d rather not donate via Facebook, you can mail a check made out to HSSC to me 2073 Saumsville Road, Maurertown, VA 22644, and I’ll be sure they get it – be sure to include your guess for the birthdate!)

If you want to follow along with me on this Puppy Watch, be sure to join the Another Good Dog Facebook group where I will post regular updates.

Meanwhile, Gracie Lou has returned from her visit with her other foster home, and is just as adorable as ever. I worry that she will be overlooked once the cottage is overtaken by what are surely to be some ridiculously adorable puppies. This darling dog deserves a home of her own. As I write this, I’m watching her rolling in the grass outside my window with a big grin on her face.

Gracie Lou will make the best company for some lucky person. Her needs are so simple –she loves a comfy spot to sleep, enjoys sun bathing, rolling in the grass, and destroying the occasional stuffed toy. Beyond that, she’s simply happy to be in your company. She has a pretty chill energy. She’s not a dog that will require lots of exercise, just lots of love.

She’s also housetrained, cratetrained (although that’s because we have multiple dogs – I can leave her out by herself in the cottage and she’s never destructive), spayed, microchipped, and up to date on shots. She loves all the people she meets, is quiet (and the few times I’ve heard her bark, it’s a very soft Ruff!). She’s not sure about other dogs, mostly because she hasn’t been around them before. Her early years were spent isolated outside on a chain, which probably also explains why she can so easily entertain herself!

Please help me spread the word about this precious pup. Gracie Lou is easy company for me, but she deserves a real home.

I always forget to tell you about the foster cats! Cinder, Boots, and Trig left last weekend. They’ve moved into the Cat Cafe in Harrisonburg. I have no doubt Trig will charm his way into a new home in short order. Cinder, whose slower to warm up and Boots, who is on the shy side might be there for a while. So, for now, I’m foster cat-less, which is fine because the puppy room is about to be put back in use (as soon as Nick finishes building my new whelping box!).

Until Each One Has a Home,

Cara

For information on me, my writing, and books, visit CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, and occasional foster cat updates (!) be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds.

If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs . Or its follow up that takes you to the shelters in the south One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.

I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

If you’d like to support the work we do (and save the rescue and me some money), shop our Amazon wishlist.

Big thanks to Nancy Slattery and Caitlyn McGarvey, who took all the really good pictures for this post!