Masie made a pained noise, and I felt around her swollen stomach. “Klutz, we’ve got a case of dystocia,” I diagnosed, as I snapped on gloves and pulled a lubricant from my bag.
“What’s that?” Eliana demanded, alarmed.
“A puppy is trapped in the birth canal. I’m loath to perform an operation as I don’t know the status of the equipment.” I began talking Eliana through my actions. “The lube is being used to make the vulva and birth canal more slippery. When Maise pushes, I’ll carefully try to pull the stuck pup out. Now I can’t pull unless she’s pushing, as it can injure both puppy and Maise.”
Maise pushed, making a frightened, pained whine. I slipped inside and felt the puppy’s head. As gently as possible, I wriggled my hand and clasped the pup’s waist of the pup.
“Good girl, Maise,” I encouraged. “Eliana, keep calming her, reassure her everything’s going to be just fine, and stay calm. Maise will pick up on your emotions, and you’ll worry her,” I warned.
“Okay.” Eliana kept stroking Masie and murmuring loving words to her.
Maise released a high-pitched whine, and her back paws scrabbled in pain. I felt the push and pulled carefully. Maise bore down hard, and the puppy slipped free. I immediately broke the sac and checked its breathing. On seeing it was fine, I placed it in front of Maise to clean. She started nudging it, and the tiny puppy whimpered as Masie began washing and licking.
“Now that one is out, Masie should be fine. Has she had a scan to see how many pups there are?” I asked.
“No. The mobile vet said she didn’t need one.” Eliana scowled.
“Eliana, my advice is to have her neutered after this litter. Maise has narrow hips for a German Shepherd, and birthing will be difficult for her.”
“I shouldn’t have let her have puppies?” Eliana gasped, guilt-stricken.
“Not at all, but she should have been monitored. The mobile vet hasn’t done his due diligence,” I replied. Maise made a strange whine and bore down again. This time, the puppy slipped out easily.
“You’ve got a boy and a girl,” I said with a smile.
“I have?” Eliana looked ecstatic as she praised Maise for being a clever girl.
Calamity
When we returned several hours later, after checking out the other buildings, we found Eliana, Klutz, and Rosie sitting on the floor watching Maise. I counted seven puppies, and they were all wriggling, fat little bundles.
“Okay?” I asked, moving slowly, so I didn’t startle the new mom. Maise lifted her head and released a warning growl. I crouched down low and gradually extended my hand. Masie sniffed before offering me a lick.
“Yup, all healthy and alive. Maise is a natural,” Rosie beamed. She looked a little tired but happy. This was what she lived for: helping life come into the world.
“Don’t set your heart on one!” I alerted as her eyes moved to the pups.
“But she’s so cute!” Rosie whined and pointed at a black-and-cream one with golden highlights.
“Rosie, Empress will eat her,” I warned, and Rosie laughed.
“Empress?” Eliana asked, looking alarmed.
“She’s a Teacup Persian and rules the roost,” Rosie explained.
“Ah, cats are like that.”
“Hello?” a female voice called. We exchanged glances, and Eliana released a low moan. I went to greet the intruder but was stopped at the door when a round woman appeared, her disapproving look making me think I was in trouble.
“Should you be in here?” she snapped, not seeing the others.
“Yup. Can I help you?”
“Did you break in? I’ll call the sheriff!” the woman warned.
“Mrs Maple, I’m already here.”
Mrs Maple moved around me and gaped when she saw the scene I’d been blocking.
