Taylor Gives Birth to a St. Patricks’ Day ‘Clann’ of Nine

Last month I introduced you to Taylor, a pregnant Corgi mix that was left by the side of the road in Georgia to fend for herself.  Today I am happy to report that Taylor is doing fine and has given birth to nine wonderful puppies.  Here is an update.

The day prior to giving birth Taylor was restless and needy; she kept scratching at her bedding and wanted to snuggle.  As she got down to the wire, she placed herself in the corner of the whelping box, as if to protect her backside and faced the door.

After a long drawn out waiting period, the big day finally arrived on March 6th 2012.  In total, 9 puppies were born.  The biggest surprise came overnight.  ”I thought Taylor was all finished “commented Janet Dorman, a Home for Good volunteer foster, “I had changed the bedding, counted 8 puppies, then went to bed.  When I checked on her at 5 AM the next morning, there were 9 puppies in the whelping pen.”  The whelping process lasted approximately 8 to 12 hours. 

One of the most fascinating things noticed during the whole event was how perfectly nature and instinct carried Taylor through the whelping process and continued to guide her as she nurtured and cared for her litter.  Taylor is all that could be desired in a mom and even though tired and hungry, she was in constant care of her newborns.

During the first couple of weeks she rarely left their side.  Daily activities consisted of eating and sleeping followed by more eating and sleeping.  Eating for 10 and caring for her pups was not an easy task.  After a few weeks, Taylor recovered her playfulness and enjoyed short jaunts in the backyard while the puppies were napping.  She clearly wants to rejoin family life, and be with people.

The nine puppies, five females and four males, have all been named now in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

The five females are: Fiona, Claire, Rory, Ciara, and Mary.

The four males are: Carroll, Darcy, Owen, and Fergus.

Born initially with their eyes closed, the puppy’s eyes opened about 2 weeks after they were born. Initially after birth they rapidly put on weight.  At birth they each weighed between 0.5 and 0.75 pounds.  At 8 days old, they were already between 1.0 and 1.25 pounds.  Today they are between 2 and 3 pounds.

Taylor was adopted on Wednesday April 11th, 2012 to a very nice family from Hawthorne, NJ.  Her puppies will be ready for adoption in approximately 2 weeks.  Please check the Home for Good website, www.homeforgooddogs.org or visit their Facebook page to view Taylor's puppies.

It is important to note that Taylor and her “clann” are very lucky.  Pregnant dogs are considered a drain on a shelter’s resources (time, space, food, medical services and shelter staff).  This is why pregnant dogs are often terminated with their unborn pups by shelters that do not have the available resources.

Fortunately, dog rescues such as Home for Good have recognized this problem and are stepping in to save and care for the pregnant mothers and their newborns.  While this requires a long 8 to 12 week commitment from the rescues, their volunteer fosters and money, it is something that is also very rewarding; knowing that lives were saved and that the dogs will live out their lives in good homes.  The families that adopt these dogs will be blessed with all the joy that comes with caring for a dog.

(Note:  This is the second of a multi-part series as we follow Taylor through her pregnancy, the birth of the puppies and the adoption of Taylor's 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.