SEVEN orphaned puppies are fighting fit thanks to three veterinary nurses from Southport.
Dog breeder Mary Hambleton was distraught when her five-year-old Crufts champion boxer Ruby died after giving birth by Caesarean section.
The puppies needed feeding every hour day and night when they were first born, then every two hours. They can now be fed every five hours.
But luckily for Mary, who fell seriously ill four years ago and was unable to offer them round-the-clock care, help was at hand from three nurses from Rufford Veterinary Practice on Wennington Road, High Park.
Nurse trainees Lisa Iddon and Chrissie McCloughlin and Jan Davies, a qualified veterinary nurse, took the pups home and despite a few early scares they are now in the best of health.
Mary, from Aughton, said she was extremely grateful for their help after Ruby, who won first prize at Crufts last year, died.
She said: “I brought Ruby home and she was unconscious.
“She died two hours after she got home I don’t think she even knew she was at home.
“She had had seven puppies and that’s quite a big litter.
“I started ringing round people to find a boxer or another breed with one or two in their litter to look after them.
“Then Lisa rang from the vets and she said ‘we’ll do it for you.’
“I think she’s done really well. They have worked ever so hard and she must be very proud of what she has done.”
“One was born very weak and the first born wasn’t very strong. I thought they might have died but she’s pulled them through.”
Now the puppies are getting older and don’t need feeding as often they will be returned to Mrs Hambleton.
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Surrogate mums save litter with round-the-clock care: O wow! all I can say is that im inspired!!! One da