This Little Puppy Went to S.P. , This Little Puppy Stayed Home...

Elikya playing with her pups

In December, the day I returned from Goma (previous post), our dog Elikya had puppies! Douglas texted me when the first arrived, while I was still in the Goma airport. By the time I got home, there were 5, and by the time we went to sleep there were 6. When we woke up, there were 7!
Of course, having the puppies made for a very fun - if slightly chaotic - Christmas and New Years. Then, quite suddenly, two of them got ill and died. We think it was worms, though we're not sure. It was heartbreaking... I try not to think about it too much...

Puppies having one of their first meals, back when their ears and paws were still so tiny.

The others stayed healthy, and the first one left to go to his new home just a couple of weeks ago. The day guard at our office, who loves dogs, had picked him out of the litter because he's unique-looking, all white. He asked what the puppy's name was, and we told him that we were calling him "Whitey" (or "Le Blanc" in French... "the White One"). I asked him a few days ago how Whitey was doing. He said he is a very nice dog, "très gentil". I love that he appreciates that about him! He said that they changed his name from "Le Blanc" to "Le Bon"... "the Good One". I love that, too. I am so happy that Whitey went to this new home!

Whitey getting ready to go to his new home. Now his name is "The Good One", Le Bon.

The next dog went to Samaritan's Purse (S.P.), to the group house for singles working in eastern DRC. They took a very friendly female we were calling Houdini (because she was getting in and out of places), and they renamed her Maracuja ("Passion Fruit" in Swahili). I love that she has so many friendly people to be around her.

Houdini (Maracuja) with her new family

We still have the puppy we'll keep (we call him Kilo for the moment but will come up with another name), plus another female we call Curly Sue who will go to one of the office night guards, plus the "alpha male" of the litter (mistakenly named Beta before we knew) who will go to a Canadian family returning from furlough next month.

Kilo (top) and Beta (bottom), waiting for their dinner at the back door

We had to disappoint at least 2 people who hoped for puppies, because of the 2 who passed away. (People were asking for puppies as soon as they knew Elikya was pregnant. She's an unusual dog for here, and people like that.) Those who wanted puppies and didn't get them have been very gracious and understanding. We were told by a colleague that, in his experience, in a first litter, you expect that 80% of the puppies will die. So we're glad so many have made it.

Douglas with Barkley, one of the pups who died.

Whitey with his mother, a few days before he went to his new home.