I’m not feeling real hopeful now for the wee one. I named her Hope, by the way. I know we’ve already had a “Hope” before, but I don’t think her mom will mind.

She has been gaining weight, which is what we want. But she is not very active and her breathing seems labored. The vet started her on antibiotics tonight for a possible diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. I tried to get a hold of my husband before he drove home from work so he could pick up the prescription for me, but somehow I missed his return phone call after I left him a message earlier today. So I fed Hope her dinner, then hopped in his still warm car and made the seventy mile round trip to WalMart pharmacy before it closed.

She’s had her first dose. I’m just praying it’s not too late and it can help her. She’s getting her tummy full of warm milk, she’s parked next to the wood stove cuddled in a pile with her brothers and sisters, laying on a heating pad. I even made her a little sweater today. But Reba keeps taking it off her. And she’s getting subcutaneous fluids. I don’t know what else to do; besides pray. So that’s what I’ll continue to do.

You know, as a dog breeder sometimes we lose a puppy. Unfortunately, it’s a part of life. For some reason when they’re newborn little creatures it’s not quite as hard because sometimes there are complications at birth and it happens. (Trust me, I don’t like losing them at any age). But baby Hope has her eyes open now, and well, she’s not just a baby gopher-looking creature anymore. She’s a two week old puppy that’s peering around with little peepers and that makes the thought of losing her even worse.

I sure don’t want her to suffer. But I sure would love to see her strong, happy, healthy and playing with the other puppies in a couple weeks when they start interacting.

Prayers appreciated!