Honoring a Special Maltese....

Blue Hill's Orphan Annie

Annie's story begins back in 1992 when she was born.  Annie was the sole surviving puppy of a litter of 3.  Her littermates died a few days after birth when their mother's milk went bad.   We had placed Orphan Annie with another mom who had a litter of pups at the time and she raised Annie like her own. 

Six weeks later on Christmas Eve day, we were struck with parvo.  We obviously picked it up at the vet's office when we had a mom in for a c-section.  Eight puppies including poor little Annie were among the pups infected.  Because of the parvo being in his facility due to a rampant rage at that time, my vet felt it best that I treat the babies at home.  We set up a treatment area in the utility room and worked around the clock treating these little babies.  Due to prayers, a good vet's knowledge and our diligence, we did not lose one puppy. 

Annie had become a mom a couple of years ago for the first time.  Just recently we bred her again along with a little sweet girl about the same time named Dee Dee.  Dee Dee had to have a c-section on July 20, 1999.  She had 2 very pretty and extremely tiny girls.  We were so excited as this was Dee Dee's first live litter.

We brought them all home and had them set up in the great room watching very carefully making sure everything was going fine.  Dee Dee was having a slow time coming out of the anesthesia but still seemed normal for the situation.  Puppies were quiet and nursing while Dee Dee stayed asleep for the most part.   At midnight, all of a sudden, she jumped up out of the whelping box, ran to the other end of the whelping pen and back into the box.  She did this several times before I could reach her to calm her down.  Her heart was racing so wildly.   I held her close and petted her until she was relaxed.    As I gently placed her back down, I watched as she lowered her head to the floor of the pen for what seemed like several minutes not moving, then slowly lowered the rest of her body, never to get up again.

Shock, horror and heartbreak were the immediate reactions, but reality set in to say we had 2 tiny babies now without a mom.   I am always prepared with Pedialyte and formula for emergencies but knew these babies were going to have a tough time as I'm not good at hand raising puppies.

We knew Annie had milk but didn't know for sure if she was pregnant.  We hoped  she would have enough milk to help these babies.  We laid her down and let them nurse on her.   Annie didn't  fuss much but seemed somewhat confused.  Due to the hour of the night, we placed Annie in another pen close to the babies, I supplemented them and tried to get a couple of hours sleep before the next feeding.

Annie had other ideas.   She barked and fussed and kept waking us up.  Finally  I got up and again put the babies with Annie.   Petting Annie and softly assuring her that things were fine, she began licking the babies and nudging them gently.   At that moment I knew we had been blessed.

Annie has developed more milk and has  taken over these puppies but we are still supplementing.  Our vet told us he could feel a puppy, but she does not show any signs of being pregnant other than the milk. 

So to our beloved Annie, we thank you.  You indeed are a very special Maltese.   To Dee Dee, as our hearts break we say, we will miss you so much, may you rest in peace.

                                                                Annie and adopted babies July 23, 1999

7/28/99 After a tough delivery, Annie whelped a beautiful little girl...

Congratulations Annie.. Mom, daughter and adopted daughter are doing well..

In Memory of Our Mom

Blue Hill's Dream Come True

Dee Dee

May You Rest In Peace

 Little baby (on the bottom) left us July 28 to join her mom

Ditto (the remaining baby) became a mom in Jan. 2002 of one Cherished girl....

      Another little girl has joined Dee Dee on February 12, 2006.  Love a rough C-Section on Friday afternoon and her only pup was born dead.  Saturday morning she still was not acting right so I took her back into the vet.  She was in septic shock and in critical condition.  She had what they said was a very bad infection and didn't know if she would make it through the weekend.  I had to take her to the emergency clinic for weekend care.  She stabilized through the night but was not improving.  The doctor's felt she might stand a chance if they reopened her to see what was "going on".  She indeed had a bad infection between the muscle and skin.  They cleaned what they could out and continued with very strong antibiotics.  Love never regained consciousness.  I brought her home Sunday in a card board box to be buried next to Dee Dee.  Love was only 18 months old and the sweetest girl ever.  Good bye my Love, I'm so very sorry...

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