Stories from the mdrc ranch
Harmonys Journey
Christmas Eve 2021 started out with Cadence going into labor and she had 9 beautiful pups. Many people watched the Facebook LIVE birth of the puppies and cheered Cadence on with each one that was born. She was such a great mom from the start. The birth was a big surprise, we had no clue she was going to deliver when she did. We thought we had at least a week or more. Well, we all know that like babies, puppies come when they are ready.
A few weeks later, Harmony started showing signs of labor. We could see that she was struggling and decided that it was best to check her progesterone levels. We quickly learned that her body was trying to abort her puppies. We rushed her into emergency surgery and 14 puppies were delivered by C Section. Unfortunately the sweet souls didn’t make it. If we had waited another day, it could have taken Harmonys life too. We did tell the Veterinarian that we really wanted to save Harmony if anything. She was our number one priority. The puppies were a bonus but focus on Harmony.
It was so heart breaking to see the little lives that were lost. We wished we could have saved her puppies. We ended up giving her puppies the name “the choir”. The staff at the vet clinic were so caring and we all agreed... Harmony suffered a big loss and watching her over the next few days was going to be extremely important.
We gently carried Harmony to the car and drove her back to the ranch. Watching carefully for signs of postpartum depression, fevers or infections.
Cadence was across from the Harmony in the sunroom and Harmony would sit and watch Cadence nurse her pups. Harmony would watch for hours. Waking up when Cadence was up, sleeping when Cadence would sleep. Seeing the sadness on her face... it was pretty obvious she knew what had happened. You could tell she was thinking about her pups.
We rearranged the nursery for Cadence and moved her and pups and allowed Harmony to stay at her side only separated by a gate. We started to notice that when Cadence would go outside, Harmony would jump the whelping box to clean and care for Cadences pups. This started to be a habit for both girls. Pretty soon, CADENCE would welcome Harmony in and watch her puppies nurse off of Harmony. Keep in mind, Harmony has no milk but the puppies feel bonded to Harmony too.
Today, while our normal cleaning routine, we noticed Harmony back in with Cadence and of course, Cadence was just watching Harmony with her pups. Harmony laid down allowing the pups to nurse as she cleaning each one.
Harmony suffered a great loss. For Cadence to have compassion for another dog and allow another dog to nurse her pups is rare. Normally moms are very protective over their pups, but Cadence knew that she needed to help Harmony heal. It is heartwarming to see two dogs come together for each other. One needing a break and the other needing the sense of motherhood.
Harmony is getting her life back and learning family. She’s learning car rides, people and walking on a leash.
Harmony has come a very long way.
The traumatic events from her past and the recent loss of her pups, she hasn’t given up.... and we will never give up on her. She is the sweetest soul and promise to show her that she is so worthy of a family, life and love.
Thank you to those who support our rescue efforts. Because of you, Harmony is in our care and getting everything she needs.
A few weeks later, Harmony started showing signs of labor. We could see that she was struggling and decided that it was best to check her progesterone levels. We quickly learned that her body was trying to abort her puppies. We rushed her into emergency surgery and 14 puppies were delivered by C Section. Unfortunately the sweet souls didn’t make it. If we had waited another day, it could have taken Harmonys life too. We did tell the Veterinarian that we really wanted to save Harmony if anything. She was our number one priority. The puppies were a bonus but focus on Harmony.
It was so heart breaking to see the little lives that were lost. We wished we could have saved her puppies. We ended up giving her puppies the name “the choir”. The staff at the vet clinic were so caring and we all agreed... Harmony suffered a big loss and watching her over the next few days was going to be extremely important.
We gently carried Harmony to the car and drove her back to the ranch. Watching carefully for signs of postpartum depression, fevers or infections.
Cadence was across from the Harmony in the sunroom and Harmony would sit and watch Cadence nurse her pups. Harmony would watch for hours. Waking up when Cadence was up, sleeping when Cadence would sleep. Seeing the sadness on her face... it was pretty obvious she knew what had happened. You could tell she was thinking about her pups.
We rearranged the nursery for Cadence and moved her and pups and allowed Harmony to stay at her side only separated by a gate. We started to notice that when Cadence would go outside, Harmony would jump the whelping box to clean and care for Cadences pups. This started to be a habit for both girls. Pretty soon, CADENCE would welcome Harmony in and watch her puppies nurse off of Harmony. Keep in mind, Harmony has no milk but the puppies feel bonded to Harmony too.
Today, while our normal cleaning routine, we noticed Harmony back in with Cadence and of course, Cadence was just watching Harmony with her pups. Harmony laid down allowing the pups to nurse as she cleaning each one.
Harmony suffered a great loss. For Cadence to have compassion for another dog and allow another dog to nurse her pups is rare. Normally moms are very protective over their pups, but Cadence knew that she needed to help Harmony heal. It is heartwarming to see two dogs come together for each other. One needing a break and the other needing the sense of motherhood.
Harmony is getting her life back and learning family. She’s learning car rides, people and walking on a leash.
Harmony has come a very long way.
The traumatic events from her past and the recent loss of her pups, she hasn’t given up.... and we will never give up on her. She is the sweetest soul and promise to show her that she is so worthy of a family, life and love.
Thank you to those who support our rescue efforts. Because of you, Harmony is in our care and getting everything she needs.
