14/03/2024
I AM A BREEDER...
Food receipts for a family of 4 and my dog food bills match. My electric has tripled, I have more whelping supplies than I do medicine and first aid supplies. I have vaccines in my fridge, syringes on hand, my vet on speed dial and multiple puppy pens in my bedroom n bathroom for mom's n babies a separate bedroom just for my other dogs. My furniture, walls, and woodwork are chewed like beavers live with me. (the damage if done by my children would be punishable for sure)
I am a Breeder, who when my fridge quit, saved the dog meds and let the food go bad. My feet find the way to the puppy pens before I have even eat breakfast in the morning and the puppy pens are my last stop before bed (Always) not to speak of I get up once in middle of night check everyone once and twice in middle of night checking mom's when I have babies While friends cruise to the Bahamas and various places and my family meets for birthdays, I am home delivering or hand feeding puppies. I haven't had a real vacation in 20 years, but maybe soon. All plans are made around heat dates, whelp dates, puppies going to their new homes and vet dates.
I am a Breeder, who has been covered in more bodily fluids from my dogs on more occasions than I care to admit. Bleach is my favorite cleaning product and my home typically smells like a community pool. Most of my friends are breeders as conversations revolves around my dogs. Who else could relate or appreciate what I say? When I get exhausted and feel like I can't do another sleepless night hand feeding a puppy around the clock every 2 hours I remind myself religiously that the hand feeding is only temporary and the reward is coming. This too shall pass...
I am a breeder who sacrifices my own comfort to sleep on the floor next to a whelping pen so I can hear every time a puppy makes a squeak or to jump up in a panic making sure I didn't over sleep and not hear my alarm for the next 2 hour puppy feeding. I sleep with Mama dog and her newborn litter in my bed, one hand on her, just so I can reassure her that I'm right there if she needs me. Many people wouldn't understand how it feels to have invested hours and hours in a weak puppy to ultimately lose it and how it can feel the same as losing a child or the joy I feel when all the invested hours have paid off in one that lives.
I am a Breeder, who has bottle fed, tube fed, syringe and even sponge fed a puppy doing whatever it takes feeding every 2 hours and it taking 45 minutes to do it for weeks at a time to ensure its survival. I have learned to be proficient at vaccinations, sub- q fluids, syringe feeding, tube feedings, temperature taking and formulated and perfected my own puppy formula and figuring out natural, well working, remedies to just about every puppy issue, like canned pumpkin for constipation or loose poop's, Karo or pancake syrup for low blood sugars, the list goes on. My Vet knows me by my first name, and has witnessed me cry countless times, reassuring me that there was nothing left undone.
I am a Breeder, to me that 63 days takes on new meaning still excited by every new life, yet concerned for my mama dog because she is my first priority. It is I who delivers all my pups, towels and heating pads on ready, happiness and sadness sometimes intermingled. It is I who has breathed the first breath of life into a puppy who has refused to take that first breath. And it is I that holds that tiny still life in my hand and prays over it with tears in my eyes when after 30 minutes of CPR, suctioning and shake downs haven't worked. Even though it increases my work load, I look forward to the 14 day stage when eyes open, and puppies begin to emerge from the helplessness of newborns. Puppy breath, a first bark, and a heart of exploration. I am a conscientious lover of animals and I have found my niche, my passion.
I am a Breeder, and I am not cruel, dumb, uncaring or criminal. I take great responsibility for every life I bring into this world and ensure it goes to a wonderful, loving and perfect home an extension of the same love and care they received while in my own home. I am not raking in money while sitting on my butt. Every penny I make I earn through blood, sweat, hard work and tears. One way or another it is recirculated back into my breeding program so I can continue this journey. My greatest joy is a healthy puppy and a wonderful home. The card of thanks and the pictures of my puppies with their new families are the fringe benefits of my efforts. I love my spayed retirees and rescues just as much and the same as my mothers, babies and studs. I had to buy a king size bed, and still don’t fit in it after my last fur baby is lifted to bed.
I am an animal lover, nurse, midwife, heavy laborer, customer service representative and marketer and PROUDLY I AM A BREEDER! (REVISED TO FIT ME BEFORE POSTED)
