We welcomed eight Junior X Rodney puppies on Monday, August 13th. We generally estimate a 63 day “due date” – which was not until the 16th. So… on Monday, we were a little surprised.
Junior’s labor started normally. She whelped a dark tri-colored boy in the early morning. Aliy was nursemaid. She helped “Natural Born” learn to nurse and kept him warm as Junior continued labor. But… as we here at SPK understand and accept: Nothing is easy. After four hours and no more contractions, as well as no puppy in the birth canal, Junior went to North Pole Vet Hospital.
Junior had no contractions while in route or at the hospital. X-rays showed multiple pups high up the uterine horns. So Dr Lovely, assisted by Dr Dick, proceeded with a c-section surgery. The hospital was very soon full of squeaks and squeals from newborns. Fortunately, North Pole Vet Hospital employs many qualified and talented “Puppy Nannies.” The very rapid appearance ~ in less than 5 minutes ~ of seven husky puppies went smoothly. Anyone who has not witnessed a canine c-section would be surprised to learn that no less than ten people helped with this complicated, hands on whelping procedure. It is truly, a life saving process.
A huge THANKS to everyone at NP Vet: especially Dr Lovely, Vet Tech Alli, Vet Tech Crystal, Dr Brown, Dr Rouge, Dr Dick and the other caring assistants who cleaned, suctioned, tubed, nipped umbilical cords, rubbed, warmed and generally welcomed the newborns to the World. And also we owe an apology and a thanks to all the NP Vet patients and their owners who had to wait longer for their scheduled appointments.
“Having puppies” can be a wonderful, planned event. Many, many husky litters are naturally welcomed to the World. But the reality is that complications can happen even to the healthiest, well cared for female. Junior had no obvious signs of pain or discomfort and had already whelped one healthy pup. It was a tight rope walk to know just when to make that 9-1-1 emergency trip to the Hospital. It is so important to have a working relationship with a Veterinarian who knows your dog. It is even more critical to have that Vet Hospital’s phone number plugged in your ‘Favorites’ (or into your memory). There was no obvious blockage, but Junior was certainly not going to have the remaining puppies naturally.
Junior and the eight little ones are currently staying in the SPK living room. There are two quite small runts in the litter. We will be adding some milk replacement to their nursing and keeping our fingers crossed. The litter and Momma will move into the Puppy Room after Junior’s incision heals and all the pups show weight gain from their birth weights. Junior will appreciate the extra space of the Puppy Room with its cedar shaving floor, enclosed nursing house and doggie door to the outdoors.
SP Kennel will not be keeping all eight puppies into their adulthood. Several will be available. This is not a common trend for us, but eight puppies is quite a handful and there might be one more SPK /Ryno Kennel litter possible in mid September. Of course, we will update the website about every pup’s future forever home.
We will have the Puppy Cam set up very soon.
Congrats SPK and Junior and Rodney!! So happy to hear we have healthy puppies! Fingers crossed for those 2 little runts. Oh to have an SPK puppy will be quite a blessing for some lucky people!
Congratulations from Delaware. Can’t wait to see them in the live cam. Best wishes.
Congratulations Junior, Rodney and SPKennel! And hats off to NP Vets. Thanks for being there for Junior in her time of need! Such happy, exciting news.
WOW….PUPPIES!!! So glad there was a good crew on hand at the North Pole Vets…thank goodness! Sounds like it was quite the ordeal, complete with good decisions and cautiousness! End result is you got 8 pups and a Mama Junior who appears to be just fine! Congrats SPK…..well done all the way around!
Nessmuk
Congratulations Junior and Rodney! I’m glad the pups are doing well! I can’t wait to see them in the Puppy Cam! 🐶🐶😃
Congratulations to Lead Dog Lady of the Hour, Junior and Rockstar Rodney!! Cute puppies with big booties to fill!! Thanks SPK for sharing your big event!
The kids and I are relieved that Junior is OK and can’t wait to see pics and video of the pups. We are, of course, concerned about what this means for Junior’s racing career post-surgery and wish the best for her and all the pups.
You are all amazing for the love and care you give your dogs! Junior is special to me for she is the one I met before the others. She is so loving and will be a wonderful Mother… THANKS to all of you!! Rodney is special also for when I visited the kennel he is one of the main ones I remembered. THANKS and THANKS for your love and care for all of your “family” dogs…:>) A huge THANKS to NP Vets!!
Congratulations Junior, Rodney and SPKennel! Welcome to the world Little Ones! I hope they all thrive. Aliy, as always, you are there for your fur babies. Can’t wait for the puppy cam!!
Wow! Relief and concern. Congratulation Junior, Rodney, SPK and Nurse Aliy! I don’t know
how you do it! I hope Junior a quick recovery and know she has her motherly skills down pat.
Thanks to North Pole Vets and employees for all the special care/skills they performed.
Will be looking for the pics but know you all have your hands full!
Congratulations to everyone! That must have been a scary experience knowing a cesarean was necessary. I look forward to the puppy cam and especially to a joint SPK Ryno litter!
What do you need to do to bring a puppy home? Don’t have lots of money but rich in love!
Nothing like ChaCha’s genes – grandma of Junior!
So proud of all who made this birth successful – and as all have mentioned already, a “Puppy-Cam” will be a great way to start or finish (depending on SP Kennel fan location) every day!!!
It is great to know this delivery was 100% successful!!!
Congratulations to SP Kennel!!! Great timing and magnificent performance for the wonderful and accomplished daughter of Olivia!!!
P.S. I believe great friend Ryano Kennel was the recipient of three (?) of Olivia’s first litter – 4 others of that litter kept at SP if memory serves – “The Secrets” – Junior, sister Lydia, brothers Dutch and Kodiak.
WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF
Prays for every pup and Junior’s health.
A bit teary eyed here, happy, excited and concerned too.
Thank you for the news
Well done Junior and Rodney.
Get well Junior.
<3
I"m very excited to hear that you are breeding with one of Ryne's athletes too.
<3
Congratulations, SPK! New puppies are a joy and a challenge – and are full of potential! What a blessing you all are!
Just what the doctor ordered. Sending warm wishes to all of you for a speedy recovery.
Congratulations. We had a similar experience with whelping this summer, but our first three were born naturally and then the 4th remained high in the uterine horn, up under the ribs. My bitches breeder said she didn’t get the memo! We were not present for the c-section, it being only one and we had three pups to attend to.
I am very happy for you and Junior and Rodney. We look forward to continuing to hear about them as they grow.
Congratulations Junior, Rodney, 8 husky puppies, Aliy, SPK, & NPVETS.
How exciting!! Junior is a very attentive mother. Looking forward to puppy cam.