Brood, Bitch and Puppies 81 



and she becomes as gay as a lark. But she, as a rule 

 views her increasing size and the swelling of her 

 teats in a very serious way indeed, and seems to 

 ask you what is the matter, and if nothing can be 

 done. In fact she is quite a study during the last 

 fortnight. 



"If a valuable bitch, she must be watched all 

 night, as she may need assistance. If your trench- 

 man is a good fellow, he won't object to having his 

 hammock near her for a night or two. There is no 

 reason why he should not sleep, for if she wants 

 help she will come and nudge him. She must have 

 plenty of clean water in the room, and milk or 

 broth, or both, for the strength must be kept up. 

 The danger now to be apprehended is overlaying, 

 and if there are many puppies, and it is a first 

 litter, this is very great, for usually the mother is 

 awkward, and a stroke of her paw might kill a 

 tender thing. A St. Bernard may lay her big head 

 on a puppy and press the life out of it. 



"Perhaps, therefore, the safest plan is to have a 

 basket lined with flannel, and a piece of flannel to 

 put over the puppies. Each is taken away, and 

 placed in this after the mother has seen it, till all 

 are born. Sometimes there are one or two very late. 

 You may go away, assuring yourself all is over, 

 and that your bitch has a litter of only five, and 



