The "Hats Off To The Pair Of Good Samaritans & Police Officer" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Following online, as well as on local television, the story of a mother and her daughter who happened upon a female boxer dog along the side of a road in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who looked to be in distress.  The sky was beginning to darken and upon farther examination, they found she was in labor and had already given birth to four young puppies next to the busy roadway.  They quickly called the local police department and shortly Officer McKernan of the West Hempfield Police Department arrived to assist the women and dogs.  He managed to put the female boxer in his cruiser and headed to Pet Pantry of Lancaster which was co-founded by Dr. Bryan Langlois who is the medical director of the shelter.  The mother and daughter loaded the newborns into their car and followed to Pet Pantry.  On the way to Pet Pantry, the female dog gave birth to her fifth puppy on the back seat of the cruiser.  

Mom and her new puppies.

Once at the shelter the mother dog carried her newborn in her mouth into the shelter where she was reunited with her other pups.  Before she was done, she had delivered a total of nine puppies.  One pup was stillborn while another didn't survive overnight.  The litter consists of five males and two females with all doing well, including the mother dog.  Dr. Langlois told the newspaper and television station that "Mom is a champ.  She knows just what to do, and that makes our job a whole lot easier here."  The mother dog and her puppies will soon be sent to a foster home until the pups mature and are ready for adoption.  Happy ending for a very stressful experience for all concerned.  Lancaster County has many stray animals that at times don't meet the same good samaritans as this lucky female boxer did.  At times there doesn't seem to be enough people to adopt all the strays in the county.  Many strays are caught and taken to shelters to be either spayed or neutered, but end up being released back into the community.  It is a problem that has been part of life for as long as I can remember and I doubt if it will ever change.  Hopefully the new brood and their mother will find people that will give them a loving home.  My wife, Carol, and I have adopted a few pets over the years and at present have two cats that found their way to our back door over a year ago.  They are so lovable and make our days full of joy and entertainment.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.