In an emergency situation this past weekend, Georgia based rescue group Hounds In Pounds didn’t waste a moment helping an eight-year-old Golden Retriever in active labor and about to deliver a litter of puppies.
The non profit organization received a 911 plea from a friend close to the rescue begging for help. The dog named Butternut had been in labor, and her “owner” stated she could not afford to pay for a C-section the dog would need to deliver the pups. According to one of the contacted individuals, Butternut had already delivered four litters in the past.
When Butternut’s water broke, instead of getting her the care she needed, she tried to dump her at the shelter—at closing time. The shelter refused to take her. So she did the next logical thing—if you’re the actual devil: she tried to leave Butternut in the shelter parking lot.
It had been a Good Samaritan who saw what was happening, and terrified at what could have happened to the dog, offered to take her. The owner didn’t show much concern.
Help soon arrived.
One of our Georgia whelping fosters dropped everything—left work, left life—to pick up Butternut and get her to safety. She’s now in a quiet home, being monitored with care and compassion. For the first time in her life, someone is watching her with love.
In a description, her foster home stated Butternut is beyond sweet. She begs to be touched. She leans into kindness like she’s starving for it. Sadly, she’s in pain and confused. And she was doing her best; because dogs don’t complain even when humans fail them.
At eight years of age, Butternut should not have been in labor ready to deliver puppies. Unfortunately, all of her life she has been used as a breeder dog. Her value had only been measured in how many litters she has produced and how much money the puppies brought in when ready to be sold.
Butternut went into active labor on Sunday. She was transferred to the emergency hospital just in case anything went wrong.
In an update today, tragically Butternut had no viable puppies. Although it’s very sad, and it has been reported how heartbroken she is, there is some relief; knowing that Butternut will never have to suffer another pregnancy again.
And even sadder; when Butternut returned to her foster home, she tried to nurse her stuffed animals.
She doesn’t know how to be a dog who isn’t tethered to puppies—because no one ever let her be. She’s been conditioned to mother, to serve, to produce. And now, in the absence of real babies, she clings to her stuffies like they’re all she has left.
This afternoon Butternut was spayed. It will help regulate her hormones and give her a starting point. She will have a chance to begin the long, overdue journey of becoming a dog who is loved for whom she is; not for the puppies she can produce.
By the way, Butternut brought one of her favorite stuffies into the operating room when being prepared to be spayed.
A few quick answers to the most common questions:
• Butternut is approximately 8 years old.
• She will be available for adoption once she is fully vetted, spayed, microchipped, and her body has had time to heal.
• Hounds in Pounds will be posting timely updates with photos and sharing application information when she’s ready
Donate to help:
Text HIP to 44-321
PayPal: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1289792
Zelle: [email protected]
Venmo: venmo.com/houndsinpounds
Beware of imposter accounts with slight variations
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