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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Princess has delivered!

At 4am Zechariah knocked on our bedroom window and said: Bibi, come, Princess mtoto! (Princess has a baby) When I got out there, I opened the door and she dashed out! We caught her, lumbered her back inside and lay her down on the floor of the maternity ward; just in time: Numba Moja (number one) had arrived!

I was ready:  wearing my surgical gloves, a pair of scissors in a bucket of Dettol water nearby and two askari midwives each holding flashlight beam on the proceedings. 
 
Although Princess seemed very bewildered at what was happening to her, once I'd blown in the pup's face and it shrieked in protest,  she reached up to lick it. Hallelujah!  Her maternal instincts had kicked in! 
 
Ten minutes later Numba Mbilil (number two) made its appearance. While she licked and pulled at the membrane covering the pup, I noticed its head was still in the sealed part. I gently eased it towards the larger opening which Princess had made and it popped out. (Gave me quite rush, this did, seeing life happening in front of my eyes! ) A gentle rubbing of the body, blowing into its face and holding it upside down -is this how it's done? Not sure but it worked! - and the pup squeaked loudly. I placed it next to its sibling which had been latched onto the milk supply for the past fifteen minutes. 


Numba tato (number three) and Numba nne arrived in quick succession and were soon squeaking lustily and latching onto the next available teats. After this Princess seemed to be more restful and we hoped that this was IT! 
 Zechariah and Alphas, two askaris who took their midwifery duties very seriously!

Around 4.30am I supplied the medical team with juice . It was now 5.30 and I came indoors to make Grant a cup of coffee. I also made two cups of sweet, milky tea for my helpers. As I picked up the cups, Alphas Moto knocked frantically on the kitchen window and gesticulated for me to come. I arrived in the maternity ward to see Numba tano (number five) already clean and rolling around near her tummy. Princess sure was a fast learner! 

I returned inside again ;  washed my hands and got into my exercise clothes. Marita and I do a 6km walk three times a week and I wasn't going to miss out today. Grant was also leaving for work at the same time and came to the hut to inspect the new pups. As we watched, Princess gave birth to Numba sita (by now you may have guessed or calculated that that's number six! ) I helped this baby clean up and start to live and put him near a teat. I had to jog up to the corner as Marita was already waiting!

When I got back at 7.30, Michael, who'd come on day askari duty said that there were SEVEN pups. At least though now, she has finally stopped producing, had two bowls of hot milk and dog biscuits and all's well in the land of Princess'  new pups on the yard. 
 Princess and her perfect litter of seven!

Grant has called the vet who will come and check all is in order with Princess.  I wonder, has there ever been a dog in rural Africa who has had such a organized, assisted and clean confinement? 

Mmm.

20 comments:

  1. Well done to Princess and you are your midwife(husband?) team. LOL! Now to find homes for these pups.

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  2. Congrats to mum and midwife for 7 healthy pups, well done!:)

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  3. Oh My, 7 puppies..Princess will be busy feeding all those pups. I hope everyone is well. You and your helpers did a great job! They are adorable puppies..

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  4. Hi Jo, how delightful to see these adorable puppies and their tired mama.
    Be well, be happy :)

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  5. I was anxious to read your post today. So happy it is all over for Princess and her staff :)
    Give her a hug for me. 7 is a big family. Deb

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  6. Awww! The puppies look so cute...looks like you had an exciting night! Congrats on the successful delivery!

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  7. they are absolutely beautiful, one more than i guessed. glad it was not 11 like our shadow had. Shadow was unassisted, she did it all by herself... can't wait to see these little ones grow and get bigger. how will your find homes for them?

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  8. Congratulations to Princess and to you and your able team. Do you feel like a Grandmother all over again? Have any of the pups been spoken for? Will Princess be spayed once they're weaned?

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  9. OMG ! that's not true ! 7 !!! The father must be very productive ! You did a perfect job as midwive ! Princess is a lucky dog ! I am surprised that the pubs drank already just after the birth. With cats it's different they only feed their kittens the next day. 7 puppies running and playing around in your yard, I think you have to create a special blog for that !

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  10. oh, my! 7 pups and how many teats for them? i love your all-night assistants that made sure she was okay!

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  11. Congrats to Princess on her success.

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  12. Ah, sweet news indeed!! Happy pups and a tired Mom! Love your pics for the day, Jo!!

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  13. Such a tired out mom.

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  14. Congrats to Princess... It's no wonder that she was so uncomfortable recently. Seven little ones!!!! WOW!!! Now--my question is: what will happen to all of them? Will they be given away eventually?

    Thanks to you and your 'team' for giving Princess such care while she had her babies..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. Thanks for sharing this wonderful event. Hope all continues to go well.

    Carolina Mountains

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  16. Princess is very lucky to have you in her life. So are the pups. Is there much neutering of dogs over there?

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  17. How precious...I came for the fence shot and had to see what 'pups' they were talking about. Going to be fun watching them grow up.

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  18. Congratulations, Princess, on your beautiful new family.

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  19. What an exciting day for you and an exhausting one for Princess. She is one lucky African dog.

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