All the Orphans have been adopted and are loving life with their new families!!!      Looking back over the last 3 months, this litter has been the most heartbreaking and rewarding litter I have ever raised.   I learned things I hope I will NEVER need to use again!!!   

Losing Relic was horrible, but the response from my dog friends and family and my fellow Sioux Empire Kennel Club members was overwhelming!!!!    I can NEVER thank 4 people enough for all they did to help the "Incredible Eleven" survive :

Dr. Michelle Jensen, Harrisburg Large Animal Clinic, and her staff who did everything they could to save Relic's life, and then went beyond the call of duty to do whatever was currently or even downright NEW in the veterinary science industry to save the orphans.  God Bless our Doctors. 

Adrienne Freyer, USAF Ellsworth , SD Airforce Base, who was so supportive and shared so much critical information on how to raise orphans, and whose Komondor momma, Blizzard, fostered 7 of the Orphans.   I know Blizzey truly believed those were her babies and missed them when they were gone!!   God Bless our Military.

Melanee Clark, University of SD Animal Research Director, and her family who gamely took on 4 of the Orphans to be fostered by Lexi, the Sheltie.  I know how much time they put into convincing Lexi that these enormous pups were really hers!!!  I don't think she ever REALLY bought it, but she fostered them just because Melanee ASKED her to!!  God Bless our Academics/Scientists/Teachers.

and finally,

My 76 year old mom, Betty Dirks, who is the first to tell you "I really don't even like dogs", but was there with me every step of the way when we were feeding them every 2-3 hours with tubes and bottles, and stimulating body functions, and giving them wipee baths, and keeping them warm and dry, and hugging them and rubbing them to make sure they felt loved!   She literally WILLED Little Orphan Annie into living when she was so sick and CRIED when she went to her new home.    I think she has been converted into a reluctant dog lover whether she likes it or not!!!  God Bless our Moms.

I will NEVER forget my Orphan Litter and those who loved and love them.

See the Orphans whole story in pictures below and be sure to check out the "out takes" for more pictures of each pup that didn't quite make it to the front page!!!  

An interesting coincidence occured with the Orphans new families.   Tarzan, Harry and Pipi went to three families who purchased pups from me before - ALL from the same litter that time too - Attila, Thor and Maile!!!    Polly and Huck also went home with familes who have bought pups from me before!   Truly, the Orphans are 'all in the family'!!  We will keep adding pictures of the 'grandpuppies' as they grow up!!!

You can read all about their weekly progress by clicking here.