[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Hmmmm..... "are tiny Yorkie pups okay"...... that's a tough one....
I suppose "okay" would depend on your own personal viewpoints of the word...

Now don't get me wrong.... I absolutely ADORE my little angel... and wouldn't change the fact that she's with me, for anything in the world!!
But I do have to say, that being her mom has been hard since the day I brought her home......

As a mother of FIVE 2-legged babies - my youngest, now 10 years old - I thought I was DONE raising little ones.... we have dogs - several, in fact... and while they are like our children, they are pretty independent - even as puppies, they weren't too terrible to handle.

But baby Natalie - is like having a human premie baby.... 24 hours a day - 7 days a week........... she needs CONSTANT care, simply due to her size...

She doesn't have any MAJOR health issues - nothing like a liver shunt, physical imparments, hydrocephalus - or anything like that... but with her being 6 months old and just 22 ounces now - any common little "bug" or change in diet, environmental conditions or stressful situations - can send us racing to the emergency room!!

Natalie's only been with us 3 months and already we've made three middle of the night ER trips - numerous visits to our local vet's office - spent literally THOUSANDS of dollars on medical care and treatments - and have lost countless hours of sleep.... (not to mention the near "heart-attacks" each time we thought we could be losing her!!!)

None of this really comes from her being an "unhealthy pup".... although I am aware that she didn't come from a history of exceptional breeding - she didn't really have any "uncommon" health issues early in life that would lead to her having a weak immune system or any other "hitch" in her rearing.

That's not to say that a more diligent breeding program, healthier diet and all around better general care initially - wouldn't have had an affect on her overall well being - - - I'm certain it would have..... but still, tiny animals are simply more suseptible to the dangers of even the most "protected" environment.

It's terrifying really.... and as much love as I have for this precious little thing - I hold an equal amount of fear in EVERY SINGLE THING we encounter!!

I miss many of the things that most people get to share with their new puppies..... cuddling up in bed in the wee hours of the morning (because Natalie is far too small to allow her to sleep with us - for fear of a fall, suffocation, etc.) - long outings to the dog park, meet up's or play dates just to show her off (because we're afraid she'll "catch something" from the other pups or they'll play too rough with her, causing injury) - - romping around the house with her - (since she stays in her playpen, bassinet or in my arms all the time as we can't allow her to roam the house ... just too many dangers!) - - even the smallest, silliest things - - like dressing her up... (there are very few things that she can wear as she needs a tiny size, not carried by most) - and putting bows / barrettes in her hair... (we do it, but have to be EXTRA careful as her tiny little fontanel is still slightly open - so pushing on her head is something we don't like to do!) - -

Many of the puppy perfumes, shampoos / conditioners, etc. that are out there - can have an ill affect on her skin - so we don't do much switching around with that and need to be careful of what we use... even her laundry soap was an issue at first... (we've since started using a diluted formula of the baby laundry soap, "Dreft")

Her diet and "meal preferences" keep us fully stocked with over 30 different "menu items" and have even sent us to the 24 hour market in the middle of the night on more than one occassion!! - - - With a tiny one, you just can't implement the "wait and see - she'll eat when she gets hungry" method of feeding.... since if she goes even a couple of hours without a meal we end up facing the dreaded hypoglycemia!!! So she HAS to eat.... and when it comes right down to it - we HAVE to give her WHATEVER it is we can get her to take!! While still making sure that it's healthy for her and doesn't cause problems with her bowels that can lead to even MORE problems!! This has been a battle since day one!

We have to be careful that bath water is not too hot.... not too cold.... that she doesn't get chilled, even briefly... or over heated by the blow-dryer.... that the temperature in the house is just right... that her sweaters don't fit too tight or too loose.... that her meds are on time, her vitamins are appropriately "hidden" in whatever food it is she decides to eat that day...
That she gets enough fluids so she doesn't dehydrate (which she could do in a matter of a couple of hours if she "forgets" to get a drink or two) - that she doesn't aspirate on fluid if we have to syringe feed her - (because she DOES forget to drink - quite often, in fact!).... that she has plenty of playtime and bonding with Mama (because sometimes we are just EXHAUSTED!!) - - and that she knows WE LOVE HER EVERY SINGLE MOMENT!!!

I know that I sound like I'm venting..... or maybe even that I regret bringing this little one into my world...... but I'm really not.... and I most certainly don't..... she has been MY JOY since the moment I laid eyes on her.... and I pray that she will be for many years to come!!

We're settling into a routine... and getting things right.... I just hope we're doing the job well enough to provide her with everything she needs!!

Did I - and would I - have CHOSEN to have such a tiny little soul enter my life??? In an ideal situation... no - - - and I do have "issues" with those folks who continue to INTENTIONALLY breed these kids exclusively to "out do" the one before them who had an even smaller baby!!

But.............. the ones who are already here - need special moms and dads to care for them................. so here we are!!

I saw a preview for a new movie coming out... I don't recall the name of it... but he says (in reference to adopting a little boy) - "I would never bring a child into this world!!! But how do you justify not loving one who's already here???" - - - - (or something very similar to that) - - - and I suppose that's how I feel about the "teacups" of the canine world....

I wouldn't do it............ I didn't want it.......... but I have it........ and I LOVE IT!!! So I will do WHATEVER it takes to honor my commitment to this angel of a girl who's stolen my heart..... this sweet soul who makes me smile - - warms me with her little kisses - - makes me giggle - - brings me the most treasured blessings - and makes my world complete!!!

Here's Natalie this evening.... fighting her illness over this past week is still showing in her little face and coat - but she's here and she's slowly recovering!!

Your little girl is a treasure... and while I certainly don't mean to frighten you with all that we've experienced - just know that loving one so tiny is one of the biggest jobs - and greatest rewards - you're likely to ever encounter!!

All the best to you and your little one!!! She's a beautiful baby!!