day during the last two weeks. When in whelp they crave all 

 kinds of carnivorous food, and it is to gratify them that it should 

 be given, and also with the hope that by satisfying this craving 

 to a certain extent that they will not find it absolutely necessary 

 to devour their pups. One week before due she should have her 

 bed arranged, for it is very common for them to whelp several 

 days ahead of time. It matters not whether she has a very little 

 broken straw, excelsior or an old piece of carpet in the bottom 

 of her box, for when she has finished whelping it must be 

 cleaned out, and then a permanent covering can be substituted, 

 according to the preference of the breeder. It is best to select 

 a roomy box and tack around the three sides a strip of wood 

 about one inch deep and about two inches from the flooring 

 the object is to prevent the bitch lying close to the sides of the 

 box. If properly adjusted, there will always be a space just 

 large enough to permit a pup to crawl through in the event of 

 his getting behind her. This little expedient has prevented 

 many pups from being crushed or smothered by the bitch lying 

 on them. The box should be placed in a reasonably warm place 

 and where the bitch can be free from interference. If the pro- 

 cess of labor goes on satisfactorily, do not disturb her, but keep 

 her under careful supervision. If, on the other hand, after sev- 

 eral hours of pain nothing is accomplished, prepare at once to 

 aid her by securing the services of a competent "vet.," if you 

 yourself are not able to render prompt and intelligent assistance. 

 Many fine Boston Terrier bitches have been lost through delay, 

 and valuable litters of pups are often destroyed. If, on the other 

 hand, one pup is taken from them before their strength is de- 

 pleted, they will often be able to have the rest of the litter with- 

 out further aid. The period of whelping greatly varies with 

 bitches, and it is very important to be assured that each pup 

 soon after being born is able to secure nourishment, otherwise 

 he should have one of the teats placed in his mouth and held 

 there until able to work for himself. Bitches will seldom take 

 any nourishment until all is over, then plenty of warm milk or 

 soup seems very grateful. It is well when the bitch is undershot 

 or tired to cut with a pair of scissors the naval cord, leaving 

 about three inches attached to the pups' abdomen. This opera- 

 tion must not be done too soon after birth for the cord contains 

 blood vessels and if these are not allowed to dry up the baby will 

 bleed to death. Bitches generally eat the afterbirths when al- 

 lowed to do so; but to my mind it is just as well to limit the 



38 



