Puppies and guilt
My girlfriend’s Chihuahua, Queenie, had puppies last night. On my couch. They are cute as can be.
Watching the birthing process was both enlightening and gross beyond measure. Queenie is an excellent mother. She did all the work of birthing the pups, cutting the cord, cleaning them and nursing them through the night. 
She was very protective this morning. When my dog, Huey, showed curiosity and approached the mother and her puppies, Queenie growled, warning him to stay away. Normally Queenie and Huey are very friendly.
I also find myself conflicted.
I’m not in favor of breeding dogs. My girlfriend has two Chihuahuas, Queenie and a boy named Bruiser. This is the second time she has let the pair breed. I know there is a market for AKC-registered Chihuahuas, and those puppies will go to good homes.
I just have a hard time with the idea of selling or giving away puppies while so many dogs are euthanized at shelters across the metro and across the nation each day. Thousands of animals are killed each year in Oklahoma City because they committed no sin beyond being born into a bad situation with no prospect of finding a loving home.
Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare staff and a cadre of generous advocates are working very hard to change these statistics, but they have little hope of succeeding if people don’t make the choice to have their pets spayed and neutered. There are options available for those with low incomes.
I would also encourage everyone to adopt a dog from a shelter or a reputable breed rescue, which is how I found Huey. Many pure-bred animals make their way through the shelter, and breed rescues can often match you with a pure-bred dog.
That said, I know there are people who are very specific. They want a puppy, and they want one that has a documented pedigree. This is how Queenie’s puppies will find a home.
My girlfriend has agreed to have Queenie spayed and Bruiser neutered, so this will be their last litter of puppies. Hopefully, this will help the problem, and hopefully at some point in the near future Oklahoma City will no longer have to euthanize healthy dogs and cats.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
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