A Happy Ending for an Abandoned Dog

What would you do if an abandoned dog showed up on your front porch late one night?

A couple of months ago, this happened to my brother.  It was May, but it was still cold out, and the dog was hungry.  She also looked as if she had recently nursed puppies.  My brother, who is a tender-hearted man, took her in, and he and his family cared for her.

He found out a few days later, that one of our neighbors actually saw this dog being kicked out of a pickup truck near our lane.  I can’t imagine how someone could do such a thing to an animal, but there are a lot of evil people in this world.

My brother and his family began to call the dog Freckles.  They liked her and were pleased with how well she fit in with their five other dogs.  Before they knew that she was intentionally abandoned, they tried to find her owner.  Let’s face it, six dogs is a lot.

Imagine their surprise when a few weeks after Freckles showed up, she began to pop out puppies under my nephew’s bed.

My sister-in-law stayed with Freckles for the 2.5 hours that it took her to give birth to six adorable puppies.  In a few hours, the dog population at my brother’s house doubled.  Everyone said they were crazy to take in another dog.  But I don’t think they are crazy at all.  I think they are wonderfully kind and generous.

Almost as soon as the puppies were born, the family began the process of trying to find people who would want to adopt the puppies when they are old enough to go to good homes.

My brother and sister-in-law dropped by tonight with two of the puppies so that I could see them.  They are so cute and so fun to watch!

This whole ordeal has not been without its cons.  My brother and sister-in-law said they have not slept one night through since the puppies have been born.  The puppies do a lot of whining and crying at night.

They have also had a problem with fleas, and the puppies are too young for usual flea treatments like Frontline Plus.

When I think of what my brother and his family did for these dogs, I feel so proud to call them my family.  They inconvenienced themselves for several months for seven animals.  They spent money on food and care that will never be repaid.  They scrutinized potential dog owners to make sure the puppies are going to go to good homes.

I’m impressed with their willingness to take care of this mama dog and her puppies.  I know quite a lot of people who just couldn’t have or wouldn’t have done that.  But they did.  Although the mother is still available for adoption, all of the puppies will soon be going to good homes.  Mark and his family will be happy to have things return to normal again.

And me?  I do love a happy ending!