Sole survivor

Martha was presumed dead like her mum and littermates, who had all died during birth.

That was until the newborn puppy, weighing less than a hamster, suddenly started wriggling – a tiny glimmer of life amid a devastating loss.

Her poor mum, a shih-tzu, arrived as an emergency case at a vet practice in North Yorkshire with her litter stuck during birth. She, along with Martha’s siblings, sadly couldn’t be saved.

To those that had witnessed the heartbreaking situation unfold, Martha’s miracle was a happy surprise but one tinged with worry and sadness.

Without her mother’s milk, she was unlikely to survive without specialist care. The vet team wondered if putting her to sleep might be the kindest decision, to prevent any further suffering.

But a vet nurse, determined to give Martha any chance she could, stepped in to take her home and provide round-the-clock hand feeding. It was touch and go, but she pulled through.

After two weeks, Blue Cross Thirsk took Martha in to continue the wonderful lifesaving, round-the-clock care she had already received. 

Animal Welfare Assistant, Jenny Day, stepped in to provide a foster home for the tiny puppy to give her the best possible chance of pulling through.

She says: “The poor tiny mite could fit into the palm of your hand and she was so vulnerable left all her own. 

“Her eyes were still closed and we weren’t sure if she had the strength to make it – not just because she was all alone with no mum, but also the brothers and sisters puppies usually have for company and warmth. 

“We were determined not to give up on her and her early weeks were spent with my own dogs, Lily and Freddie, Chihuahuas who kept her company and helped her learn a bit about the world.”

Happily, the tiny pup grew stronger and was weaned off her milk onto puppy food. She went from strength to strength and, at eight weeks old, was ready to go to her new home.

New owner, Louise Lee, says: “We had been part-time fostering Gigi, a neighbour’s shih-tzu, since lockdown as she had developed separation anxiety, but we knew it was time for a dog of our own. 

“I have always had shih-tzus as family pets and know their about special characteristics. 

“However, I was looking for a crossbreed because they are flat-faced dogs who can potentially suffer terrible breathing problems. As soon as I saw Martha, as crossed with a Maltese, I knew she was the dog for us.”

Martha now lives a happy life in north London, joining Louise on trips to the office and stealing the hearts of everyone she meets along the way.

Before Christmas – the one Martha might never have had – Louise took her to Blue Cross Thirsk to reunite the growing puppy with Jenny.

She remembered exactly who Jenny was and what she did to save her life and help her to grow into the confident, cheeky six-month-old she is today.

Jenny adds: “It was lovely to see Martha again and how she has grown into a confident, sassy little girl. It is so rewarding when you see pets again in their new lives after dedicating as much as you possibly can to their care. 

“Fostering pets of any age is a great experience and we are so grateful to volunteers who help us with this. Blue Cross has never been needed more so we are always welcoming anyone considering fostering a homeless pet.”