Rescue Tail / Mable’s Story: 1+11 = 12!

By Cathy Baier

Mable was a transplant from the north who arrived in Key West with her owner. He moved on when things didn’t work out for him, leaving Mable behind in the house where he’d been staying. When she gave birth to 11 puppies, we were contacted by the homeowner and Mable and her newborn family were surrendered to the shelter. We created a makeshift maternity ward in a quiet area of the kennel, and Mable went about the task of caring for her babies, in spite of everything. But a shelter is no place for a mom and puppies to stay long-term so, as we have done repeatedly in the past,  we turned to our very best foster mom. She has successfully raised several litters for us over the years but taking on a mom and eleven larger-breed puppies was a BIG ask! But as they always have done before, she and her husband, along with her dogs and cat, valiantly rose to the occasion.

The gifts this incredible foster mom gave to Mable and her puppies were stability, predictability, comfort, and a sense of safety. Beds, toys, crates, and exercise pens became the centerpiece of their living room for weeks, yet no one complained!  In this supportive environment, Mable was able to be a great mother and tend to her puppies like a pro, even though she was young herself. Even with her tiny babies to protect, she tolerated the presence of the resident dogs and cat well.

As the puppies grew, their foster mom provided an environment rich in learning and experience, and everything needed to get a great start in life. A consistent daily routine began the process of housetraining. The puppies learned to navigate steps, building confidence and coordination. A secure, fenced-in yard allowed for exploration. Supervised play with each other, mom, and other friendly dogs gave them safe opportunities to develop appropriate communication skills, which are so important for puppies to learn. Early “good manners” training was begun by simply rewarding calmness, sitting, and coming when called. We couldn’t imagine a better support system for a new mom or a better start for puppies than this wonderful foster family provided!

When the puppies were old enough to be weaned, it was time to leave their foster home for permanent homes. We received literally hundreds of inquiries after their irresistible pictures were posted on social media. (Their foster mom is also a great photographer!) One by one, the puppies were placed in new homes. Mable’s babies are now sharing and enjoying life with loving families up and down the Keys, from Key Largo to Key West.

This story wouldn’t be complete without an update on Mother Mable. Mable returned to the shelter when her puppies were old enough to be adopted. Unfortunately, because Mable had not been on heartworm prevention before she came to us, she tested positive for heartworms. Because of generous donors to our Oscar’s Fund, earmarked for medical care, we have been able to begin the heartworm treatment for Mable. Just like a shelter is no place to raise puppies, it’s also no place to undergo heartworm treatment. So, again Mable is in a foster home. This time her foster mom is a staff member who admits she is falling in love. We suspect this just might be Mable’s final foster home and first forever one!

There are many people to thank who made all of this possible. Without the shelter and its open-door policy and the staff who initially provided care, Mable and her eleven newborn puppies would not have had a safe place to settle. Without the unfailing generosity, time, effort, and patience of their foster family, (Yes, we consider them saints!) these puppies would never have had the great start they were given. Without the generous donors to Oscar’s Fund, Mable would not be able to receive the life-saving heartworm treatment she is currently undergoing. And without the wonderful families who are doing such a good job of raising these puppies, this story would not have such a happy ending. We are so grateful to all of them!!

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