How the Little Rascals surprised us!

Tomorrow my first litter will be eight weeks old.  It has been a wonderful experience...everything I hoped it would be.  These four sweet little puppies have grown into romping, happy, loving frenchies.  Each has a personality of its own!

It all started a week before we were headed to Florida on vacation.  My daughter, Gracelyn, said, "Mom...I think Darla is pregnant."  I knew instantly that she was right!  Everything clicked. I hadn't suspected a possible pregnancy because Alfalfa had seemed completely uninterested in Darla during the last heat.  Apparently, I missed something!!!

My wonderful friend volunteered to be my puppy midwife in my absence.  We got an x-ray and confirmed three spines and possibly a fourth.  My family headed to Florida and waited daily to hear good news.

Because both Darla and Alfalfa were born naturally (free whelped), we were hopeful that Darla would do the same.  Our vet was on call if needed for a c-section, but Darla free whelped two girls and two boys.  She did her best to wait for our return from vacation, but we took too long.  She delivered Buckwheat followed by Jane while we were driving to the airport to come home.  We touched down in LAX to find out Dorothy and Petey had followed.  Four beautiful healthy pups were nursing hungrily and mama was healthy and happy.  Pawsome!