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Gemma's Nursery Follow Gemma's story, her rescue through the birthing of her litter of puppies  Gemma arrived at Big Dog Rescue from a very crowded shelter in Bakersfield, Ca., where she was just another statistic. A brown medium size stray dog that was lost amongst all of the hundreds of dogs housed at this shelter.
When we saw her, we just fell in love with her. She had a kind expression and wanted so desperately to be given another chance at life. We loaded Gemma up and she fit right in at the ranch.  We made three attempts to have Gemma spayed, but on each visit to the vet, they were reluctant to alter her due to severe kennel cough and the anesthesia would be too dangerous for her. We were unaware of her pregnancy until 2 weeks before her puppies were born that is when this picture was taken of her.
Her foster mom, Shana Laursen, of Greyhound Friends For Life, informed us that this breed can easily conceal the puppies due to her greyhound heritage (they never show until the last weeks of pregnancy), because they carry their pups higher in the body.
February 9, 2010 the puppies arrive 5:15am male black with white: chest, nose, spot @ back of neck, tail tip, hind left toes, front socks & brown: hind legs, eye brows & cheeks - 1 lb 0.8oz 6:20am male black with a lot of brown and some white: star on chest, hind toes tipped - 1 lb 02.5oz 6:30am male lighter brown with black and a little white: T on chest - 15.0oz 7:05am male black with small white patch on chest - 15.8oz 7:15am maleblack with white: blaze, tux & 4 paws - 1 lb 01.5oz 7:25am malebrown with black and white: blaze, tux, all feet though only toes on right front - 14oz thought I was done :) 8:15am male black with white: partial collar, blaze, tux & 4 paws - 1lb 01.5oz 8:30am male stillborn male :( with coloring similar to Pup 6 - though fully developed, the placenta/sack seemed compromised
Lighter colors may be more noticeable once completely dry. All 7 & Gemma are doing well February 27, 2010 (2 weeks old)  Gemma is companionable, for sure! But, as with most young dogs, she is quite excitable jumping up with a lot of licking to get and give attention. She is on the 40lb side of your range. A smiler, she is sweet, sweet. Loves everybody. She uses a dog door here and was alone quite a bit before her pups were born. Occasionally, she would do a bit of hound-dog howling outside when alone. She is a very clean girl and does not mess inside if the dog door is open. I close it at night for protection against wild animals and weather 9pm to 6am, roughly. As long as her tummy was settled, she did not have any accidents. Even in her yard she goes at the far end and even tried to put her bowel movements outside of the fencing! I have been cooking for her due to some diarrhea issues - cause could be stress as she is a very young dog to have had so many changes and responsibilities. Currently she eats a mixture of rice, beef & pumpkin. Unfortunately, parvo virus can be carried on shoes, clothing, hair, under fingernails, etc. then be transferred to the mom's fur and then the pups. So, no one can visit Gemma until the pups have had their vaccines. Vaccines can only be given when the pups are in perfect health. While the plan is to give the shots at 6 weeks old, due to weaning at that time some might have their mother's sensitive tummy and not be able to be given the shot until settled into a diet. In other words, there is no promises about when you could meet her, but I would hope for the end of March. I know this seems like forever from now, but Gemma (and her pups) are worth the wait!
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