Dec 16 2013
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
Hello!
The other day, my sister pointed out that I have been remiss in not mentioning The Puppies.
Yes, dear readers. I have been so busy with work and travel and Thanksgiving and car problems and, more importantly, complaining about these things, that I have failed to mention the presence of puppies in our lives.
While admitting that I have in fact been holding out on you, I hasten to add that these puppies are not in my house or Megan’s. Rather, they are a leap of holiday faith taken by the ever optimistic Monica.
A Good Samaritan, through no fault of her own, found herself landed with a dog in active labor who produced eleven – yes, eleven – happy and healthy puppies. Knowing that she couldn’t keep these visitors, the Samaritan contacted her local shelter only to be informed that all of the dogs, mother and newborns, would be immediately euthanized. She then contacted Monica, who in turn contacted the owners of one of the premier resorts on the coast – with a restaurant beloved of Oprah, no less – who donated a room for the canine family.
They were cared for round the clock by selfless Daisy Davis volunteers, including Monica’s sweet husband Joe (who must have wondered if this was the “for worse” part of the vows he took more than twenty years ago) and my valiant sis, giving up her weekends after her long night shifts. There is a passel of puppies:
Their mother, Starla, is remarkably lovely:
She has an incredibly calm demeanor, and despite all she’s been through, is open and affectionate. There is an ageless wisdom in her golden eyes. I think she’s an old soul who has been here before. She is a wonderful mother, and there is no runt in her litter, seen here nursing:
After they eat, it’s time to sleep:
I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago, when they were barely out of the gerbil phase. They were born on Halloween and will be ready to go to foster homes soon. Six of them already have foster homes lined up, and Monica is confident that good homes will be found for all. I hope Santa is listening to this Christmas wish!