Rescuing Delilah + 7

According to Bridgeport Animal Control staff, a few weeks ago, Delilah, a pit-lab mix with a shiny brindle coat, found her way to the front porch of a family in that city’s North End. She was exhausted and refused to budge. In the past, this family had had hopes of a dog of their own, but their landlord objected. Then, as the story goes, the family and police who picked her up thought she was a bit fat.

Delilah was actually pregnant. Very pregnant. And, while pregnant dogs who end up at animal control facilities typically have their dogs aborted, Delilah flew under the radar long enough to give birth to seven puppies.

Since Bridgeport has a contract with a local veterinarian, Dr. Reddy at Bridgeport Veterinary Hospital, mom and pups were cared for there. Temporarily. After just a few weeks they would have to return to animal control to wait – along with up to 80 homeless dogs – for potential adoption.

Word of mouth traveled, and as a volunteer foster mom for dogs through “Cat Assistance” (I know … But we help dogs too), I was enticed by the story.

My friend Leslie and I traveled up to Bridgeport a week ago to check out Delilah at the veterinary hospital. Delilah, really only a puppy herself, was incredibly affectionate and willing to share her newborns with visitors. We knew what needed to be done.

Tuesday morning we returned to Bridgeport, made a quick stop at animal control to complete paperwork and pay the $50 fee. We could hardly contain excitement on the short drive to get Delilah and her brood.

After a brief goodbye to the vet tech on duty, followed by some crying and barking as everyone was loaded into crates inside inside my car, seven puppies and mommy were lulled to silence during the 20-minute ride down I-95.

After pausing to quench her thirst at the garden hose, Delilah was eager to check out her new surroundings. She jumped in the whelping box I assembled with some help from Home Depot on Monday, and watched over her puppies, having no idea what may be in store for her future. It seems she trusts me though and I want to find her a great home. The puppies also will need permanent homes, of course. My plan is to get them settled and help Delilah put on some weight and relax a bit, but any families interested in learning more can email me at tea66@optonline.net

Meanwhile, I’m sure all Patch Local Voices readers will wish Delilah well, post a comment, and consider rescuing a dog. If not Delilah or one of her puppies, there are many many deserving dogs at animal control facilities and shelters throughout Fairfield County.