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This is Emma and here is her story…..

Saturday August 11th 2007- Emma was found on Petfinder in the early morning hours. Being the closest person, I offered to pick her up.  I called the shelter when they opened, and was given two hours to get there and pick her up, or else she was to be euthanized that day. I was told Emma was pregnant and young, but was given no other information. She had been at this shelter for three to four days with no vet care, and I can only imagine how she was feeling. 

The shelter was a small building in the middle of a field. I was met by a very large dog warden, handed the leash, and he got in his car and left.  I loaded Emmas bulky pregnant frame into my van and drove off down the dirt road that took me away from this miserable place.  Once on the road I called a fellow rescue person and told her I had the dog. Noticing dozens of ticks crawling all over my van, I discovered that Emma was covered in what seemed like thousands of ticks.  Her eyes were heavy with green infection, and her body covered in scabs. Emma was terrified, but glad to see a loving human.

Monday August 13th 2007- Emma and I went to the vet! The vet checked her over, gave her a Capstar to kill any remaning creepy-crawlies, and then decided the best way to check on the puppies was an x-ray. The x-ray tech took one, then took another, and then a third! Normally one x-ray is all it takes to check on puppies, but she discovered something unusual.  Three bullets! One was fuzzy, so it must be on the other side. When turning Emma over and taking another x-ray, more bullets were found, and yet again, another in her back side!  All in all Emma had six babies, and seven bullets! Now, most people are asking, was it buckshot or bullets?  They are indeed bullets! The scabs being felt were the entry wound of each one. They were too large to be BB's, and not centralized enough to be buckshot. I was sick to my stomach, with tears running down my face, yet there was a light! Emma was alive, as were her babies. She was looking at me, crying with infection goop in her eyes, her tail was wagging, and she gave me a kiss. 

This dog is a delight, despite everything she has been through. She is still a wiggly-butt Springer with lots of love to give.  My husband and I started baby patrol that night. Emma had six puppies in her, and they were head down and ready to come any time.  The bad part was, since we didn't know when she conceived, we didn't know when they were coming! 

Tuesday August 14th , 2007- Emma started her contractions at around 2:30 in the afternoon. We were very excited!  Emma would be in less pain with the bullet in her leg with less bulk from the babies.  I moved my laptop, snacks, and a six-pack of pop into our utility room to be with Miss Emma.  We had a little party. I brushed her, and we looked at magazines, and even took a few naps.  At 5 am, August 15th, Emma started hard labor and pushing. At 5:43 the first baby, Keele came out, and in just another seven minutes her little sister came out. The rest were born within the next 2 hours.  Emma gave birth to six beautiful babies, three boys and three girls. They are all thriving under her care. Emma is a wonderful mother, and is very attentive to her new babies.  Emma and her babies got a clean bill of health from Dr. Joe, our ESRA vet.

Update 23 AUG 07: Please keep an eye on the website for more on Emma and her babies. Once we know a bit more about them, we will be posting them on the Midwest Available page.  Emma will also be up for adoption, but first she will need some surgeries to remove her bullets, as well as a spay, so we don't have any more puppies.

Update 28 SEP 07: Emma is doing great! She is doing physical therapy with the vets office that did her spay and bullet removal.  Everything went as planned with the surgery and she is making a speedy recovery.  Emma still has several bullets in her but they are all lodged just under the skin per the x-rays and should not cause her any further issues!  Emma will be back in foster care after she has had some time to recover at the vets office under their care with therapy and pain medication.  Emma is the bell of the ball there and is being spoiled rotten by all of the staff.  Thanks to everyone that has written such kind letters and donated money to her care.  She is a very special dog, a true gem!

Update 26 OCT 07: Emma's former caseworker told us that she had an adopter for her.  We are therefore marking her Adoption Pending.  You have all been very generous!

Contact: midwest@springerrescue.org

EMMA'S GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Katrin Owen
Pauline Gallie	In memory of Rex.
Kerri Killion-Mueller	In memory of Fritz and Brutus.
Monica Smith	Feel better soon!  Bailey, Chance, and Benji Smith.
Marilyn Leeth	Love and Springer kisses from Casey and Molly.
Merrie Corbett	In memory of Jennifer Jones, who had buckshot too!
Bob and Carla Cramer	In praise of ESRA.
LB Bonanno	To Emma, From Emma.  I am glad that you are doing well.  I know that the people at ESRA will find you a wonderful, loving home.
Lorraine Coli	In memory of Blair.
Jeanne Fleck	In memory of Dillon.
Andrew Pomper	Let's get the lead out!!
Larry Scott	In memory of my little girl Brittany, who passed at 17 years.
Joni Huffman and Steve Harris	From your fellow rescued Springer, Max.
Cindi Szymansk	In memory of Sota.
Lori Tillman	Hang-in lil Momma, God & ESRA angels are here.
Cathryne Slaughter	Good luck, Emma!  You are in good hands now, and will never know another bad day.
Lauri Dykhuis
Carol Brokob	In honor of all ESRA volunteers and the work they do.
Jim Boshard	In memory of Niki.
Terra Bork	In memory of Samantha. Get well soon Emma.  Springer kisses from Marion, Wisconsin.
Linda D. Mowrey	In memory of Coffee.
Carolyn and Ed	In memory of our friend Diana who loved all animals, and especially dogs, and introduced us to Springers.
Jill Howard and Mozart            (my Springer)	In loving memory of my boys Finian, Blitzen, and Wiley.  Every little bit makes a difference!
Karin Kramer	Best wishes for a full recovery to sweet Emma and her puppies!
Barb and Marita Koller	In memory of Patsy and Annie. Hope you are feeling better Emma.  You have the best foster mom taking care of you.  She rescued me, and I love my new family!  Love, Barkley