She's now a first time mom of three. One of our best friend’s Boston terrier just had a litter of pups. This is her first litter and will be her last. Holly is a tiny thing and was bred with Max of Brian’s Bostons. She’s the daughter of Nika the 2nd and she’s the most adorable little purse Boston you ever did see. Just don’t expect to use it again because it will smell like butt. And something that died. Sort of like my utility closet right now.
Every time I go to their house I want to sneak her home with me. She’s a little cuddle bear and loves to nestle on your lap where upon she’ll demand belly rubs and reward you with a notorious Boston terrier kiss. Only she insists on sneaking some tongue. I don’t mind dog slobber, but this one eats poop. In fact, she has a penchant for poop. This is her dirty little secret. Poop is a delicacy in her diet. She’s not at all discriminate as every turd is gourmet in her book. If it comes out of something’s rear end, it’s better than any Scooby snack, that’s for sure.
Somehow though, when you have four legs, are adorable and sweeter than honey, people over look the fact that your favorite snack is poop and they love you anyway. I’m debating on whether or not to buy the little girl because I’ve wanted another Boston for awhile. Vinny, whose dad is Biker Boy, needs a sister or brother. But, I’m broke and much too lazy to house train a dog in the winter.
It really isn't the right time for another pup, but oh, they’re so cute and so soft and so cuddly and so adorable. And yes, so much work. Squishy couldn't wait to meet them. He’s been patiently waiting to see the puppies and since I photograph every litter for their portfolios we made a day out of it. There was food, six kids, four dogs, Guitar Hero and three puppies. In other words, total chaos.
Squishy was the first one of us to visit the mama and her babies and he was joined by my friend’s three year old. She’s got a preschool crush on him. What girl wouldn't? (He'd better start saving his allowance now. That girl has sixty different Gymboree outfits. And the purses to match.)
Holly bear is just glad someone else is there to give her a minutes rest. She’s not making that much milk of yet, but that doesn’t stop those puppies from munching on her like little piranhas. Kids tend to do this. They suck you dry of both milk and money, and the magical part is, they leave you fuller than you've ever been. She’s quite the pampered new mom though as H is making her this insanely rich pudding that smelled so good I almost got a bowl. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you're extremely tempted to steal pudding intended for a lactating animal. But there, I said it. I licked the spoon. Twice.
If I begin lactating, well than poetic justice will be had.
Here A is introducing Squishy to the littlest puppy.
I've never seen a child who could articulate full sentences with a chewie in her mouth, but this child can. She's rather talented.
“Look at her pretty neck. I have a pretty neck too.”
Uh huh, can I hold her?
“You kiss her like this."
"Ok, can I hold her now?"
Like most guys, Squishy doesn’t have any use for all that talking and wooing, just wants to hold that sweet black and white fur-ball of love.
So he found a puppy of his own.
Awwww. Squishy would make such a great big brother.
Squishy wants her SO bad and he promises to take care of her; he does, he does, he really does. It’s true. Really. He promises to feed her, really, he does. Oh, oh, oh, he will clean up her poop, he will, he will, really he will.
Hmm, but you haven't touched Vinny's food bowl in months. Back when you turned it into a swimming pool for your super heroes, remember? It's still missing.
But please, mom. pleeaaaassee, pretty please!
We’ll see. Well talk about it. Later.
Ergh! Mooomm, 'we'll see' and 'later' mean no. Grown ups always say that when they mean no.
I'm clearly raising a genius. I better work on new stall statics.
As I was taking the pictures of Holly and her triplets, I realized that dog mamas are a lot like us. Some of them breastfeed and some of them bottle feed and some of them do both. After all, what’s a girl to do if her spare nipples get bit off? And even though they have no idea what they’re getting into, somehow their maternal side kicks in.
They endure all kinds of discomfort for the benefit of their baby. Even if it feels like a tiny bear claw is shredding up her cleavage.
They also have to endure incessant whining. This mom just prefers to ignore it. After all, once baby bumps into the wall, he'll figure out he's going the wrong way. We hope.
They relish time with baby. But look forward to nap time too.
They also have to clean up after baby's yucky bits. Thank God for disposable diapers.
Or in this case, nature's version of a baby wipe.
I think I just vomited in my mouth a little. Excuse me while I look away.
They sneak in a little pick me up throughout the day. What mom doesn't need a coffee break? Or, if you prefer, a stinky rawhide.
Mmmm..Mmm.Does that come in mocha flavor?
They also end up sharing their goodies.
I don't know of many moms of small children that ever managed to eat a full yogurt without help. A wise mom once told me to keep a secret stash in my bedroom, which I tried. It works pretty good too, occasionally my offspring leave me a few pieces of leftover chocolates. Along with their wrappers.
Duty calls again. They get used to being an all night diner.
Sometimes they get snarly when the kids don't share and play nice.
"Quit your whining! I've got eight nipples and there's only three of you!"
They love to pose for family portraits and show off their brood.
She's off to a good start. After seventeen years of parenting and 800,000 photographs, I'm lucky if I'm in four of them.
They find that they can love another baby just as much as the rest.
Only, they have to nurse them all at once, again, for the fourth time in an hour. Try that for patience.
They’re often exhausted, but they hang in there.
Until they just stay awake one more minute.
(At least their babies can’t roll off the bed. All but three of mine did. Ker Plunk! Don't worry, somehow they turned out alright, their just a little weird is all, but I like em' that way.)
Get your rest, Holly Bear. And don’t worry about that poochy tummy, it makes a great baby pillow. And Hooray for push-up bras.
