Greetings to all.

Thought I’d introduce my pups.

There’s Sandy, my 2 yr old (approximate) red Golden Retriever, and one of her pups, Sheeba. Sheeba appears to have parentage of Laborador Retriever in her. Some say Flat Coated Retriever. *shrug* I dunno for sure.

Sandy was a rescue dog. She was living not far from here and her existence was terrible. Many people complained and contacted the authorities, but nothing was really done other than giving a fine to the previous owner and asked her to take the dog to the vet. They didn’t take good care of her. Sandy came to us pregnant and very malnourished. She was tied outside to a tree and had no dog house. Here’s a “before” picture taken the day after she came to live with us. Below will be an “after” picture. Notice the lack of nose pigmentation. She was one sick doggie.

Other people approached the previous owner and asked her to surrender the dog for the dog’s sake and the owner finally agreed. Then Sandy came to live with us just a few months ago, on November 6, 2007.

We took her to the vet and the vet was very concerned about Sandy’s health. Her gums were pale and he was concerned that she had a uterine infection. But no, she was just pregnant. He performed a blood test and found Sandy was very anemic. Her nose lacked pigmentation and all she wanted to do was sleep.

We had her only 8 days before she gave birth. Sandy had 10 puppies! They were a mixed little bunch. There were two black puppies, 2 brown with black faces, 5 cream/golden, and 1 brindle. We kept the black female and that’s Sheeba, who’s now 3 months old.

A few puppies were adopted locally and the rest went to a special foster/rescue organization and all but one have been adopted now. The last pup to be adopted has a grade 3 heart murmur. They don’t know if it will improve or not. That puppy may have a short life. I hope someone adopts him at least so he doesn’t spend his entire life in doggie foster care without a forever home of his own.

Poor Sandy doesn’t need any more puppies, and so she will see the vet again in April to be spayed. Sheeba’s turn will come a bit later. I never, ever want to go through the whole puppy process again. They ruined a section of our wood floor and almost drove us into debt with the food costs and vet bills.

Anyway without further adieu, here’s a couple of photos of my doggies!