Animal Rescue
MAISIE arrived at Dogs Trust full of surprises. Handed in because her owners were moving abroad, soon after arrival she had an ultra-sound and Dogs Trust found she was expecting four puppies.
Now, one of the problems of a dog having puppies when the father is unknown, is that you don’t know what the pups will be like.
In Maisie’s case, she’s a Jack Russell Terrier and staff had no idea of the size of the father, to know if Maisie might have difficulty delivering the puppies. (If the Harlequin Great Dane I saw at PupAid at the weekend had anything to do with it, I think Maisie might have passed out on the spot).
The staff vigilantly waited for her to go into labour to make sure she could cope and on the night of Thursday July 6, early signs of labour began.
Emma, the operations manager, watched her carefully to make sure she could deliver the puppies normally and at 10.30am on July 7, the first pup appeared. She was the biggest and came out raring to go – eager to get on with life. Pups two and three followed 20 minutes apart. Then, after another 20 minutes, the fourth pup was born. He was quiet and needed resuscitating but Maisie looked settled, relaxed and pleased with herself. Her work was done.
Imagine the staff ’s surprise when, forty minutes later, they went in to see Maisie and found five pups suckling on Maisie.
She’d had a secret fifth puppy and delivered her quietly on her own.
From the look of the pups it’s thought the father is a Staffie - Maisie has been an excellent Mum. All the puppies have been reserved and it is now Maisie’s turn to be homed.
If you can home this lovely Jack Russell who knows how to keep a secret, see her details on dogstrust. org.uk or you can meet her at Dogs Trust, Harvil Road, Uxbridge UB9 6JW.
Don’t forget that Dogs Trust now offer training in the form of Dog School.
As well as their regular classes, they are also offering a new training session focussing on gaining a better understanding of dogs with fears such as fireworks.
Topics covered include what is fear, how to reduce stress (specific to fireworks) and keeping your dog safe. It takes place at Dogs Trust (address above) on September 29 (7pm-9pm).
Tickets are £11.21 from Eventbrite. For details call 07393 140884 or email londondogschool@dogstrust.org.uk.