Posted on 05/27/2018 1:20:10 AM PDT by EinNYC
Travelers killing time at Tampa International Airport’s Gasparilla Bar got an unexpected show Friday when a dog gave birth to eight puppies near Gate F81.
The 2-year-old golden retriever, Eleanor Rigby, owner Diane Van Atter, and the puppies’ father, Golden Nugget, were waiting to board an afternoon flight home to Philadelphia when the dog went into labor.
They missed the flight, and for the next three hours created a fuzzy spectacle as crowds gathered with phones trying to capture the scene.
The puppies were delivered with assistance from Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics stationed at the airport, as well as a nurse who had to leave halfway though the delivery to catch her own flight.
Other passengers came and went, casually sipping their coffees and charging their phones as they watched puppy after puppy delivered on the carpet, airport spokeswoman Emily Nipps said.
"I’ve never seen anything like this in an airport, or otherwise," she said.
Van Atter said she has mobility and pain issues, Nipps said, and the dogs were service dogs, though Eleanor Rigby was still in training.
Van Atter’s stepmother, Karen James, of Bradenton, was also set to fly to Philadelphia. She said they knew Eleanor Rigby was pregnant, but believed the excitement of being in the airport around so many new people may have triggered the early birth.
James was talking to the Tampa Bay Times by phone from the airport when people started cheering in the background.
"Another one just came out!," she said.
She was holding Golden Nugget on a leash.
"I have to go, the father is getting excited," she said. "Every time she’s ready to deliver another one he starts jumping around."
James said the plan was to find a dolly somewhere in the airport to carry the pups and mother out. Then they’d go back to Bradenton where everyone would get some rest before figuring out how to drive to Philadelphia with a new litter.
No planes were delayed and all the puppies were successfully delivered. Seven males, and one female.
That’s dog abuse. That woman should never have been traveling with a pg dog. If she’s so disabled, how can she handle two dogs? She can’t. Especially one still in training. Horrible woman.
This “service animal” scam is out of control. These people mostly need to be in intensive therapy for their problem. What a bunch of weak, neurotic losers.
Yep. I've seen plenty of vets with PTSD who never left the United States.
I guess boot camp is pretty traumatic these days.
Some service dogs detect seizures in their owners.
Service dogs have training, so I think having proof of training should be the requirement.
My 21 year old daughter has thought about getting a service dog. She has a brain injury.
I’m against the people that use them for fake reasons.
My other daughter had a college roommate whose doctor dad write her a prescription for an emotional support animal. The dog was an untrained puppy, and the roommate left it in the dorm a lot and my daughter would take care of it because my daughter loves animals.
so she has TWO dogs with her?
He used to send me these articles from others stationed there it was “the worst base in the world” and the C.O. just wasn’t fair or something.
I don’t know. I tuned it out. It must take 10 times as much to push the pussy out of a modern 18 year old recruit than ever before.
The base shrink recommended he play FPS video games to calm his nerves. And the VA would provide.
And then what do they do?
One of the dogs is her husband’s dog.
They alert and this lets you know you are about to have a seizure and then you can put yourself in a safe place while letting others know also.
What did you think happens?
“But what if someone with PTSD is triggered by service animals? “
The PTSD, caused by the great Chihuahua war with Mexico?
Well there is a bar right there. I’m sure your liver will be HappyPappy!
Gives the owner time to take action: lie down in a safe spot, relax, drink water, eat food. Etc.
By being warned, the owner may be able to even prevent a full on seizure.
I’m not sure what the dog is trained to do if there is a full blown seizure. I don’t know if they just protect the owner or get help.
My daughter had seizures and wanted a seizure dog.
Here’s some more info on seizure digs:
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/seizure-dogs
And then what do they do?
The seizure-prone person, in the seconds remaining from when the dog alerts to a change in brainwaves, takes what steps he or she can to prevent injuring himself further. As an example, positioning oneself so as not to fall and hit one's head. Making sure they do not fall against the door of the room they are in so that no one can reach them to assist. Loosening tight collars or neckties. Removing eyeglasses. Et cetera.
I saw a man having a seizure on the sidewalk at night in Philadelphia. He would have been vulnerable to having his phone and wallet stolen if not for the good guys who stopped to help.
OK, fair enough.
Considering that about 99% of all the so-called "support animals" out there are nothing more than house pets with an official-looking vest that the owner bought on Amazon, I've become cynical towards even the 1% that have a legitimate medical use (which, as far as I can tell, are dogs for the vision and hearing impaired and now for those prone to seizures).
Could you please show us all your sources for the 99% vs 1% stat?
Go out and look around. A guy with a cane and a dog is about a rare a sight as a guy in a wheelchair parking in a handicapped space.
My only experience with service dogs is with wounded veterans, and their dogs whom I’ve met have been extraordinary and well-trained. But I agree, it would be a pain in the butt to have every snowflake out there with a service dog in a public conveyance.
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