Penny and the Pups!

The "Dog Days of Summer" have brought more than just stifling heat to our neighborhood - a rescue momma dog and her seven puppies have been Lido Shore guests at the Carvel house for the past 2 months.

Lynn Carvel with 2 pups at 6-weeks-old

So how did that happen? Still grieving the loss of my 15-year-old Scottish Terrier, and the first time in thirty years without a dog in the house, I decided to take a drive to Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Bradenton on May 11th just to "show" my daughter this incredible no-kill shelter. I had no intentions of adopting a dog, but left that afternoon as a foster mom with a very pregnant hound-mix that they said was going to deliver in 2 weeks. Randon was in out of town and had no clue—imagine his surprise when I picked him up at SRQ airport just two days later with a pregnant hound in the backseat! 

Momma dog (now named Penny) looked like she was about to burst for a reason—within a few hours after Randon’s arrival (and just 48 hours after I brought her home from Nate’s) she went into labor. That evening from 6:45pm until 1am, Penny delivered 9 pups. Despite my performing CPR (mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions) on 2 stillborn pups, they didn't make. It was heartbreaking! However, 7 survived and are now healthy, adorable, 8-week-old puppies that will be available for adoption at Nate’s on Saturday, July 13th. 

It has been a busy two months for the Carvel family—definitely a labor of love, but one that has brought so much joy into our home. If only we lived on a farm, we would adopt all of them, but currently that’s not an option. However, we are adopting Penny (the mom), and one pup. So very soon, you will be seeing two new dogs in the neighborhood (and don't worry, I will pick up their poop 😊). 

Penny nursing her 9-day-old pups. 

I am especially grateful to Nate’s for all they do. Had they not intervened, Penny and her unborn pups would have been euthanized in a facility in Georgia, and this amazing momma dog and her 7 beautiful babies would have never had the opportunity to bring so much joy into so many people’s lives! 

If you are unfamiliar with Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, please go to their website: https://www.nateshonoranimalrescue.organd check them out—or better yet, go visit the dogs at 4951 Lorraine Rd, Bradenton or the kittens at the adoption center in Cooper Creek. 

Our own Stuart Barzman is on Nate’s Executive Board of Directors and is happy to answer any questions you may have. Even if you can’t adopt one, please consider donating to this amazing organization! 

~Lynn Carvel