Having a Hearing Dog litter during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Who would have known in December 2019 that the introduction of a new Hearing dog litter would be affected in numerous ways by a global Covid-19 pandemic? I was due to take my Brood Roo a Working Cocker Spaniel for a professional photo shoot but as she came into season on the 4th December, I contacted my breeding team lead and we were asked not to attend. A brood on heat would be a distraction to the dogs in training at the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf head office (The Grange). Oh, dear our routine was going to be disrupted. No more bonkers runs in the local fields as there were too many full males who showed a definite interest. The extendable lead proved to be a godsend as I rarely catch up with my little lady.
Our first trip for a premate blood test on 10 December went ok. Roo was happy to be taken off by the practice nurse, no worries just her trademark wagging tail. In the new Breeding centre, opened in November 2019 at The Grange, the breeding team have replica testing machines that the vets have to analyse the hormone levels so an extra sample was taken to the Grange so that the team could start to learn how to use their own lab machine. First test results showed that there was some way to go before the ideal date to get the handsome Show Cocker Spaniel, Ed into the Grange for a blind date. Two more blood test visits (without a wagging tail) and Ed was called into the Grange on 16 and 17 December so that the breeding team could provide the ideal blind date setting. The Stud holder and I could enjoy a coffee and a natter keeping away from the action. The breeding team appeared happy so off we went hopeful that the results would be good.
On 21st January a scan I was privileged to attend showed that Roo had at least 4 pups brewing inside. I can honestly say that the vet was seeing something I found difficult to see but I was happy to accept. Now – how do I make certain that an extremely boisterous Spaniel is looked after correctly and ensures her pups are safe. The breeding team kept in frequent touch listening to my concerns about the speed she did everything at and reassured me that essentially the dog knows their limits and we can just do things to prevent excessive exertion like throwing the tennis ball in the same direction they are running rather than make them change direction too often. Roo is a small red Spaniel and whilst she did develop a belly near to whelp date, it wasn’t overly obvious that the 4 pups were taking up much room.
Constant support was forthcoming from the breeding team, worming, changing the food and administering a flea treatment at the end of January. Dropping off whelping and associated equipment, disinfectant and hand sanitizer. My ground floor was being taken over ready for the big event. Nest building and restlessness, restlessness and nest building increased in intensity until at 01:00 on 14 February, I called my breeding team lead to explain what was going on. Experience meant that he’d wait a little longer before accompanying me at the birth. A calm period at 03:00 saw me sat on the floor with my left arm around Roo in her bed with the whelping box on my right. No panting no restlessness, no nest building but a damp feeling on my fingers. The first part of my Valentine’s Day present from Roo had arrived. Instinctively she kicked into dutiful mum mode. The sack was broken, the little chap was breathing and was being well and truly cleaned up. A second call to my breeding team lead advising that all was well and proceeding nicely and my buddy was on his way.
On arrival, Roo had produced 3 more pups. 3 Boys and a girl. ‘OK that’s it’ we said to Roo who was busy cleaning, stimulating and admiring her pups. Her instincts snapped into action and whilst she was accepting of them being taken off her for a quick inspection and being weighed her eyes never left them. Always one to be generous with her affection, she slowly added more to my Valentine’s Day present. By 08:00 a further 2 boys and a girl had entered my life. Having given her time to settle in with her pups we tried to persuade her into the garden for a toilet break – No chance she told us with her Roo stare. My buddy was outside my kitchen so I gently tried to coax her over the step only to be greeted by an eighth pup, another boy. The Valentine’s Day litter affectionally referred to as the Rooetts was complete.
Life was good. Roo was taking to motherhood well and I was getting exhausted watching. Whilst I had milk substitute and syringes should milk production be a challenge, Roo quickly turned her raging hormones into milk production. Internal events had overtaken global events unfolding in January and early February and whilst UK citizens were caught up in the Covid-19 trauma, it was seemingly far away in China and Japan. Cruise ships unable to dock and whole cities being locked down in the Far East. Then this dreadful pandemic inevitably spread globally. Cases in Europe, the USA and worryingly the 1st case in York meaning it had moved to the UK too and inevitably by 28th February it was clear that it was being passed on inside the UK. By March 23rd our Prime Minister addressed the nation instructing all of us to ‘ Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives ‘
In the intervening time, the breeding team had brought me more equipment, more disinfectant, more newspapers – more everything!… and so I was set up for a safe lockdown. Prisoner with Eight boisterous pups and an adoring mum making my input easy. In order to ensure all involved with this litter remained safe the weekly physical visits from the breeding team were rightly curtailed, tests on the pups regarding their hearing and temperament were postponed. These were nice to knows rather than critical to their development. Throughout the chaos being thrust on everyone, the team ensured that I had everything I needed in terms of equipment, advice and support. Their preparation and foresight had worked perfectly for me – Roo was doing the rest!
The initial plan had forecasted that 14 April 2020 was freedom day. I’d take the pups to the Grange and their new volunteers would pick them up. But so much of the initial plan had changed due to global events. Concerns were growing that stricter lockdown measures may be introduced. Should the transfer take place slightly earlier? Lockdown planning by the breeding team sorted this out to precision.. Ensuring my and their safety by instructing the social distancing methods they had put together, Two of the team arrived on 7th April, one was taking the puppies for a vet check and the vaccination they’d missed out on and the other was taking all the equipment that they’d provided – thankfully they knew they needed a big van for that.
What a super experience this has been despite the external pandemic and the chaos it has inflicted on the country and this wonderful charity. The distraction that eight puppies have caused and the enjoyment of watching their characters develop has been a great experience. The pups are now happily settled with their new volunteer families and being given the care, support and love that these cheeky guys deserve. I look forward to hearing about their progress and clearly wish them well. My next task is to rebuild the garden that I have enjoyed watching being systematically destroyed. Oh and let Roo run like the clappers again when it’s safe to get out.
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