17/08/2022
I need some help and advice!! 😎I named them Tommy and Sheila. They are a stray bonded pair, and SO in love...and she looks pregnant. ❤️ I started feeding them a few weeks ago as Tommy always looked weak, and tired and obviously he protects his girlfriend Sheila. 🥰
They have become quite healthy looking since they're eating properly, and they often sleep over on my porch where I put out some blankets.
Then they disappear for a day or two, and come visit again every other day.
My own 4 rescues usually goes MAD at the front door at 3am in the morning, then I know Tommy and Sheila is checking in for food and a good nights sleep. ☺️
Sometimes they are still there in the morning, and even walk with us if I take Lola (one of my pups) for a walk.
Now here is the problem: Tommy I can pet, and touch and scratch, but Sheila is veeeery scared of human touch and flinch away. I have been building trust over weeks, she will even take food from my hand quickly...she's even gets excited when I greet her, but WON'T let me touch her...not yet anyway.
So, it's easy to potentially collar and leash Tommy, no problem, but Sheila I cannot catch. She is veeeery clever, I have tried various tricks... 😜
Tommy will even come in my back yard if I tease him with a Vienna sausage, but Sheila is too weary and clever and don't trust enough yet... 😉
The problem is, she is showing so I'm not sure how much time she has before the puppies come...and I would hate for her to have them under some bush in the rain!
So, I don't have enough time to build more trust so I can catch her myself easily, before the babies come! I try and make it very comfortable on my porch so MAYBE she will come there if she gives birth, but it's unlikely, as much as I know she does like me, but too afraid to take the step to trust humans.
I need a trap or sorts, like those cages they use to catch strays in the street...something with a trap door so I can put food inside and she can go inside maybe. Obviously I don't want her to be hurt or be too distressed, but I also don't want anything to happen to this beautiful adorable couple.
I'm even considering adopting them both after she's given birth, as they belong together.
I'm just weary as another rescue puppy recently died in my arms with a massive heart attack from the Parvo virus, hardly a week ago and it broke my heart...💔
I'm sure Sheila's probably NOT vaccinated so, there is potential risk for puppies here as the virus is SUPER contagious and can survive outdoors for months. Sheila and babies need to be in a safe more isolated home until I can take Sheila and Tommy in later.
My Staffie/ Pitty lost ALL her babies to distemper virus 2 years ago, and I spent 7 days with a puppy dying in my arms every night, there is no cure...it was the most horrific and traumatic, worse week of my life...😢
Anyway, I wouldn't cope with more loss. I'll give Tommy and Sheila a loving home with my 3 girls and Benji, but I have to get Sheila trapped so we can secure her and help her deliver safely.
Any ideas?? I'm here is Algarrobos, Doral Villas.
