Amazing Amy did it again. When we had x-rays taken to see how many puppies she would have this year, there was only one - - - A BIG ONE !! When we didn't get a temperature drop on her due date, a C-Section was recommended by Dr. Zella at the the Browsville-Lomira Small Animal Clinic.

Since our home for our Labs is Knobby Willow Hill, his daddy is "Sticky" - - what else to name this Big Guy - - - - "BIG STICK". After Trish dried and weiged BIG(1 lb - 3.5 oz), he was place in an incubator to warm up after his sudden removal from Amy. But unlike the previous litter that had just arrived, BIG STICK didn't just lay there and get warm, he circled the entire incubator to see if there were any pheasants or ducks to retrieve.

When we arrived home with Amy and Big Stick, they spent Saturday evening and night in the kitchen where we could keep an eye on them as they bonded. Bonding can be a problem for C-Section deliveries since the mother doesn't get to clean and recognized her new puppies as they are born. At the Clinic when Amy awoke from the anesthesia, BIG was allowed to nurse and get some of the very vital "first milk", but she was still very drowsy. Sometimes it can take days for bonding, but not for Amy, a most caring and dedicated mother.