Update - 6 of the 8 babies are still making it. Two of the little runts just could not hang on. Please pray for the other 6 to survive.

MEET 3 of Nature's babies. Nature was dropped off at a local County Animal Shelter right before Christmas. Her owner was a truck driver and could no longer care for her. He had been burned out of his home and had no place to keep her. It was so heartbreaking for the owner and Nature. He left her behind with her little bed and left crying. Nature was crying as much as he was when he left the shelter.

Barbara Morton, a volunteer with Animal Advocacy, was at the shelter and just could not leave this little dog behind. "I could tell the owner and Nature were both heart broken when he had to leave her there. I almost started crying when I saw that look in her eyes. He brought her bed to leave with her. The shelter had put it in the pen with her to sit in while the owner was there, but I knew they would not let her keep it. I couldn't bear the thought of her having to sleep on that cold concrete floor. You could tell that she didn't understand what was happening to her. That is when I went home and called you and worried Doug to death because I couldn't find you. The old softie that Doug is finally made the decision to take her and 2 others. God Bless You Both!!"

So, Barbara pulled her out and brought her to our vet...she mentioned to the vet that Nature was a little overweight. WELL, she was overweight due to the 8 puppies inside her. We had Nature checked out at our vet's office and they said she was very pregnant with at least 2 puppies. We monitored her daily for signs of delivery. She slept in our bedroom in her birthing box we made for her. She kept getting bigger and bigger but no babies. On Friday, January 6, 2006 she started having some difficulty walking around the bedroom. On Saturday, January 7, 2006 she was taken to the vet and had a c-section because she was not able to have the babies on her own.

Nature was not prepared for 8 babies. She had produced no MILK and she was not sure what to do with these 8 babies that cried nonstop. We were devastated. We had no idea what to do with babies this small.

TO THE RESCUE! ... Janet from 4Paws stepped up and offered her assistance with feeding the babies. We delivered the 8 babies to her door on Saturday night and they were still crying. Bless Janet's heart. She jumped right in with the feeding and caring for the pups. So far all is well. We still have 8 babies and they are being pampered by Janet and a couple of her friends. Please pray with us that all 8 of these babies will make it...we love them already.

Nature went to stay with a foster mom where she will get undivided attention for the next couple of weeks. She was very depressed after the birth and I think she was really confused as to why I kept trying to get her to nuzzle the pups. This was the first litter for Nature and you can bet it is her last time having babies. She will be the baby from now on.

We owe a big THANKS to Janet from 4PAWS ... she is a live saver!!!