I have fostered many animals for many reasons: pregnant dogs waiting for a more permanent foster home, pregnant dogs who couldn’t wait and whelped 13 puppies in my bathroom, kittens of every age, size and temperament (our cat Scratchy is so named for a very good reason), sick dogs, deaf dogs, deaf puppies, blind puppies, deaf and blind puppies….the list goes one. But the ones I enjoy the most are the bottle babies.
There are few joys greater than playing wet-nurse for an orphaned, infant dog; the feedings every two hours, the dirty towels, the burping, the warmth of him suckling on your ear lobe or finger, the fat, full and happy puppy belly that gurgles and expands with every gulp of formula.
But the very best part is the magic of that morning when he first opens his eyes and sees a human face- yours!– for the very first time. Today was that day, and now I’m hooked on this hairy fetus with wobbly legs.
*sigh*
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