[Guest]

ok, so if you all can hang on with me for another 2-3 weeks or whatever well I get all deep and philosophical about life... LOL

Alli delivered her last pup at 9:27am. I waited two hours, gave her the oxytocin shot to flush her out. That was at 11:30.

At 1pm, I figured we were "clear". I had to take Joie's truck to the car stereo place to get the electronics pulled out because I have to turn it back into ford (brand new truck, don't need an extra car payment, but a very hard thing to do when it was your husband's pride and joy). so I left one of my girls here to watch the puppies, figuring she'd just have to babysit, nothing would happen.

We pull back in the driveway at 1:50 and Melissa comes out and say another puppy had been born. I knew it couldn't be good if he hadn't been flushed out with the first oxytocin shot. And I knew that I'd see a very weak puppy when i walked in. And I did.

I picked him up, he was limp. For a millisecond, I came to grips with the fact that he might be gone permanently. But I said no way... He was pretty bad, though. But I rubbed and rubbed and swung and swung and up he came. Started to cry. What a relief! To stay inside for the oxytocin flush, then wait FOUR HOURS to be delivered... Had to be stressful on his little body. Poor guy, but he's so strong now. And I'm so thankful...

Because if that had happened before I got home, I don't think I could have quickly enough described what to do for him. And by no fault of anyone's, except my not being here, he wouldn't have made it.

Just another divine intervention... Thanks, God!

-K

-K

 

[Kris Hunt]

I don't know how you possibly are staying so Strong Kristie, you must be leaning on God very hard through these days. It sounds like you will be do for a vacation in the coming months.

Did you sell all your pups? Keeping a pup?

Kris

 

[FOM]

Ummmm, would it be rude to say I think you should call the little boy "Joie?" Don't know why, but it seem like the right name for him.....

WaterDog's Little Joie - has a ring to it

Lainee

 

[Guest]

I don't know how you possibly are staying so Strong Kristie, you must be leaning on God very hard through these days. It sounds like you will be do for a vacation in the coming months.

Did you sell all your pups? Keeping a pup?

Kris

I don't know if I'm strong or not, but I'm in a position that's making this about as "easy" as it could possibly be... no kids, a job that I can do at my own pace, employees that can cover everything here in my absence, a house that's in my name only, student loans that have been wiped out of existence, good income for at least the next few months esp with holiday boarding, etc.

I do not envy the women who go through this that HAVE to go back to a job where their hours are strict and defined. If I want to sit and do nothing for a few hours in the morning I can. I had already been cutting back on dogs for the fall to work on some other things. So I have about 12-15 fewer dogs here than normal, that allows my girls to take care of them easily with just one person per shift.

If I had to continue working all day every day, take care of a toddler, leave here to go to an office, etc. etc. I know that would make a HUGE difference. If I were at risk to lose my house, I'd be a mess since my house is my business, my job, my income... I'd figure a way out though.

I also had a husband that was gone 3.5 years, trained me well in everything (and I like to think I'm a good student LOL). So I already know how to manage the house, the bills, the dogs' health, etc. I miss having a vet in the house, of course, already... I'm trying to find a vet roommate (NOT romantic, don't get me wrong) just to have someone at my beck and call like Joie was... Poor guy!! Because I'm a chicken little when it comes to the dogs.

Anyway... I'm mentally trained to be independent thanks to Joie's having gone to school out of the country. It was quite tough at first. It was about a six month adjustment. If I were going through that now, I'd be a wreck. But, for all intents and purposes, I'm operating as if he's gone to school. And, in all honestly, I don't think the entirety of the grief has hit me yet because I have people depending on me and Alli and her puppies, etc.

My husband taught me to be calm for the dogs' sake. That took years to learn. It paid off today in spades. As I initially panic for a millisecond and then ... wait, I can do this. I know exactly what to do. We once had a puppy that appeared to go rigamortid and I just stood there and hollered for Joie. Then when he got there, I remembered how to do cpr and it worked. But now my reaction time and focus is much better thanks to him. And it feels like he was here with me because everything with the delivery just went SO smoothly, even the two that came out tired. It was just "too easy" so to speak. So I have lots to be thankful for and I do lean on that. I'm a big believer in signs from God, and I've seen them in plenty the last week and a half.

Vicky and I were joking about that. She talked about the exact time my post "should" be deleted from the puppy forum. And I said "watch, that's exactly when the puppies will arrive"... Well we were a few hours early, but hey.... It would have been 11pm tonight and today is Alli's predicted due date. Oh, well. But there have been plenty of strange things. I could spend a whole post listing them. But they give me hope and strength. Don't get me wrong, it's tough. But I absolutely have faith and always have. Joie and I had it strongly together, too, as no matter how bad things ever got, they always came out in the end... And I look at his death, no matter how much I want him back, as an end to his suffering. Because he did suffer. I just wish he'd had the time to enjoy how hard he worked for his career... But now I know he's at peace, with legs and fingers and with God.

ok, enough of this... Thanks for listening. I'm sure it's going to get tiresome to many and I apologize for it. I try not to ramble on too much.

-K

 

[Guest]

Ummmm, would it be rude to say I think you should call the little boy "Joie?" Don't know why, but it seem like the right name for him.....

Lainee

LOL, not a bad idea...

 

[ErinsEdge]

FYI. Whenever I have a late comer from an oxytocin shot I give another shot. Twice they had one more up there. They are way up high-that's why they aren't seen on xray and take so long to come down.

 

[Guest]

FYI. Whenever I have a late comer from an oxytocin shot I give another shot. Twice they had one more up there. They are way up high-that's why they aren't seen on xray and take so long to come down.

Yeah, I'm about to decide whether I need to go get an z-ray or more oxytocin. Historically, I've had whelpwise and can use the fetal heart rate monitor to find them. Then I was SUPPOSED to have ultrasound with Joie's portable unit. But nobody left has any idea how to use it! LOL Wish he had shown me... But I'm flying blind.

They had seen 8 for sure on x-ray. I'm at 10. Alli seems perfectly comfortable. Hasn't strained in a while. I'm exhuasted. And just trying to determine if I really want to load everyone up and go to the clinic or not..

What do you think??? I know the answer will be "go" but I'm trying to avoid it. SO tired...

-K

 

[jeff t.]

Yeah, I'm about to decide whether I need to go get an z-ray or more oxytocin. Historically, I've had whelpwise and can use the fetal heart rate monitor to find them. Then I was SUPPOSED to have ultrasound with Joie's portable unit. But nobody left has any idea how to use it! LOL Wish he had shown me... But I'm flying blind.

They had seen 8 for sure on x-ray. I'm at 10. Alli seems perfectly comfortable. Hasn't strained in a while. I'm exhuasted. And just trying to determine if I really want to load everyone up and go to the clinic or not..

What do you think??? I know the answer will be "go" but I'm trying to avoid it. SO tired...

-K

Go...if everything is OK it will be good to know..

If not, you will be glad you went.

God Bless You Kristie,

Jeff

 

[Lady Duck Hunter]

Kristie, nobody is going to get tired of listening to you.

Congratulations on the litter.

 

[Boondux]

Congrats on the puppies, Kristie. It great that they all made it.

 

[ErinsEdge]

You do what you feel most comfortable with and if that's running for a quick xray then go for it. I am comfortable with giving one last oxytocin shot. They are usually done. I just made the "rule" and that was always give a shot after the last pup so there are no more because I've had it happen to me and I'm not that close to the vet and don't like to disturb the pups if not necessary.

 

[frontier]

You do what you feel most comfortable with and if that's running for a quick xray then go for it. I am comfortable with giving one last oxytocin shot. They are usually done.

Nancy, Do you normally give the full dose again even if you have given previous shots? I usually go with a half-dose strength injection if I have given previous shot and remaining pup (either live or surviving) is produced. Just comparing notes.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Nancy, Do you normally give the full dose again even if you have given previous shots? I usually go with a half-dose strength injection if I have given previous shot and remaining pup (either live or surviving) is produced. Just comparing notes.

I was just going to say that. You only need to give a small dose, 0.25 usually, actually, you can give 0.1 if you want.

 

[Guest]

Guys, you know I wouldn't normally "not do anything" but for some reason I feel at peace, Alli is resting comfortably, the puppies just woke up from a snooze and are nursing again, I haven't seen any activity at all. And her drainage has been little to nothing except some of the "placental" ooze (blood from the uterus wall I suppose where the placentas detached). They are so peaceful. I feel confident they're ok. May be a dumb move. But we saw 8 on x-ray, got 10. I hope that's all there is.

-K

 

[hughest]

Sometimes the best thing you can do is "Go with Your Gut". You know your dog. Trust yourself.

 

[FetchExpress]

ok, so if you all can hang on with me for another 2-3 weeks or whatever well I get all deep and philosophical about life... LOL

-K

Kristie.... I don't know if you journal or not but sometimes there are some very very profound writings that occur as we deal with things. It also serves to give voice to feelings that are hard to express. Just a thought!

For myself I know I never tire of reading deep and philosophical things.

KC

 

[Kris Hunt]

Ummmm, would it be rude to say I think you should call the little boy "Joie?" Don't know why, but it seem like the right name for him.....

WaterDog's Little Joie - has a ring to it

Lainee

Exactly what I was thinking. Can't imagine any other name.

Kris

 

[Richard Finch]

Kristie,

Congrats on the "miracle puppy."

You sound like an incredibly strong woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you.


God Bless,


Richard

 

[Annette]

kristie Congratulations on a job well done. I trully think that Joie has been there to see you through this and well be there for you always. Little Joie is a perfect name. You are a very strong and loving person. Marie

 

[MRGD]

Glad to hear about the pup Kristie. We just placed our little runt from this litter. I always get so attached to the ones that have some trouble. Have fun with your new litter.

tt