Well, they aren't little puppies anymore.
On their 10th week, which was in the beginning of October, I placed ads in the local classifieds. I wanted to keep them all, or at least keep them longer, but my house was becoming chaotic with kids and puppies running around everywhere. When I knew it was time to rehome, I would watch them sleep, play, pet them and hold them, and try to absorb every minute I had left with them.
Their arrival was so unexpected and I was so angry at the hand I was dealt; buying a dog that I didn't even know was pregnant. I would never take that night back, though. Even the tell-tale blood stain on my new sofa from when they were born. I was there when they entered the world and watched with wonder as they took their first breaths and their little tongues turned pink with life. I got to kiss their puppy heads and smell their puppy breath and I watched as each one of them grew into their own personalities.
There was Fats, the first-born. He was huge and Reesee had the hardest time pushing him out. Fats had an appetite that was out of this world. He was the hardest of the three to wean. Twice the size of his runt brother, he would waddle around with the confidence of knowing that he could push the others around. But he was the sweetest fattest thing. And he loved pillows. I mean loved them! Just like his mom. There were nights where he would sleep under my pillows. When he got tired, he would bury himself into a pile of pillows and disappear.Reesee does the exact same thing.
Then there was Lebron, the runt. He had my heart. When he was born, he had trouble breathing. I didn't have time to prepare, it was happening so fast. I panicked when he was lying their lifeless and grabbed him up, hung him upside down, and gave his chest a quick squeeze. Gunk came flying out of his mouth and then he started to breathe. I will never forget that. He was sooooo tiny. I would always have to check to make sure he was nursing and would usually have to fend his brothers off so he could eat. What he lacked in size, he made up for in personality. He was a vicious little thing. Once he was old enough, Lebron would growl at his brothers if they got in his way, took a toy, or climbed in my lap. He was rough at play, and would often send the other two screaming and running away from his wrath. He loved peanut butter on a Ritz cracker. That was his special treat.
Last but not least came Ollie. The last of the three boys. Ollie is beautiful. The fluffiest little frou-frou looking puppy ever. He is a toe-biter. As soon as he learned how to walk, he was after toes. I would have to wear slippers all the time just to avoid his sharp little teeth.
Dozens of people answered my ads and I was so frazzled. I wanted them to go to the best home they could find, but meeting someone doesn't necessarily mean you know what kind of life the dog may have. I had to leave out of town in a few days and I was really pressed for time. I wasn't able to really screen like I had wanted to in the beginning. I put it in God's hands, prepared my care packages for the puppies, and made lists for each one of them with their important info and likes and dislikes.
The first two ladies arrived about 30 seconds apart. The lady that chose Fats fell in love with him as soon as she walked through my door. He liked her as well and it happened so quickly. I got a really good vibe from her and she was smitten with Fats. And then he was gone.
The second lady stayed a while. I told her that Lebron was already taken because I wasn't sure she would be able to handle a puppy like him. She took to Ollie. I was really worried that she was too young. She just moved out on her own with a roommate and started her teaching career. But I let Ollie go.
I kept Lebron for a couple more days. Losing all 3 at once would have been too hard for me to bear. And then Lebron's owner came by. A young man. He was so excited about the puppy and had a big grin on his face when he said, I already have a name for him...Lebron...King James (after the athelete). Again, I was worried....but I knew he would do alot better in a home with a young man rather than with kids or someone who couldn't handle a puppy with so much energy. I fed Lebron his last peanut butter ritz and said good-bye.
When he left I cried and cried. Even my kids cried. I ended up going to work with swollen eyes the next day I cried so hard. It felt like I had lost a child.
I've never heard from Fat's new mom about how he is doing, but I have a feeling he is getting along fine. Ollie's mom sends me updates. I've posted them under his picture in my profile in case you want to read them. Lebron's dad sends me occasional updates. He did send me one the day after he got him, and I was very appreciative of that because I miss that little man sooooo much. Reesee seemed indifferent to it all. She did search for them when they were gone, which upset me even more. She seemed relieved to have her house back more than anything.