Many of our supporters will know that on December 18, 2008 - an arctic storm hit us here at Daphneyland and left 3-5 FEET of snow.  Knocking out power, bursting pipes and blocking our road for 4 days - no running water for 7 days.  We were completely self-sufficient for those 7 days due to sheer determination and emergency planning.  We are still recovering and have another storm upon us tonight - Christmas.

Here's what you don't know.

2 weeks prior to this storm, a female basset - named Holly was owner surrendered by being driven up to the ranch unannounced.  Not wanting harm to befall her - we took her in.  We called our vet to schedule a spay, but as she showed every sign of being in heat, we were advised to wait until December 18 for the spay, so that her cycle was completed, thereby not complicating the spay.

Of course the 18th was the day of teh Blizzard and 50 mph winds, power ins and outs and caring for 100 hounds precluded any attempt to get her to the vet.  Gestation is 60-62 days - not of huge concern, or so we thought.

Tuesday Holly's milk came in and yesterday Holly "dropped" - meaning the pups we were unaware of, entered are preparing to make an appearance here at Daphneyland amidst the newest storm.

Our incredible friend, Ha Adolfo has been frantically raising funds for a generator to get us thru these types of emergencies when electrical goes out and we loose the ability to get heat and water - and so, we think it very appropriate to name the pups in honor of Rescuers Helper's Fundraising drive - For each $10.00 donation, please include a potential name for a pup - based on power or generators!!

Holly's temp is at 99.4 - we are told we can expect delivery within 12 hours of 99.0 - but then again, when Roxie had her Firecrackers, she dropped in less than 20 minutes - so we have no idea what the next 24 hours will hold!!

These funds raised will go into the general fund to help with the cost of vet care with Mommie and the puppies.  As you know, puppies are not cheap to whelp and a million things can go wrong.  If everything goes right, we have puppy shots, deworming, spay & neuter, wellness visits, food and supplements.

Help us name the Blizzard Pups - once they whelp I'll post them - then we can play "Guess who Daddy might have been"

PUPPY UPDATE:  JANUARY 7 2009

AND HERE IT IS - Holly has been in and out of labor since Christmas Eve - last Friday she went into hard labor and Uncle Lance helped stay until 4 a.m. when she started snoring.  We rushed Holly off To Dr. Loken DVM on Saturday, and took film which showed 7 pups.  Dr. Loken felt she was not in distress, gave her a calcium shot and told us to wait it out.  We consulted wiht the following angels on Holly's case and wish to thank them for always being there for us: Sandy Gaston, Sue Shoemaker, Sukey Shor, Marie Radebaugh, Don & Pam Bullock and Dr. Young Kim DVM.  It was decided to attempt to let Holly go natural - but if she did not deliver within a normal time frame, we would head out to Warner Pet Hospital for c-section.  After 13 hard hours of labor, Holly headed to the loving and caring hands of Dr. Jackson and Dr. Johnson - where she delivered by c-section - NINE puppies.  That's right N-I-N-E!!!  We have raised our page limit to accomodate the extra puppies we were not expecting, as well as Holly's c-section bill.  Puppy names will be chosen on January 17, 2009!!  Get your name and donations in!!  The pups need names!

 Januray 21, 2009 - We lost a puppy, however all other 8 pups are growing like weeds!  Our naming of the pups wil be this coming Saturday 1/24/09 and we shall post the names here!  Holly is doing very well, and cannot wait for the pups to be weaned, in their homes and she can head off to her new adoptive home with Aunti Suz in Texas!!

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!  Donations are tax deductible.  Paypal donations are recipient: BarniatDaphneyland@yahoo.com

Check s can be made out to BaRNI and mailed to: 6221 Shannon Valley Rd, Acton, CA 93510

Donations rec'd offline:

*Norma & James Ferris $50.00 * Norman Goldman $250.00 * Susan Davenport $10.00 - name: Allyson * Sandy Huddleston $50.00 name: Stormy, Windy, Thunder * Beth Howering $10.00 name: Puddles * The Hogan Foundation: $731.00 medical grant *