Athena and Her Pups Are Fighting To Survive
GSROC was contacted about an emaciated momma shepherd who had given birth to 14 puppies in a field. She was confiscated by Animal Control and crunched into a small kennel with her bevvy of newborns. Thanks to the support of fellow animal lovers, Athena was transported from the shelter with her 10 surviving babies and arrived in a warm foster home.
However, shortly after arriving, tragedy struck. One by one, Athena began to separate her puppies from the rest, preventing them from getting warmth or nourishment. She couldn't produce enough milk for them all, so she was instinctively trying to protect the strongest few. A dedicated team of puppy nannies stepped in and began to administer round-the-clock bottle feedings, and Athena seems happier to be relieved of this responsibility. She is painfully thin and very weak from her recent delivery, so she is still in the veterinary hospital receiving antibiotics and supplements.
Despite heroic efforts, four more puppies succumbed to pneumonia, probably contracted at the animal shelter or as a result of being born in the wild. Our team is focusing all of our resources and efforts on helping the remaining six puppies keep fighting for their lives.
Three teams of volunteers are attending to two puppies each to ensure that the puppies have the best chance of survival possible. These wonderful angels get up in the middle of the night to feed the babies and provide them with human contact to let them know that they are loved.
UPDATE
1/8/2011 One of Athena's puppies is very ill and has been rushed to our vet. We don't know what it is yet---they are very concerned. This morning, our vet said they are having to force feed her to get her to eat. She will remain in the hospital for the weekend. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is half the weight of all of her siblings!
12/24/2010 update:
The good news: Athena's remaining 6 puppies are slowly gaining strength & health thanks to our volunteers who have been bottle feeding them.
The bad news: Athena is battling mastitis - an infection of one of our milk glands. This requires more treatment and is increasing our costs. In addition, she remains alarmingly thin and is requiring a special diet.
12/1 Athena weighs only 44 pounds and that is since we have been providing her with high calorie food. She was just a skeleton when she arrived. Five of the six babies seem to be turning the corner, but one is still battling pneumonia. We don't want resources to be the reason that we have to give up--please help if you can.
12/6 A bit of good news--the babies seem brighter now and they are definitely growing stronger. Now our concern has turned to Athena, the momma dog, as she seems very weak.
Please help us with a donation in any amount to allow us to provide them with the critical care that they are receiving right now.
If you are looking for a way to make a difference during this season of compassion, kindness and miracles, please consider making a donation to help Athena and her babies to defy the odds.
Your gift in any amount will ensure that we can provide them with the very best care available so that we can continue to support them for as long as they want to keep fighting. No gift is too small when it comes from the heart--these puppies have no one to love them. Can they count on you?
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- please forward this page on to all the animal lovers you know who might be able to help.