Class act: Mutter and Pups hope to make new home their 'forte'

As mums across the country celebrated Mother's Day with their loved ones at the weekend, staff at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe were caring for one very special doggy mum and her four six-week-old puppies as they prepare to find loving new homes.

Devoted mum six-year-old Bichon Frise Millie came to Dogs Trust earlier this year when her elderly owner could no longer care for her. During a routine health check, vets discovered that Millie was in fact pregnant and she gave birth to a surprise litter of four healthy puppies just a few days later!

As Millie was listening to Classic FM on the radio when she delivered the Bichon Frise cross pups, staff named the three girls and one boy Chopin, Verdi, Strauss and Bach after famous classical composers. Whilst Millie has done a wonderful job looking after the pups, they will soon be eight week’s old when they will leave staff behind to scale new heights in a home of their own. Staff are appealing to anyone who can become a second mum to Millie or one of her pups to get in touch.

Elise Watson, Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre Manager comments, “This was Millie’s first Mother’s Day and we made sure she got lots of special fuss and attention. It was certainly a surprise to find out that she was expecting, but mum and pups are doing well and currently enjoying living in perfect harmony as they await loving new homes. The pups are now six weeks old now which means they are playing together, exploring their surroundings and starting to develop their own little personalities!”

“Whilst they have a couple of weeks before they are able to leave mum, the adorable fluffy quartet will soon be ready for their time at the rehoming centre to come to a crescendo. The pups will need lots of socialisation with other dogs in their early years and plenty of fuss and attention. They need to continue their basic puppy training so new owners will need to be around for the majority of the time whilst they settle in.”

If you are interested in adding a new furry member to your family, please call Dogs Trust Ilfracombe on 0300 303 0292 or visit the centre at Hazeldene, West Down, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 8NU.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for nearly 17,000 dogs each year through its network of 20 Rehoming Centres across the UK and one in Dublin.

For more information about the charity’s work please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk