Bob--the resident Westie in the foster home--started barking very strangely when he found that Sugar Plum had delivered her first puppy in his crate. All were as startled as Bob but for a different reason: a dog that was supposed to be spayed was having puppies. Once everyone got over the shock, Sugar Plum and the puppies had more mommas and more love than anyone could want. The Westie Club of the South folks brought incredible support in the form of love, experience, and goodies. Each puppy got its first toy and first flowers. More importantly they all got a whelping box, x-pen, puppy crate, hot water bottle, towels, food, formula, scales, baby monitor, and books--lots of books. Sugar Plum and her family went to the vet when the puppies were two-days-old. All were pronounced healthy except Sugar Plum was underweight and the runt--Little Miss Orange--would need bottle feeding. Unfortunately, she wouldn't make it. She is the top white one in the picture of the puppies.

 

Friends and neighbors have also pitched in and, even though these guys will be adopted, they are part of the community here, too. Someone seems always to be watching the Puppycam and will call whenever anything seems amiss. They are simply great.

 

Sugar Plum is an excellent Momma; she loves, protects, and cares for each one. Had it been left solely to her there would have been more casualties. She delivered six live and one immature still born. Sugar Plum did not intuitively break the sacs, sever the umbilical cords, or deal with the placentas. This took human intervention which she didn't seem to mind, even from a man. The reason the pictures don't show the sixth puppy is that everyone assumed she was through delivering. Following these pictures, she took a back-yard break where the last one was born. This would be Miss Blue who right now seems destined to be the alpha of the pack. See the puppy facts page for more information.

 

The whole process took about three hours with Sugar Plum growing more exhausted throughout the night. The bottom picture shows what a messy and wet process whelping is, and the Puppycam shows what a fun and rewarding process it is when you assist.