One semi-shock of summer was discovering that our ZoeWee was preggers. Hmmm... We should have studied the YPA book with her sooner, but alas! By mid-June, when she gained about two pounds over night, we realized that puppies were on the way. Prior to her birth, we could see the puppies move and kick from in utero.
(In case you are wondering who's the baby daddy... it's Taco. Sigh.)
Jeff and I did much research on dog pregnancy, labor, and birth. After being schooled by the University of Google and YouTube College, we bought supplies and prepped a whelping box for her... and waited for the Big Day. One of the indicators that labor is near is the mother's temperature. When the mother's temperature drops below 100 F, then she will give birth within the next 24 hours. Lo and behold, the first time that we took her temp, it was around 99! This was a week prior to her projected due date. We spent that anxious day waiting and making sure she was comfortable. Around 4:30 in the afternoon, ZoeWee's labor started. Jeff and I helped her through the process by making sure their amniotic sac was removed and their breathing passages were clear. Other than that, instinct kicked in and ZoeWee did an amazing job delivering her babies and doing all the "mommy" things she was supposed to do. Much to our relief, the enitre delivery went smoothly. ZoeWee gave birth to three healthy, chubby boys!
Jeff and I were both in awe of how incredible the birth process was. Despite the blood and... goo... observing the puppies' birth was a beautiful experience because it reminded us of how wisely we were each designed, all to the praise of our Creator.
I was debating if I should post the videos of the puppies' birth, but decided against it, for the sake of those faint of heart. Here are pics taken shortly after the delivery.
The following are pics from their first week of life:
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