08/17/2026
“Just one litter.”
It sounds pretty harmless.
Eight puppies. Maybe six. Maybe ten.
You already know people who say they want one.
Your dog is lovely.
She’d make beautiful puppies.
And it might be nice for the kids to see all those stages along the way.
Time to find a stud dog.
This is getting exciting!
So you start looking in local groups. Pop a post up with what you're looking for.
Time is ticking though.
“That dog looks good.”
Same sort of breed.
They say there aren't any issues.
Brilliant.
That's such a cute sit he has in that photo too. A little bit skewed, maybe, but who can judge from a photo?
The day comes and the dog arrives at your home.
Your girl isn't too happy about it, but then again she's never really liked unfamiliar people or dogs.
She’s always been a bit “grumpy”, but that’s her quirk and everyone loves her.
Those growls and fear around people?
The reactions to dogs on walks?
Those couple of near misses? Well they shouldn’t have got that close.
It's all communication, right?
That's what social media says.
And she certainly communicates a lot.
Health testing?
He's asking about health testing while she's getting increasingly growly.
Well, she went to the vet a couple of years ago for that limp, they wanted more tests but it really doesn't bother her, that much.
It's still there a little bit, but as long as you don't walk her for more than ten minutes she's usually okay.
That funny hop and skip only really appears after that.
And yes, she can get a bit grumpy when she's sore, but don’t we all.
So yep.
She's been to the vet.
The “deed” is about to happen and there's an immediate yelp from your girl.
“Don't worry. She does that sometimes when we touch around her hips. It's normal for her.”
It's done.
How exciting!
You start talking about what happens next.
How much you'll charge.
Who gets what.
How many puppies there might be.
“No, you can get much more than that!”
Wait.
That much? Wow!
Things have been a little tight lately and, if you're completely truthful, the thought of making a few thousand dollars out of all this had crossed your mind, more than once. You've noticed all those ads for puppies out there more and more.
Imagine if she had 6 or 8!
In fact, it seemed like a pretty good solution to what you've been going through lately.
But this?
This could pay for a holiday too.
And all from one little litter.
A few weeks later, she's definitely getting rounder.
The kids are beside themselves.
People are already putting their names down.
This is going to be easier than you thought.
Then the puppies arrive.
It's a long night and your girl struggles a bit.
She's not particularly happy with anyone near her or the puppies either, but then again, she's always been a bit funny about people getting too close.
There were those couple of times she snapped at people who passed too close.
But really, they should know better!
The puppies grow and the photos start going up.
Got to word those posts carefully.
There are rules now because of all of those “backyard breeders” out there.
Someone asks about health testing again.
Both parents are healthy.
They've both been to the vet.
Temperament?
“She's lovingly protective of her family.”
That sounds much better than fearful of unfamiliar people and dogs.
Eight weeks comes around.
Well, nearly.
They're only six weeks, but they're such a handful and they're eating by themselves now.
They'll be fine.
Who makes those "rules" anyway.
One by one, the puppies leave.
The kids absolutely loved the whole experience.
And you made some pretty good money too.
A few months later, a message arrives.
One puppy is terrified of strangers.
That's nothing to do with you though.
They obviously didn't socialise “it” properly.
Another owner mentions an odd gait. Their vet wants to know whether either parent has hip problems.
Funny.
It sounds a lot like that same issue Mum has.
That cute little hop.
But she's always done it.
Then someone asks,
“Would you ever have another litter?”
Well, the puppies all found homes.
The kids had an incredible experience.
You made some pretty good money.
And Mum was fine.
Mostly.
Her next heat is only a few months away.
You know what you're doing this time.
It was a great experience all round, really.
So yes.
Just one more litter.
