Joliet Man Fosters Dog; Puppies

At the end of the day, it was a photograph that moved the heart of local photographer Ryan Kolodziej to foster a pregnant dog.

"I couldn't say no," he said. "The picture was very depressing; she was very scared and very pregnant."

Ruby was featured on the Chicago Animal Control Web site. Local Plainfield rescue Annie's Little Angels Humane Society wanted to take Ruby in, but they did not have a foster home for her. Until Kolodziej stepped forward.

When Ruby first arrived at Kolodziej's home, she was not very affectionate.

"She kind of just laid there next to me and did not move for a couple days," he said.

Less than a week after her arrival, Ruby was having contractions. As Kolodziej was preparing to transport Ruby to the vet, she gave birth to the first puppy.

"I helped her to give birth," he said. "I literally cut the cords.

"It was scary; it was fun, it was every emotion rolled into one."

Kolodziej, who is studying to be a veterinary assistant, has a dog of his own as a pet. He has fostered before. In fact, he grew up watching his mom foster cats.

"My mom would always bring in a stray and it was always pregnant," he said

And while he has fostered before as an adult, this is the first time he has fostered a pregnant animal. And, he said he would do it again.

"After doing this, I am definately going to do it again in the future," he said.

Ruby gave birth to five puppies. Two passed away in the first couple days. But not before they were named. With the help of a rescue in Indianapolis, the naming rights for the puppies were sold to the highest bidder.

Rudy's three remaining puppies will be available for adoption in about six weeks. Ruby has a family waiting to adopt her. To find out more information about adopting the surviving puppies, follow the Annie's Little Angels Humane Society Facebook page.

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