Keppy was born March 22, 2007. She was one of four puppies, two boys and two girls. All the puppies were SO beautiful-they were a gift being the last litter by their sire who was in failing health. But when it came time to go over each puppy to make sure they were OK, the perfect little girl I held in my hand turned out to have a cleft palate. There was no outward sign as there often is, such as a hairlip or deformed nose. Knowing such puppies cannot nurse, they are sadly handed back to the vet to be sent back to heaven. But for some reason I felt instead that I would bring this puppy home and bought a supply of Esbilac so I could feed this puppy.
Keppy did not have a name then, being referred to as "cleft puppy". Every 2 hours, even through the night, I threaded the tube down her throat and fed her the formula. My vet shook his head that I would try to save her. I told him if she is meant to die then she will do it in the warmth of her momma and littermates. But she would not die. She went to work with me in a tiny carrier and was kept in a styrofoam box with towels and a teddy bear that played heart sounds to keep her content. Weeks went by- she did not grow much but she did not die either. Every night I took her home and put her with her momma and littermates. Momma Dawn was so sweet, always accepting her baby back even with the strange smells. Here is a picture of the little family at 2 weeks old. Keppy is the baby with her head on momma Dawn.
COMING NEXT: The EARLY ADVENTURES OF KEPPY LOUISE
Keppy did not have a name then, being referred to as "cleft puppy". Every 2 hours, even through the night, I threaded the tube down her throat and fed her the formula. My vet shook his head that I would try to save her. I told him if she is meant to die then she will do it in the warmth of her momma and littermates. But she would not die. She went to work with me in a tiny carrier and was kept in a styrofoam box with towels and a teddy bear that played heart sounds to keep her content. Weeks went by- she did not grow much but she did not die either. Every night I took her home and put her with her momma and littermates. Momma Dawn was so sweet, always accepting her baby back even with the strange smells. Here is a picture of the little family at 2 weeks old. Keppy is the baby with her head on momma Dawn.
COMING NEXT: The EARLY ADVENTURES OF KEPPY LOUISE
