Canine Moms at Summer School?
Published February 2004

It was a normal summer day in July, 2003, when I saw my old friend, Hank, laying on the sidewalk in front of a portable building at Stevenson Middle School. Hank is a German Shepherd who has been a feral stray in my neighborhood since I moved there a couple years ago. Hank ran with an ever changing pack, and I would always stop to leave food for them when spotted. I hadn't seen Hank in a long time, so I pulled into the school to leave some food and say "Hi." As I approached, I noticed he was with a smaller, orange female (later named Shiloh). She barked at me and darted under the portable as I approached, and when I bend down to get a look at her, I saw why. There, lying in the dirt, were 5 puppies, about 2 weeks only - eyes still closed. Just then, Summer, a female yellow Lab, who has been in Hank's pack for over a year, darted out from under the ramp of the portable.
I immediately got on the phone for reinforcements. Help came and we got a closer look at Shiloh's pups. As we looked over her pups, we heard a teeny, tiny cry from under the ramp, where Summer had been. We knelt down, dug out some dirt, and found four puppies with umbilical cords still attached. They couldn't have been over a day old.
After much consideration, we decided to take 3 of the 2 week old pups into our care, and try to trap the mothers the next day. The day old pups would not be removed yet, because they still needed the vital colostrum from mom's milk.
After calling around town like crazy, we borrowed a dog trap from the Southern Animal Rescue Association (SARA) in Seguin. Thanks Tracy!


Shiloh and her pups at the
Animal Defense League


One of Summer's pups sleeping happily
at her foster home.

 The next evening, we found that the mothers had moved their puppies. Shiloh just moved her remaining two pups under another portable, but Summer's two day old puppies were no where to be found.
We set the trap for Shiloh and waited. After about 2 hours, we had her in the trap and gathered up her remaining 2 pups. Thankfully, the Animal Defense League agreed to take the mom and all 5 puppies into their care (they named mom Shiloh) and find homes for everyone.
The next evening, we found Summer and her puppies across the street in a very overgrown culvert. When we stumbled upon them, Summer grabbed one of her pups, the only black one, and took off. We scooped up the 3 yellow pups she left behind and set the trap for Summer. After hours without any results, we had to give up for the night.
Eyes still closed, the puppies had to be bottle fed and attended to continuously. A wonderful foster parent with Hill Country Animal League, who had taken in Shiloh's 3 pups until she was trapped, agreed to now care for these pups.

We continued trying to trap Summer the next night, but we couldn't find her. We had to eventually give up and hope that one pup, living as a stray with mom, had a better chance than four.
Every day, we looked for Summer. Weeks passed, and then she finally appeared. I followed her to an undeveloped area when she ducked into a patch of trees and bushes. As I snuck up to the area, I saw Hank, guarding the area. As soon as he and Summer saw me, they took off. That gave me a chance to snoop around. There in the bushes, was Summer's fourth little pup, now about 5 weeks old, staring out at me in surprise. I was thrilled!
Luckily, the next day, the pup was still there, and I was able to crawl into the bushes and retrieve her. Once again, we tried to trap Summer, but she wasn't going for it and stayed far from sight.
Unfortunately, Summer never was trapped, but Summer's puppies all found wonderful homes, with the help of Hill Country Animal League.

I have seen Summer a few times since then, and hopefully, this spring, we can try trapping her again, before she decides to have another litter.

Many thanks to all who helped with this rescue - SARA, ADL, and HCAL. You all are wonderful!


Summer's 3 yellow pups: Summer, Dot,
and Bear.


Summer's 4th pup, Norma Jean.