Partners & Paws Summer 2026

A PUP’S progress

Well, it turns out that Breeding Program is not for me. Here’s what happened. First of all, I came into heat. This is a perfectly normal thing, but for some reason, everyone was very happy about it. I was not thrilled. For one thing, I don’t like wearing a diaper. Secondly, I got pricked with needles a lot so they could test my blood, which I don’t mind, but it was a nuisance. Then I found out I was going to meet a new dog, and I was so excited! You may be thinking this is a story of champagne, red roses, and candlelight (I did, because I watch Netflix), but it is not. It is a story of lab coats, needles, and stainless steel. I never got to play with the boy dog at all. I barely even met him, and he behaved very oddly. Then they whisked him away and took me into an exam room for a procedure where I just stood there and ate really good treats. I could explain, but I am told I cannot “because this is a family newsletter.” Whatever. I can tell you this: it was boring, it took a long time, and I had to do it twice.

Anyway, after that, it was back to business as usual for me. I carried on fine for a week or so until I started to feel tired and a little funny. My person, Cabell, took me back to Virginia Tech to see the doctors there, and they gave me some tests, fluids, and pills. Cabell took me home but watched me all the time, even in the middle of the night. The next morning, I felt shivery and nauseous, so we rushed back to Blacksburg. I don’t know what happened after that. I woke up with a bunch of stitches. I rested for a couple of weeks, and now I am back to normal and feeling great. Apparently, that is it for me in the Breeding Program. My mom, Beatrice, tells me there is a lot of good stuff I didn’t quite get to in the program. But all in all, I am pretty happy with my life now, which is full of playtime, jogs, naps, and friends. Those treats were really good, though.

ivy

To read prior editions of A Pup’s Progress, visit saintfrancisdogs.org/publications

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