“I’ll just have a look around in here,” Hailey told her new friend. “You keep your babies warm.”
She searched the whole barn, wishing there were a big sled or even a door off its hinges that she could use to drag the little family to Ransom’s.
But the only other thing she found was a small wooden crate. She dusted it off and brought it back to Henrietta, who was nosing at her babies.
Gingerly, Hailey reached out to stroke the big dog’s belly.
Henrietta didn’t seem to mind, so Hailey explored her furry tummy gently for a few minutes, searching for anything that would tell her that more puppies would be arriving.
“I think you’re all finished,” Hailey ventured. “Do you feel like you could walk?”
But obviously the big dog couldn’t answer. Her tail thumped the boards again though, and she cocked her head at Hailey like she was listening.
Hailey tried to imagine what it would be like to give birth to triplets and then walk through a snowstorm.
But if they didn’t leave now, her phone battery would run out. And she wasn’t convinced she could find her way to Ransom’s without the light.
Deciding that it was time for action, she got up and peeled off her coat.
The cold of the barn instantly sank into her and she tried not to imagine what it was going to be like outside without it. But the puppies needed it more than she did.
She shoved it in the wooden crate with the soft inner fleece side up, still warm from her own body heat, and placed it next to Henrietta.
Fear shot through her again for the first time in hours.
How can I take her tiny babies from her? What if she attacks me?
“Henrietta,” she said softly, trying her best not to let her voice shake. “We need to get your babies to Ransom so he can help them and keep them warm. But that means I have to pick them up.”
Henrietta stayed where she was, her face resting on the old feedbag.
“Okay,” Hailey said. “Here we go.”
She reached out and stroked one of the babies with her index finger, keeping her eyes on the mama.
Henrietta didn’t even look up.
But when Hailey lifted the baby away from her mama, it let out a plaintive little cry and Henrietta lifted her head.
“We have to get your babies someplace warm,” Hailey told her firmly.
When she placed the baby in the crate, Henrietta lifted herself partly up.
“Okay,” Hailey said, quickly moving the second pup and then the third into the crate. All three whimpered pitifully.
Henrietta lifted the first pup in her mouth and was trying to put her back on the floor.
“Henrietta,” Hailey said. “We need help. We have to get someplace warm. Can I have your baby again?”
Henrietta set the baby on the floor at her belly and Hailey carefully lifted it up again and placed it in the crate.
Before Henrietta could grab another pup, Hailey picked up the crate of babies and folded the sides of her coat loosely on top of them. Hopefully, they could keep fairly warm in there for the trip to Ransom’s.
“Let’s head out,” she said bravely, leaning down to scoop up her phone.
Henrietta was nosing the crate, so Hailey headed off to the barn door, willing the mama to understand that she wasn’t stealing the little ones.
Outside, the air was so full of snow that she could hardly see.
