13/01/2025
We have an empty spot at the dinner table today 😔
Cantina’s Pipsqueak aka Pip 1/9 - 1/10
Despite all of our efforts, our premature puppy Pip passed away peacefully yesterday evening.
With premature puppies, all we can do is keep them warm, fed, and hope that their body is developed enough to give them time so they can catch up. The odds are often against these guys. That’s why they all get a name vs a collar color. Every dog deserves a name and there is a chance they won’t make it to a new family to receive theirs so they get one from me 💕
Those of you who have been following us for a while will remember Half Pint from sparkles litter. She was also premature. While her weight at birth was even less than Pipsqueak, she was likely a day or tow day further in development before she was born. And one day can make all the difference. She grew up to be one of the larger adults in that litter.
Pip was still eating vigorously during meal times and was quite active when I was handling her or Mom was cleaning her. However as the day progressed yesterday, I noticed she was very inactive outside of those times and was no longer crawling to be with her siblings or look for food on her own.
About an hour after a feeding, mama Rox popped up and began licking her, crying, and picked her up. I rushed over knowing something was wrong. Pip’s breathing was very slow and as I held her and mama licked her she took one last breath and left us. It was likely her heart was underdeveloped.
I gave mama a stuffed lamb chop and for now that is her adopted puppy.
Breeding dogs is an incredibly rewarding endeavor, but it can also break your heart. We are great full for the 5 heathy puppies and a great mama to care for them.
Run Free Pip 💕🐾
