I think you've received some great advice here, on several sides. Just to share a little bit about me...my bach degree is in nursing - I've watched people die, I've seen horrendous cycle/car accidents in the ER, I've done mouth to mouth, Heimlich, all kinds of cardiac stuff, given shots / IVs, exams, cleaned the most disgusting wounds ever, I've watched about 8 human births - both regular and C section, I've participated in transplants, I've helped people during in-flight emergencies when I'm flying and no doc is on board.....I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Yet, even with some fairly meaningful health/crisis experience - you could not pay me enough to risk whelping a precious fur creature. I'd be scared out of my mind. Yes, birth is natural and blah blee...but so are stillbirths, wrapped umbilical cords, breech births, hemorrhaging, newborn puppies who aren't breathing...and on and on. Births (human or otherwise) are no small thing. In my opinion, human births should be left to experts (docs, midwives, NPs) and doggy births should be left to the experts (experienced breeders, or inexperienced breeders who have 24hr access to both a proven breeder-mentor and a vet).
I know you want to protect her, I *so* hear that. But please know that the worst could actually happen, bc we've seen it here so many times w/ inexperienced breeders...this is why some people are advising against it. If you choose to spay,
you'd still be protecting her - so that's a kind and loving and very protective choice too
.
I think what also comes to mind for some of us is the risk for the puppies. In an ideal world, you'd find the most perfect homes for them and it'd be happily ever after. In reality, we put 3-4 MILLION animals to sleep every year in the US; we put 6-8 MILLION in shelters every year; 75% of shelter dogs are mixed breeds. Important facts to think about when bringing precious creatures
into this world.
Alllllll that said, I do also agree with EllieMay in terms of - if you're determined to go ahead w/ the pregnancy, there are ways it can be done...but if you go that way, you have a colossal amount of preparing and learning to do. Not to mention saving that 2k for the realistic possibility of a C section.
If it were me, I'd spay my precious girl and let her get on with living a spoiled, easy life...I'd spare her body the pregnancy.
Please keep us posted
. Also, please try to understand why people sometimes get upset here over pregnancies -- it's not *you* personally, it's the big picture. However, you
should be treated with respect and understanding
.