Posted on 10/05/2010 10:36:52 AM PDT by JoeProBono
WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash.- A Labrador retriever who was set to be spayed has given its owners in Washington state a litter of 16 puppies.
When the Hurst family of Whidbey Island took 3-year-old chocolate Lab Sugar Baby to a vet for a consultation about spaying her, they found out she was pregnant, the Whidbey (Wash.) News Times reported.
The dog started delivering puppies around noon Tuesday and she didn't finish for more than 12 hours, producing 16 black or yellow puppies -- one male black lab, six female black labs, five male yellow labs and four female yellow labs. Despite being a chocolate lab, Sugar did not give birth to any brown dogs.
Lacey Hurst took mother and brood to the veterinarian Wednesday and they are all in good health. She said some of the puppies will have to be bottle-fed because Sugar won't be able to produce enough milk to nurse all of them.
The puppies' father is probably a black lab they encountered while camping at Lake Stevens over the summer, Hurst said.
Labs are cool.
I’ve had a lab for 13 wonderful years. She’s got cancer now and has slowed down alot but she’s been the best friend of everyone in the family and welcoming of everyone whos come into our home (except my ex and she was right about her) I wouldn’t trade her for the world and I’ll be bawling my eyes out when she goes.
Glad I am not a lab....
Washington Doggie Ping!
A little too late with the spaying! That’s a lot of puppies to find homes for.
As with any member of your family, I suspect. I know that aweful feeling all to well.
As my wife is fond of saying, "that's why we have to love them like crazy while they're here".
I was gonna say—what’s the point to this story without a picture?
You have my most sincere sympathies.
I had to put my best friend down 7 months ago; and I still cry (and I’m a big boy - heck, a Grandfather of 9). I know the thought is terrible to bear, but consider. When it’s finally her time, she will go quietly, gently to sleep - surrounded by those who love her.
I pray that I will someday go in a similar manner. Surrouned by loved ones, someone holding my hand and looking upon me with love.
My faith teaches us that souls cannot be destroyed (except by God). You dog has a spirit, she is unique - unlike any other dog before or after her. She has a spirit - and her spirit cannot be destroyed. She will be there when your time is done.
John tells us in Revelations that Heaven has creatures(Rev. 6:1-8). I believe that your pets will be waiting for you, otherwise why would God create the ability for a pet to love?
"..at least she's married"
We have a wonderful black lab/Golden retriever mix. Looks a lot like the dogs at the links. Sweet dog.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images16/GoldenLabradorOscarMeyer5.JPG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21851154@N07/2124914125/#/photos/ferrariman217/2124914125/
The daddy is a yellow-factored Black Lab with no chocolate factor (BBEe).
That gives you the 50/50 yellow and black pups, with no chocolates. I could sit down and figure out the percentage of chocolate factors and yellow factors in the pups, but hopefully they're going to spay or neuter them all . . .
aawww, that is so cute...I have a lab, neutered...thank God...
“Despite being a chocolate lab, Sugar did not give birth to any brown dogs.”
Are they sure they’re hers? :)
We 'rescued' her from eating out of the garbage behind a Mexican food restaurant here in Kerrville. Took her to the vet and she had worms, ticks and fleas. Had her spayed and she came thru the heart worm treatment with flying colors and became a much-loved member of the family. ;o)
I think the same black and yellow factors are in play there as in black and yellow Labs. I'm convinced that the hounds and the Labs have a lot of ancestors in common somewhere back up the family tree.
The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.