Help Me! Give me the strength to.......
 

deal with the sudden loss of my matriarch, my baby Reggie, and help raising her five baby girls. That was my prayer to God. When one least expects it, heavenly intervention provides miracles. God sent me not one, not two, not three, but four miracles. On April 4th, 8 days after giving birth to one boy and five girls, our Reggie was gone. She was only seven, too young for a yorkie to be gone. The little boy died at seven days, the day before his mama. Five baby girls lay there with no mama to care for them. Despite my grief, I had to pull myself together because I had to make sure those precious little girls would grow up big and strong. After giving them three bottle feedings that day, I put Sissy, Reggie's daughter, in the cage with them that night so they were not alone. Sissy had given birth March 12th, a boy and a girl, but both died that day. She was so upset that I called all the vet's in the area the next day trying to find someone who might have young yorkie pups so I could get her a baby to take care of. No such luck. Reggie's litter came March 27th and add another eight days, by now, Sissy's milk had dried up. But the first miracle came when Sissy took over motherly duties as if they were her own. She even growled if the other dogs got near the cage.

The second miracle came the next day when Roxie, Sissy's daughter who is a year and four months old, jumped in to help out. Between the two of them, Reggie's girls were getting the best yorkie care that I simply could not provide. The third miracle was Dante, our 19 week old luvey male. He joined in and would lick each pup until they were clean and then some. And, he would also sleep with Sissy, Roxie, and the babies. I couldn't have been more blessed. I thought my prayers had been answered. But wait, one more miracle was on it's way. One I least expected. Roxie developed milk and is now feeding the baby girls while I supplement them with the bottle.

The girls, Love, Faith, Hope, Charity and Star are thriving. They're growing like bad weeds and are 4 weeks old today. I've started them on real food mush and they are so funny, not eating from the bowl but in the bowl. Messy, messy, messy! When they get their bellies full, I let the other dogs in and they clean up the mess. Sissy has pretty much weaned herself from the pups but Roxie, that's a different story. Those girls are now her babies.

We are keeping Love. She has white on her chest just like her mama did when she was a pup. When they are old enough and I can give them up........one of the girls will be going to live in VA, one to CA and one to NY. That makes four homes but five girls. I already decided I wasn't going to push it trying to find a good home for the last girl. It wouldn't bother me at all to keep that one too. Time will tell.

This past weekend the girls had their first outing. I had to travel to Columbus for a doll show & sale that I was exhibiting at on Sunday. And Saturday, Dante's new family, Tashasmom, was coming to pick him up. We loaded up the Explorer with dolls, the old playpen, Roxie, Dante, the girls and their diaper bag, Grandma and our granddaughter, Emilee, who feeds the pups when I have to be at work. And off we went. I took the playpen as I thought it would give some added protection for the girls as we would be staying with our son's family, four kids - 7 years, almost 5 years, and twins that are going to be 3 the end of May. Well, so much for trying to protect the girls. As soon as we got there, everyone had to hold a baby. Then the neighbor's came to see them, and of course, had to hold the babies. And then the kids had to hold them again, and again. Finally I was able to get the girls settled down in the playpen with Roxie and Dante. They all took a long nap.

That evening, Tashasmom arrived with her husband, two daughters and 3 year old son. It was great meeting them and I know that my little miracle guy, Dante is going to have a wonderful life with his new family. They all fell in love with the girls and everyone had to be held again. Dante has already wormed his way into her husbands heart, you know the type, big dogs-outside. Tashasmom tells me that they went for a walk but her husband had to carry Dante. I think we have another yorkie lover in the works!

When I got back from the show on Sunday afternoon, there they were, all the girls out of the playpen being played with or held. My daughter-in-law said she and Abigail liked Charity the best. I think she's hinting......... I've tried a couple of times to give them one of our pups, but she didn't want to be bothered and/or didn't want a small dog. They have a corgi and now she thinks Lady needs a playmate. We'll see.............

We got home late Sunday night. It was very sad as when ever we had to be gone, even if only for five minutes, the first to greet us was Reggie. She wouldn't be happy until I picked her up and gave her some lovin'. Although the other dogs were happy to see us home, it just wasn't the same. I feed the girls and off to sleep they went. They survived the weekend outing, but more important, I survived too.

I'm in the process of writing a story, from Reggie's point of view, her life as a yorkie. When we first got her, I wrote a letter to Mommy Gail, Reggie's human mommy. She cried when she got the letter and said it should be a book. I'll have it on my website, http://www.garlinyorkies.info, sometime in the near future and see pics of the girls there, click on puppies, then Reggie's Girls. And, you can also read more about Reggie and her girls here on YT. Have your tissues ready, My Reggie is Gone: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37520 and feel good with Reggie's Little Girls: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39198

Sorry to be so long winded, just too much to tell.

The first picture is substitute mama's, Sissy and Roxie. The second is Dante and Roxie with the pups and the last one is messy, messy, messy feeding time.

That is such a heart warming account of a bittersweet event. Animals nevr stop surprising us with their wonderful instincts. Reggie is at the rainbow Bridge saying you all done good!! You have a real talent for writing. Hopefully now you can breathe a little easier. Thanks for sharing this.

That was wonderful to read....It reminds me of something my hubby always tells me when things seem to be at its worst "The good lord always provides"
You have some very special furbaby's there, I think that , like children, this is a reflection of their people parents. Those babes are so loved , it is refreshing to read happy stories with joy filled endings. Thanks for the wonderful post. :tinyheart :tinyheart

Im so sorry you lost Reggie but I am so happy for your wonderful miracles. I think it is such an amazing story to hear about how Sissy and Roxie came to the rescue. They truly are wonderful yorkie mothers :love:

That is such an amazing story... It brought tears to my eyes.. Thanks for sharing.. Animals are WONDERFUL!!

Oh my, I am sobbing. What a beautiful story of such a tragic event. I am so grateful you have such great pets to take care of your orphaned pups. Please keep us updated.

That is such a sad and wonderfull Story ! Yorkies are the greatest !

That is such a touching story. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Beautiful tale, and wonderful telling!
 

I am looking forward to reading Reggie's book! HUGS to you and all your little ones! :p

Us humans can learn SO much from our yorkie's!
That's a touching story that will live on for a very long time to come :) Hugs to all your fur kids from us.

Your amazing Linda.... Those girls are lucky to have you!!!

That was an amazing story. Thank you for sharing that with us. The Lord does work in wonderful and mysterious ways. :)

Amazing story. I feel your pain more than you'll ever know. I went through a similar experience late last year. I ask myself every day when does the pain go away? My only comfort is the beautiful children she left behind. They make every day a bit easier and fill my life with so much joy. I am looking forward to reading Reggie's book. What a wonderful way to remember her!

That was the most touching and amazing story. I am always amazed seeing that miracles really do happen. Just when we don't think we can carry on God provides the solution.

I'm sooooo happy everthing is working out for you and your yorkie babies.... Sounds like you have some great helpers... The puppies are just so adorable also

Crystal

I am so sorry for your loss. And, "yes", God does answer prayer in mysterious ways!!!

I just WISH I could take that last little girl :cry:

Im sorry for the loss of your beautiful Reggie but glad for the incredible miracles (Sissie and Roxie). The story is so touching. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would love to read the book.
I love the pics. The pups are so adorable. :)

It's definitely been a rolly-coaster month. Having such little miracles in Sissy, Roxie and Dante, sure has eased the pain of loosing my baby. I'm glad you all have enjoyed the story. It's always nice when such a traumatic event has a happy ending. Although, the story is not ending just yet, it will continue as the girls grow.

Wow... what a wonderful, remarkable story. Lillith is the guardian of animals at Rainbow where all animals go that have passed on. I'd like to think that when Reggie already knew her family would take care of her babies and when she met Lillith, they put their heads together and directed everyone on helping your babies. It takes a village to raise a child..... and that's what happened. I'm so so sorry about Reggie but she must've loved her yorkie family well enough in life to leave that kind of legacy behind. How lucky we are to have these wonderful creatures in our lives.
God Bless

Wow! I just got a comforting, warm, fuzzy feeling rush over me. Thank you for the beautiful message. :wub:

You're right, the only comfort is the beautiful children that were left behind. Reggie's girls are so people oriented already but have still had the motherly yorkie love and care they needed. They are so bright and active. It's so cute when I call them, their heads perk up and they start jumping all over the place. And the ears on Love and Star stick straight up! And I don't mean that they are up, it's like they are attached to a string from heaven pulling them up as high as they will go, that's how up they are. I think I'm really going to have my hands full in the next couple of weeks.

I have been working on Reggie's story and every time I think I'm close to being done, I remember yet another story. She really was astonishing, so intelligent and expressive, you would have sworn there was a person trapped in her body.

I'm so sorry you lost your baby but what a wonderful ending to your story!!! God definitely knows what is needed in our most trying times doesn't he!!! How great that your precious babies stepped in and helped with the kiddos! Best of luck to you and your babies!!! :)

The girls are now 4 weeks old. Boy am I going to have my hands full soon. They are already crawling out of the cage exploring everywhere and everything. They are starting to play with each other and finally are eating from the bowl instead of in it. But they still look like they've been in a food fight when they are done. Faith. Hope and Charity's ears have flopped down but Love and Star's remain pointed to the sky just about as high as you can get them. I've never had any pups that their ears didn't flop down for a while, but with these two girls, not even a droop. It's cute when I call them, all their heads pop up and they come running, trying to climb on me and suck my hand. Dante has gone to his new home so Dinky is now getting in the cage with the girls and playing with them.

I just came across this....I am in tears right now!! I am soo sorry about Reggie. How terribly awful....I am glad to hear the girls are all doing well and I commend you for your strength....

Five weeks old today
 

It's so hard to believe that Reggie's little girls are 5 weeks old today. They are growing up so fast. Love and Star have had their ears up from the start, Faith, Hope and Charity look like the flying nun. They are exploring everywhere, eating like little piggies, and are really bright, active and healthy. Roxie is still nursing them with her miracle milk. We go next Wednesday for their first shots with Dr. Ralph. Dr. Brian also sees us, but Dr. Ralph has been with us from the start with Reggie's girls. I'm anxious for him to see the girls. I think it was Thursday when I weighed them. Star is 9 oz, Love 11 oz, Faith 14 oz, Hope and Charity at 16 oz. Or maybe I have Faith and Hope's switched. Didn't write it down...........

These pics I took last week. We don't know what the fascination is with my husband's shoes. All our pups have loved them. Inside the shoe is Star.

The girls are precious. Im so happy that they are doing so well. I love the pics. I want another pup so bad, Gucci needs a sis. ;) Thank you for the update and the pics. :)

im so sorry for your loss :( its so heart braking when you lose them. do you know why the mummy died? :( the pups are lovely and you still have a little bit of your baby girl in those cutie pie pups :)

We just came back from our first visit to the vet for shots. Dr. Ralph has seen these girls from the start, was with me when Reggie died, and today, he got such a big smile on his face when he saw all 5 girls. His first words were, they look good but a bit undernourished. Then he started to laugh. He was blown away by Roxie. I took her along to show off my miracle mama who's milk had to have been heaven sent. He said, God does work in mysterious ways. As he examined each of the girls, he would shake his head. Finally he said that it is so rare for such young yorkies to survive after loosing their mother at only 8 days old. Then he ran and got his camera to take pictures of our little miracle girls. Love weighs 1.2 lb, Star weighs 1 pound, Faith weighs 1.2 lb, my whoppers, Hope and Charity weigh 1.4 lb. each. Dr. Ralph was very impressed with them all. Although I miss my Reggie something terrible, seeing these girls grow up has been such a heartwarming experience. It's going to be very difficult to let any of them go. Will post new pics tomorrow, or maybe later today.

A very sad, but beautiful story. My heart goes out to you.

Are all of the puppies spoken for at this point?

Right now I have deposits on two, I'm trading for one, and keeping Love. My daughter-in-law has hinted very strongly about having one. So I'd say, more than likely they are all spoken for. I'm so attached to them, I will probably have a nervous breakdown when I have to let any of them go.

We will be having pups with Feebie/Spike in about 2 weeks. It will be a first for both. Spike has gone to live with Tashasmom in southern Ohio but left his mark before he went.