Introducing My Furry Four-Legged Family

Gracie, Koa, Jimmy and Apollo.

So last year, while I was having my lengthy mental breakdown, our 2 year old Goldendoodle, Koa, had an R-rated visit with our best friends' 2 year old Maremma, and she became pregnant. We share owning our property with our best friends, so the dogs see each other a lot. As Koa's due date came closer, my mental health ws declining more and I was frantic as to what I was going to do when she delivers her puppies. How will I manage their care when I can barely look after myself.

Sunday, June 11, 2023, we could see that Koa was pacing, and pacing, and couldn't get comfortable. We set up a kids swimming pool in our living room, and put a cover over it like a cave, and as soon as we were out, Koa got situated to give birth. Koa pulled at Paul to get into the pool with her, and he did so as the first puppy was being born. We were there comforting and assisting Koa with the puppies' birth. She birthed 13 total puppies, with one stillborn, like a pro. She was so calm and knew what to do as each puppy was born. Witnessing animal instinct and the creation and birthing of life, up close, was truly awe inspiring and almost magical. Watching Koa systematically do her post birth work (tearing open the sack and eating it -I know, yuck) as each puppy was born, with each step carefully being done in the same order, puppy after puppy.

The following few days I slept little, and I was focused on making sure each puppy got enough milk from Koa. There were some that weren’t looking as good, but I was on it. I would give extra boob time to the smaller ones, and I created a system of how I rotate them on the boobs so that I could keep track of who was eating more, and who needed to eat more, and checking for dehydration. Any that looked like they were struggling I gave extra time to. My OCD came in handy! I’m happy to say that against the odds, all 12 puppies survived and were doing amazingly well at their 4 day check up. The vet was happy. Which made me happy, but also relieved. 

Over the next few months, I continued to struggle, and my mental health continued to decline. In addition to having Depression, Anxiety and OCD, I now had Panic Disorder and multiple physical and medical trauma PTSD diagnoses. I was having medical trauma flashbacks and was breaking down multiple times a day. I was having panic attacks when out in the community, and got overwhelmed easily if there were competing noises and multiple conversations happening. But the puppies, they were my constant. They needed me, and I suppose, despite how much work it was, I needed them too. I focused on giving all the puppies cuddle time, and making sure Koa was well watered and fed. She was after all eating for 12! I am proud to say that we found homes for 9 very loved and nurtured puppies, our best friends took one, and we took one…and also ended up with the one that hadn’t sold. So we are the forever home for two of Koa’s puppies, Jimmy, a golden colour and the runt, and Apollo, a light cream and white colour, that was the last puppy left. What a joy he is. They both are.   

If I may go back to October, 2017, when our first dog, Gracie, a Miniature Schnauzer/Miniature Poodle mix, came to live with us as a puppy. They call her breed “Schnoodles” - so cute! We call Gracie our “little big sister”, and she is the boss. She likes to tell the big dogs what to do, especially if they are doing something wrong. Gracie will let us know! Gracie loves getting belly rubs and is not shy to ask. She also is an expert at asking for treats in different ways.

We got Koa as a puppy in the summer of 2021, from a local’s litter. She was the only golden coloured Goldendoodle in her litter of 8, her brothers and sisters are all black and white. Although we never intentionally sought out having 4 dogs, and it’s not all sunshine and roses, I wouldn’t trade them in for anything. I’ve bonded with each one, especially Koa, who is my unofficial emotional support animal. I bonded with her 12 puppies and gave them a loving and healthy start to their lives and they are all lovely dogs. The people we homed them to send us pictures and updates, and everyone seems very happy with them. They get their good temperaments from their parents. Koa is very loving and nurturing, especially woith me, and knows when my pain is bad. She sticks close to me on those days, following me even to the bathroom. Koa’s favourite place is to be on my lap on my recliner, with me rubbing and petting her ears, cheeks, head and shoulders, while I read, or watch tv. It’s as much for me as it is for her. I find the act of petting my dogs to be very therapeutic and calming and they are happy to oblige.

Do you have pets that are unofficial emotional support animals? Doesn’t have to be dogs, could be cats, fish, or any animal that you feel gives you emotional support. 

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