Penny's Puppies
Donation protected
Last Tuesday afternoon, I found a stray dog while I was on one of my daily walks with our own dog. This sweet girl looked as though she had been wandering on her own for a while. She had scrapes all over her legs and feet, one seriously matted eye, and as soon as I pet her I saw the fleas. On top of all this she was visibly pregnant and exhausted.
She leaned into my hand and closed her eyes as I pet her and I knew I was going to help her. It was too cold for a pregnant momma dog to be outside without food or shelter. I looped my dog's leash around her neck and she followed me, close to my heels, back to our house. Home in our backyard, when I was trying to figure out what to do next, without even thinking about it, I started calling her Penny. At the very least, I decided, I would let Penny stay with us overnight, with food and somewhere warm to sleep.
We spent Tuesday night connecting with neighbors who had spotted Penny. Through the grapevine that is the Internet we discovered that Penny had been left behind when her owners moved out of their home. My heart breaks a little every time I think about Penny waiting for her family to come back.
On Wednesday morning, my husband and I woke up to find Penny and a small squeaky puppy in our garage. I spent that day sitting with Penny as she delivered puppy after puppy. By 3pm, Penny had delivered 11 puppies. ELEVEN. I was now officially the guardian of 12 dogs, plus my own (very confused) pup and cat back inside our house.
My husband and I set about trying to get connected to some of the rescues here in Memphis. We're still working on it, hoping we can get the support of an established rescue organization, to help us with vet care, food, and the supplies we'll need to care for Penny and her little family. And to help us find and vet homes for Penny and the puppies. We know the rescue organizers want to help but this city is overrun with stray dogs and cats and providing financial support to a family of 12 isn't cheap. My husband and I are figuring that out very quickly!
And that's how I'm hoping you can help us! Penny and her sweet littles bring us a lot of joy, but the costs of food, cleaning supplies, and vet trips for Penny have already started to add up just in the short week they've been with us. Soon, we'll need to buy or build a larger enclosure as these little babies grow up. Soon, we'll have 12 mouths to feed instead of just one hungry Penny. The puppies will need to be dewormed and have (at least) their first round of vaccinations to protect them from scary diseases like parvo. I've already made two anxious trips to the vet with Penny in tow due to mastitis and giardia. I think we'll be really lucky if another emergency doesn't pop up.
So far I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered to help us take care of Penny and her babies. Neighbors I've never met in person, really kind strangers at Hollywood Feed, and many of our dear sweet friends have all offered help in one way or another. It's been amazing to see people step up to do whatever they can within their means for one stray momma dog and her babies.
If you would like to help us take good care of sweet Penny and her 11 puppies for the next 7-8 weeks until the puppies can be weaned and find their forever homes, please donate whatever you can. We're not even sure how much all of this will cost but whatever is leftover we plan to donate to a rescue or shelter here in Memphis. We will do what's best for Penny and the babies no matter what but your support would certainly lift a little of the weight off of our shoulders. This household of two tired people, one grumpy cat, and thirteen dogs would be so grateful!
She leaned into my hand and closed her eyes as I pet her and I knew I was going to help her. It was too cold for a pregnant momma dog to be outside without food or shelter. I looped my dog's leash around her neck and she followed me, close to my heels, back to our house. Home in our backyard, when I was trying to figure out what to do next, without even thinking about it, I started calling her Penny. At the very least, I decided, I would let Penny stay with us overnight, with food and somewhere warm to sleep.
We spent Tuesday night connecting with neighbors who had spotted Penny. Through the grapevine that is the Internet we discovered that Penny had been left behind when her owners moved out of their home. My heart breaks a little every time I think about Penny waiting for her family to come back.
On Wednesday morning, my husband and I woke up to find Penny and a small squeaky puppy in our garage. I spent that day sitting with Penny as she delivered puppy after puppy. By 3pm, Penny had delivered 11 puppies. ELEVEN. I was now officially the guardian of 12 dogs, plus my own (very confused) pup and cat back inside our house.
My husband and I set about trying to get connected to some of the rescues here in Memphis. We're still working on it, hoping we can get the support of an established rescue organization, to help us with vet care, food, and the supplies we'll need to care for Penny and her little family. And to help us find and vet homes for Penny and the puppies. We know the rescue organizers want to help but this city is overrun with stray dogs and cats and providing financial support to a family of 12 isn't cheap. My husband and I are figuring that out very quickly!
And that's how I'm hoping you can help us! Penny and her sweet littles bring us a lot of joy, but the costs of food, cleaning supplies, and vet trips for Penny have already started to add up just in the short week they've been with us. Soon, we'll need to buy or build a larger enclosure as these little babies grow up. Soon, we'll have 12 mouths to feed instead of just one hungry Penny. The puppies will need to be dewormed and have (at least) their first round of vaccinations to protect them from scary diseases like parvo. I've already made two anxious trips to the vet with Penny in tow due to mastitis and giardia. I think we'll be really lucky if another emergency doesn't pop up.
So far I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered to help us take care of Penny and her babies. Neighbors I've never met in person, really kind strangers at Hollywood Feed, and many of our dear sweet friends have all offered help in one way or another. It's been amazing to see people step up to do whatever they can within their means for one stray momma dog and her babies.
If you would like to help us take good care of sweet Penny and her 11 puppies for the next 7-8 weeks until the puppies can be weaned and find their forever homes, please donate whatever you can. We're not even sure how much all of this will cost but whatever is leftover we plan to donate to a rescue or shelter here in Memphis. We will do what's best for Penny and the babies no matter what but your support would certainly lift a little of the weight off of our shoulders. This household of two tired people, one grumpy cat, and thirteen dogs would be so grateful!
Organizer
Megan Ray
Organizer
Memphis, TN