hand along Prince’s back. “I’m kidding, sweetheart. What’s happening?”
“I think her waters just broke, because she been licking a wet patch on the sheet underneath her. She’s been panting pretty hard, too, and shaking.” I flick my hands, a little panicked. “Okay, so I’ve got towels, sterile scissors, rubber gloves, antiseptic, dental floss—”
“Dental floss?” Will gives me his unexplained phenomenon expression.
“Yes. To tie the umbilical cords if we need to.” I huff. “I’ve told you this already.”
He scrubs his hand down the back of his neck and yawns again.
“So I’ve got the floss, a heating pad, the heat lamp is on, the vet is on call… what else?” I look around the room, and that dreaded feeling you get when you know you’re forgetting something settles in my stomach. “Ice cream!”
“What the hell do you need ice cream for? You hungry?”
“No, it’s not for me; it’s for her. It’s to keep her blood sugar levels up. Plus, she’s about to ‘punch’ out many babies. Bitch deserves ice cream. Don’t even argue with me on this.”
He holds up his hands. “I’m not arguing, sweetheart. Whatever you say goes. You got this.”
Prince tries to climb onto his lap, and he lets him. The two of them are best mates, inseparable, especially after Molly passed away last year. Prince has filled a void only a loyal dog can.
“Who’s gonna be a dad soon?” he coos, scruffing Prince’s ears. “You are.” Prince licks his face. “Yes, you are, big boy. Are you ready?”
Prince barks.
“Will! Keep him calm. Snow doesn’t need you two goofing off right now. She needs serenity, tranquillity. Shit! I forgot to put on my playlist.”
He stops scruffing Prince’s ears. “Your what?”
“My birthing playlist for Snow.”
Will cracks up laughing and crawls onto the floor next to me. “What’s on it… ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’?”
I whack his arm. “Very funny.”
He hugs me to him. “Just breathe. She knows what to do by instinct; she’ll do most of the work.”
Sighing, I slump against him. “I know. I’m just nervous.”
I run my hand ever so softly down the back of Snow’s head. It might sound silly, but I’ll never experience giving birth, and this will be the closest I’ll ever come. I don’t want to let her down.
“Not long now, girl.”
She shuffles and licks herself again, and this time her tail lifts, and a balloon-like membrane sac appears.
I gasp. “Look, it’s the first puppy.”
Excitement rolls over me, and I quickly put on my gloves. “Grab a towel and the scissors, quick!”
Will does as I tell him, and we both wait with bated breath as Snow pushes out her first puppy and starts licking the sac to break it open.
“Should we help her?” I ask.
“Just give her a second.”
She bites the sac, and I almost shriek, fearing she’s going to bite the puppy. But she doesn’t. She just keeps licking and licking until we hear a tiny cry.
Both Will and I exhale.
“Oh my God!” I say, tears spilling from my eyes. “We’re grandparents.”
Snow chews into the umbilical cord, and it’s both gross and amazing. Once she’s chewed through, releasing her pup, I quick scoop the tiny thing up and rub it down with a towel, gently rolling it over in my hand.
“It’s a boy!”
Prince hangs his head over the box as if to approve of his son. He licks Snow’s head, and she licks him back, and my heart near explodes.
“All right, you two, that’s enough.” Will guides Prince back a little, and I place the puppy down near Snow’s teats.
She licks herself again, and another sac appears.
“Whoa! There’s another one already,” I say, bouncing on my knees. “This is so exciting.”
Will squeezes my shoulder as Snow pushes out her second puppy before licking, chewing, and freeing it from the sac. Once again, I clean it up and check for the sex.
“It’s another boy!”
I pat her head and encourage her. “You’re such a good mumma, girl. Yes, you are.” I offer her some water, and she takes a small sip, nowhere near enough to keep her hydrated. “Quick! Grab one of the small organic ice cream tubs from the freezer,” I say to Will.
He jumps to his feet and is back in seconds, two tubs in his hands. He passes one to me then rips off the lid of the one he’s still holding before offering it to Prince.
I frown. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t you think he deserves one too?”
“No! Not really. I don’t see him lying here, ‘punching out’ seven puppies. I mean, why