Pregnant and on the Street, Taylor finds Refuge with a New Providence, NJ Family

Dumped on the side of the road because she was pregnant and no one wanted her, Taylor became the victim of inhumanity and lax spay-neutering policies.

Taylor, a 1-1/2 year old Corgi, was found in Vidalia Georgia by a southern Georgia rescue.  Due to the uniqueness of the situation Home for Good Dog Rescue was contacted by the rescue.  The South Georgia rescue is one of several rescues that Home for Good has met with on their numerous trips to Georgia and has cultivated a relationship with.

With transportation arranged by and paid for Home for Good Dog Rescue, Taylor arrived safely in New Jersey on Friday, February 24, 2012. She will be cared for by Janet Dorman, a Home for Good volunteer foster, and her family.  The Dorman’s of New Providence, New Jersey have opened their house to Taylor.  It is estimated that she is due within a week or two.  For the next 10 to 14 weeks the Dorman’s will be busy caring for Taylor and her soon to be newborns.

Commenting on the situation, Janet stated “Not knowing when she is due is a little nerve wracking.  She reminds me of myself in the last few weeks of pregnancy. She breathes hard and sometimes rapidly, and looks as though she has swallowed a volley ball.  For all of that, her temper and attitude are positive. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows what's going on.”

According to Janet, Taylor is very affectionate and loving. She was obviously well treated, and shows no sign of fear of humans or the Dorman’s larger dogs.  Taylor is housebroken and walks well on a leash, but doesn't seem to know any commands. The Dorman’s are currently working with her on "sit".

The Dorman’s have built a whelping box for Taylor and her puppies. A whelping box is designed to protect puppies during birth (whelping) and early life by keeping them safely contained, protected from cold, and safe from the danger of crushing or smothering by the mother.

As of this writing, Janet is monitoring Taylor’s temperature about three times a day now.  When it drops and stays at 99 degrees or below, she will whelp within 12 - 24 hours.  So far she's still in the 100+ degree range, which is normal.

Unwanted dog pregnancies are a continuing problem for animal shelters and rescues nationwide. Overcrowding continues to be a problem.  All one needs to do is to visit their local shelter or volunteer with a rescue organization to witness the problem first hand.  

Despite the efforts of animal shelters and rescues to promote spaying and neutering, there is a segment of the population that still does not believe in spaying and neutering. Even at the State government level, numerous States lack spay and neuter laws or policies.

People don’t think about the lives which are involved, it’s not just the mother but also the puppies.  In the rural southern states, unwanted puppies are left to fend for themselves by the side of the road or even worse dumped in a dumpster. “Dumpster diving” is a term some shelters and rescues use when they search dumpsters for puppies that have been abandoned. 

Fortunately for Taylor, she and her pups will have a better life thanks to the Dorman’s, Home for Good Dog Rescue, the South Georgia rescue that found her and the families that will eventually adopt the dogs.

(Note:  This is the first a multi-part series as we follow Taylor through her pregnancy, the birth of the puppies and the eventual adoption of Taylor and her puppies to deserving homes. -RB)

Robert Barnes is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Home for Good Dog Rescue. Home for Good is a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue.

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