coco: the little momma who made it
It was April 14th when I saw the email. There was a photo of a little dog with a little tongue hanging out and a pink bandage on her paw. The only text said: "Our little momma... At central... 4 years old... 5th litter... Emergency surgery... 7 pups 6 lived... She cannot feed so tomorrow morning I am going to central to learn tube feeding... Pray momma makes it!" Holy crap I thought to myself and I emailed back right away to find out more info... there wasn't really any. Her chances as well as those of her remaining pups were extremely slim. She'd been over bred and now she and her pups were paying what was expected to be the ultimate price... with their lives.
After I produced my book Home Away From Home, I'd continued to photograph some of the animals that were coming into care of the shelter, so I wanted to go photograph her too. In a way, it's like insurance. Even if they don't make it, there will be a recorded history of their time here - they won't be forgotten.
The story went something like this - she was brought in to the vet because she went into labour, but couldn't deliver - something was obviously wrong. But because her previous home didn't want to pay for another vet bill, they were going to euthanize. Thankfully, the Victoria SPCA was alerted and intervened. She should have a chance at life and so should her pups. The vets didn't think mom would survive the cesarean they would have to perform... but she did. Once they opened her tiny body up, they realized it wasn't good. One pup was stillborn and the other 6 were very small. Overnight three more of her pups passed away. The mom had had so many litters in such a short time frame that not only did she not have enough nutrients to provide the pups during gestation, she was unable to give birth, and there was no chance she would have been able to feed them - her calcium was dangerously low and she was dry... meaning no milk. In addition, her blood sugar and other systems were completely depleted. She was given a 50/50 chance if she survived the cesarean... and she did... and she survived that first night.
After I produced my book Home Away From Home, I'd continued to photograph some of the animals that were coming into care of the shelter, so I wanted to go photograph her too. In a way, it's like insurance. Even if they don't make it, there will be a recorded history of their time here - they won't be forgotten.
The story went something like this - she was brought in to the vet because she went into labour, but couldn't deliver - something was obviously wrong. But because her previous home didn't want to pay for another vet bill, they were going to euthanize. Thankfully, the Victoria SPCA was alerted and intervened. She should have a chance at life and so should her pups. The vets didn't think mom would survive the cesarean they would have to perform... but she did. Once they opened her tiny body up, they realized it wasn't good. One pup was stillborn and the other 6 were very small. Overnight three more of her pups passed away. The mom had had so many litters in such a short time frame that not only did she not have enough nutrients to provide the pups during gestation, she was unable to give birth, and there was no chance she would have been able to feed them - her calcium was dangerously low and she was dry... meaning no milk. In addition, her blood sugar and other systems were completely depleted. She was given a 50/50 chance if she survived the cesarean... and she did... and she survived that first night.
On April 15th I went to see her at the vet hospital. I had just finished photographing for a hair salon and it was mine and Rob's anniversary... but I had to go. She was hooked up to IV and looked just like her photo. She was all bundled up in a blankie and I felt bad disturbing her. She looked so frail and had a big, loose belly where her pups had been. I couldn't imagine there being even 7 walnuts in that little tummy.
When I got home to look at my photos, something had happened and there were no photos of Coco on my memory card. I knew there had to be because I'd viewed them on my camera while I was there... but where did they go? I was frantic. The photos weren't that great because she was in an awkward position to photograph and I was being so careful not to disturb her. I needed to find those photos - good or not. I searched my computer and my memory card multiple times... nothing. So after hours of fretting, I ended up paying for a program that would "find" the photos on my memory card... I had to do it about four times....it took forever. There was something about her that had made me so desperate to find those photos... was I worried she wouldn't make it? I don't know - I only knew I had to find them... and finally I got them.
When I got home to look at my photos, something had happened and there were no photos of Coco on my memory card. I knew there had to be because I'd viewed them on my camera while I was there... but where did they go? I was frantic. The photos weren't that great because she was in an awkward position to photograph and I was being so careful not to disturb her. I needed to find those photos - good or not. I searched my computer and my memory card multiple times... nothing. So after hours of fretting, I ended up paying for a program that would "find" the photos on my memory card... I had to do it about four times....it took forever. There was something about her that had made me so desperate to find those photos... was I worried she wouldn't make it? I don't know - I only knew I had to find them... and finally I got them.
The next day, my husband came with me to the shelter to see the two pups that were still alive - they were barely hanging on. Just tiny little things you could hold in the palm of your hand. Completely dependent on human care for survival... they were being fed, burped, pooped and pee'd, kept safe, kept warm, given love... all by a human - and an extraordinary one at that.
We didn't know if she was house trained but after four accidents the first day I figured she was going to have to learn. So every hour or so (or when she was awake - even in the middle of the night, flashlight in hand) out into the backyard we'd go. She'd sniff around the yard, her saggy belly almost reaching down to the grass. Was she pooping? Was there blood in her urine? Was she actually peeing? It took her a few days, but all systems ended up getting back on track. And as far as house training went, once she knew where the back door was, she would tell me when she wanted to go out - which was pretty much all the time. I got the feeling she didn't spend much time outside in her past life. She loved exploring the sights and sounds of the yard. She actually would watch the float planes fly overhead, she'd howl when she heard sirens going down the road and she'd watch the birds with a cute head tilt. I was wishing I could understand what she was thinking at each moment. How much of this was new to her? Each day she seemed brighter and stronger so we started venturing on short walks around the neighbourhood. But we also had to keep an eye on her incision. It was about 8 inches long. She wasn't allowed to lick it or get it wet which was hard when she was walking on the damp grass. But she was very good about not licking and didn't have to wear the cone of shame once which was a huge relief. She got lots of love and snuggles, and after a week or so of sleeping on a makeshift bed in the living room with her, she came and slept in bed with me, my husband and our other dog, Suzy.
Wherever she was, she'd make herself comfortable, but she was still figuring things out. The first time I left her with my husband she went to hide under the tv console, and then the coffee table or the couch. He coaxed her out quite easily, but there were also times when we couldn't find her in the house... she was always looking to get under things - again, the tv console, the bed, the coffee table, the couch. There was even one time where I was looking for her - I didn't call for her because I wanted to see what she was up to... it turned out she'd found a new cozy place - in the bin where I keep my winter scarves and toques in my closet.
Wherever she was, she'd make herself comfortable, but she was still figuring things out. The first time I left her with my husband she went to hide under the tv console, and then the coffee table or the couch. He coaxed her out quite easily, but there were also times when we couldn't find her in the house... she was always looking to get under things - again, the tv console, the bed, the coffee table, the couch. There was even one time where I was looking for her - I didn't call for her because I wanted to see what she was up to... it turned out she'd found a new cozy place - in the bin where I keep my winter scarves and toques in my closet.
The second night we had her at our house, we had a family dinner to attend. I was pretty nervous about leaving her, but I'm a bit of a worrier anyways. She'd be ok - she had a big bed to snuggle up on and she was such a calm little girl, plus, she had Suzy there for company. After dinner, some family came back to the house to meet her. They'd all heard her story over dinner and just had to meet this little girl who was defeating the odds. Everyone fell in love with her. I didn't know it at the time, but that was a pivotal moment for one family member in particular...
A few days later I went to my studio and took both dogs - I wanted to take their portrait together. While in my studio, my mom came up and we got to chatting. It turned out she was quite taken with Coco.... and her heartbreaking story. By this time, Coco's remaining pups had passed away. They just didn't have the strength to survive. That, coupled with her sweet demeanor, had taken my mom under her spell and she said she was interested in adopting her. She had to discuss it with my dad still, but she wanted to be the one to give Coco the love she deserved.
This wouldn't be the first adoption for my parents. My brother and I were also adopted.
A few days later I went to my studio and took both dogs - I wanted to take their portrait together. While in my studio, my mom came up and we got to chatting. It turned out she was quite taken with Coco.... and her heartbreaking story. By this time, Coco's remaining pups had passed away. They just didn't have the strength to survive. That, coupled with her sweet demeanor, had taken my mom under her spell and she said she was interested in adopting her. She had to discuss it with my dad still, but she wanted to be the one to give Coco the love she deserved.
This wouldn't be the first adoption for my parents. My brother and I were also adopted.
My parents were to go away for the weekend, but they had talked it over and they were prepared to adopt this little girl. This little girl who had lived some sort of crappy existence - pumping out litters of puppies for her humans to make some money. Although it seemed she'd never been hit or physically abused in that way, she had obviously lived a sheltered life and it showed. Her nails were like cat claws - sharp, pointy and looked like she'd never had them clipped or had gone for any kind of walk. She had to explore everything - and not just the normal dog sniffing, but really everything. Walks were new to her - putting on a harness and leash... going out a door... As she healed up and got better, her personality started to come out... and it was AMAZING! She loved belly rubs - and anyone could give them to her. She'd use her sharp claws to hang onto your arm so you could never stop. She was good with other small dogs - perhaps there were other dogs in the house she lived in. Big dogs were another story. Although she never barked - she'd make a squeaking noise instead - she did try to bark at bigger dogs. They didn't seem to care - maybe they could tell she'd been through a lot and they didn't mind. She liked cats too.
So my parents came home from their weekend away and mom called me from the road... when could she come pick up Coco?
I was seriously heartbroken... if there was ever a second dog we could give a home to, Coco would've been it. But as much as we're dreamers, we're realists too and it just wasn't the right time. I basically spent two weeks in tears - sad tears for Coco's past and the fact that she'd be leaving us one day, and then tears of happiness - knowing she had a great home to go to... I was a blubbering mess and sometimes I didn't even know if my tears were for happy or sad reasons. One of those first nights of tears, Coco actually came up to me on our living room bed, and stuffed her face up by mine and started kissing me. I had no idea how I was going to let this little one go. Even as I write this, I am welling up. The confusion I feel when I try to figure out what went wrong with Coco... how someone could do this to her. How, as a society, we've failed so many animals who have entrusted us humans to care for them.
I don't know much about breeding dogs, so one night I decided to find out. One of the first websites that came up when searching spelled out in easy black and white that a dog shouldn't be bred before 2 years of age and only if she's got a healthy vet check up. After that, and as long as she checks out as healthy, she can be bred once every TWO years. Coco had 5 litters in less than 5 years. As far as I was concerned there was no excuse for what happened to her - no one can play dumb when the information is so easily found. And even if they didn't have the internet, a call to a vet would have yielded similar advice.
So, into the car we got - Coco on my mom's lap and I drove. We had to start the bonding right away. Coco had become my shadow over the last two weeks - a common situation when fostering a dog who's just come out of major surgery... we'd learned that last year when fostering Boo - but that's another story! First stop, the shelter to sign the adoption papers. done. Second stop to the pet store for supplies - bed, poop bags, treats, brush, harness. check. No toys necessary since she didn't play with them - she was actually a little afraid of the squeaky ones. Then to her new home to settle in. It broke my heart to leave, but for the sake of Coco and my mom (and everyone around me for that matter) I saved my next round of tears until I was alone. But this story isn't about me... it's about that funny little ewok of a dog below...
I was seriously heartbroken... if there was ever a second dog we could give a home to, Coco would've been it. But as much as we're dreamers, we're realists too and it just wasn't the right time. I basically spent two weeks in tears - sad tears for Coco's past and the fact that she'd be leaving us one day, and then tears of happiness - knowing she had a great home to go to... I was a blubbering mess and sometimes I didn't even know if my tears were for happy or sad reasons. One of those first nights of tears, Coco actually came up to me on our living room bed, and stuffed her face up by mine and started kissing me. I had no idea how I was going to let this little one go. Even as I write this, I am welling up. The confusion I feel when I try to figure out what went wrong with Coco... how someone could do this to her. How, as a society, we've failed so many animals who have entrusted us humans to care for them.
I don't know much about breeding dogs, so one night I decided to find out. One of the first websites that came up when searching spelled out in easy black and white that a dog shouldn't be bred before 2 years of age and only if she's got a healthy vet check up. After that, and as long as she checks out as healthy, she can be bred once every TWO years. Coco had 5 litters in less than 5 years. As far as I was concerned there was no excuse for what happened to her - no one can play dumb when the information is so easily found. And even if they didn't have the internet, a call to a vet would have yielded similar advice.
So, into the car we got - Coco on my mom's lap and I drove. We had to start the bonding right away. Coco had become my shadow over the last two weeks - a common situation when fostering a dog who's just come out of major surgery... we'd learned that last year when fostering Boo - but that's another story! First stop, the shelter to sign the adoption papers. done. Second stop to the pet store for supplies - bed, poop bags, treats, brush, harness. check. No toys necessary since she didn't play with them - she was actually a little afraid of the squeaky ones. Then to her new home to settle in. It broke my heart to leave, but for the sake of Coco and my mom (and everyone around me for that matter) I saved my next round of tears until I was alone. But this story isn't about me... it's about that funny little ewok of a dog below...
Coco's been in her new home for just over a week and I still miss her. I get to see her whenever I want and if my parents go away and can't take her with them, we get dibs on doggie sitting.
My husband however, hasn't seen her for a few days and was needing a "Coco-fix", so we went to visit. She was very excited to see us as usual and we headed into the backyard to enjoy the sunshine.
My parents are getting used to their new routines as well. And each time we go to see her, she's almost a different dog - her happy spirit and energy is contagious, her incision is all healed up, and she's had what is probably her first visit to the groomer and she was a star. She just makes anyone smile who she comes into contact with. She's going on two walks a day (good for both her and my mom), gets lots of snuggle time, has visits with kids and other dogs and is now in a home with a family who loves her and has an extended family who loves her just as much. And I'm sure that will only help in her getting stronger and healthier in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
My husband however, hasn't seen her for a few days and was needing a "Coco-fix", so we went to visit. She was very excited to see us as usual and we headed into the backyard to enjoy the sunshine.
My parents are getting used to their new routines as well. And each time we go to see her, she's almost a different dog - her happy spirit and energy is contagious, her incision is all healed up, and she's had what is probably her first visit to the groomer and she was a star. She just makes anyone smile who she comes into contact with. She's going on two walks a day (good for both her and my mom), gets lots of snuggle time, has visits with kids and other dogs and is now in a home with a family who loves her and has an extended family who loves her just as much. And I'm sure that will only help in her getting stronger and healthier in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
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Welcome to the family Coco!