Everything was fine, right up until it wasn’t.

We x-rayed Lottie on day 55 and it showed one very large puppy taking up residence in most of mom’s body.  That news was welcome, but a tad bit disappointing.  Everyone was hoping for a full garage.  Of course, it’s one thing to be sad about only one pup, it’s another to remember that singleton puppies create a host of logistical problems.

Now, the stats might suggest that singleton puppies usually turn out okay, but you may remember that I went through this with Nika and L’acy, and that was everything BUT okay.  Puppies produce the adrenaline that initiates labor.  So, one pup means only one source of starter fluid.  The question is whether or not to allow for a natural birth, or to intervene with surgery.  Natural is preferred, and since Lottie was an experienced dam, we decided to trust her behavior as evidence for our decisions.

By day 63, the due date, Lottie seemed every bit unconcerned, and an ultrasound showed a vigorous puppy waiting for the show to begin.  Unfortunately, progesterone levels in Lottie suggested that labor was unlikely to begin for at least 24 hours.  So, we waited.  And it was an agonizing wait.  One I won’t forget any time soon.

Day 64 passed and Lottie continued to act like nothing was wrong, and that labor was still a ways off.  On the morning of day 65, Lottie was taken to the vet with the intention of surgical consent.  We weren’t going to wait any longer.  Unfortunately, the preoperative ultrasound showed we were too late.  The puppy had passed away.  Later that day, and after several injections of Pitocin, Lottie gave birth to a beautiful black and tan girl.  Another L’acy.  I will mourn her loss for some time.

L’acy, pictured above, was born by c-section on day 65.  I can only think that I was lucky, and probably came to her rescue just in time.  But, it’s always easier to make decisions in the aftermath.  There is no one to blame here.  And although I am sad to think about what might have been, stuff happens and we learn to live with that.