Having been a foster mom before, Kathy was ready and willing when she got a call from her local rescue about a pregnant dog that needed a safe space to give birth.
When the mama dog, Cookie, arrived at Kathy’s home, she immediately settled into her foster mother’s home. “She ran up to all of us,” said Kathy. “She’s snuggling with everyone.”
When a pregnant dog comes into foster care, a foster parent must earn their trust quickly. Doing so helps them be comfortable when the moment comes. With Cookie, that was no problem at all.
Two weeks after arriving at Kathy’s home, Cookie went into labor, pacing around the house. Kathy had set up an official birthing nest for Cookie, but Cookie decided that the couch was a better fit.
“This was her birthing plan, apparently,” said Kathy exasperatedly. With this last-minute change in plans, Kathy and her partner put up blankets and cushions to make the couch a safe place to give birth, and the waiting began.
The whole time Cookie went through her birth, her foster family was around her. Kathy thought that because Cookie was a small dog, she would have only five or six puppies, but she ended up birthing nine healthy pups.
Eight weeks later, thanks to Kathy and Cookie, all of the puppies found loving homes in no time at all. As for Cookie, she moved in with one of Kathy’s close friends. That way, Kathy could still Cookie again in the future.
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