That is the sweetest picture! Those puppies know she loves them. Maybe if you give her more of a specific role in getting the puppies ready for new homes. Tell her she is the "socializer" or "bonding contact" or other such name -- the person who gradually gets the puppies ready for life with people and not the mom and littermates. Tell her she is the one who teaches the puppies to love humans. When someone comes to look at the puppies, ask her to show them how they like to be held, talked to or cuddled. Let her know what an important role she has in getting the puppy ready for its life with new owners and how important her interactions are to the new owners. Let her know that she will be helping them form bonds that will be with them for life. Her love helps ensure a successful new life for the puppies.
It will still be hard for her to let them go and she may cry -- that just shows how much she cares. But she will be alright. Talk to her about the next litter and how helpful she was with this one. Have her start a scrapbook of all the puppies she has helped to transition into new homes.
These are just ideas -- when it comes down to it, you will know how best to comfort her when the puppies all go to new homes. Part of being a loving child is that she will have a little bit of a broken heart from time to time. But keep the hope and positive future alive! What a beautiful young girl you have there! |