A litter of puppies, born just hours after their mum was handed in to the Blue Cross animal hospital in Central London, will all be in happy homes in time for Christmas after the charity stepped in to help.

'Karma’ and her eight puppies urgently needed to be in a comfortable home after they were born and Caroline Oram, Animal Welfare Assistant at Blue Cross in Bromsgrove immediately offered to foster them until the pups could be weaned and find homes of their own. Caroline said:

“It was a race against time to help Karma’s owner who desperately needed our help after being unable to keep her much-loved pet. After the pups were born they couldn’t stay at the animal hospital so I offered to take them in and give Karma all the TLC both her and the pups needed.” 

Caroline provided round-the-clock foster care for Karma and her pups, to ensure the new mum had all the support she needed and provide a crucial home environment for the youngsters to grow up in.

As their mum was called Karma, the centre decided to give the pups all similar names - Spirit, Buddha, Asher, Kaleb, Joy, Lotus, Faith and Serenity. Asher means blessed, and Kaleb means dog faithful. They went from strength to strength, and Karma took well to motherhood.

The puppies – four girls and four boys – quickly went from forming “puppy piles” to keep warm to walking and exploring the world around them, with Caroline and the team always on hand to show them the sights and sounds needed for them to grow into happy, confident dogs. Happily all the puppies have found loving families to spend Christmas with and begin their new lives.Caroline added:

“My job was to give Karma all of the care she needed so her puppies could thrive. Their personalities soon started to come out. Asher comes and finds me and Buddha always wants a fuss.

"Faith is the more worried one but she's grown in confidence. I’m so proud that Blue Cross was there for Karma and her owner, who loved her very much and was heartbroken to have to say goodbye to her.

"We are delighted that the puppies, and hopefully their mum too, will be spending their first Christmas in the loving homes they all deserve.”
 
Blue Cross helps sick, injured and homeless pets at its rehoming centres and animal hospitals across the country. you can find out more at bluecross.org.uk/christmas.