Mom dog (Roxy) got taken to the vet. He told MIL that she needed to get that dog's weight up NOW. He told her to bring her back in 2 weeks, and that if the dog's weight wasn't up he would call someone to come get ALL the animals. He said he'd do that if she didn't show up in 2 weeks, as well.
I know she's upset at me. I know she's hurt and she's worried that she's going to lose her lap dog, Honey. BUT. I think maybe being worried about her "baby" is what she really needed in order to realize that she needed to take equal care of all the dogs.
So far, I know that she's feeding the dogs a little better. My "Spy" says that she's looking a lot better, and is able to spend more time with her pups than just scrambling around the yard looking for food. He said the new food looks like it's much better quality than the old food, and that it's PUPPY food! Yay for higher calories!
Have a bit of sad news though. The stud dog, Solomon, dug a hole under the gate and managed to get in the front yard with Roxy an her pups. He's still only about a year old, and we think he was trying to just play with the pups, but ended up hurting one of them. My friend took the pup to the vet, and the pup now has 3 stitches along the back of it's neck. The vet was upset that the stud managed to get in, and that my friend was the one to bring the pup in and pay for treatment, but he's just happy the pup was brought in. He gave my friend a discount, btw. And the vet is relatively happy with the condition of the pup, said that Roxy was taking excellent care of them, considering. Pup got some antibiotic shots and a steroid shot, just in case, and some sub Q fluids just to help him get an advantage.
I'll keep everyone updated as I can.
for mom and pups if you guys don't mind.
I know she's upset at me. I know she's hurt and she's worried that she's going to lose her lap dog, Honey. BUT. I think maybe being worried about her "baby" is what she really needed in order to realize that she needed to take equal care of all the dogs.
So far, I know that she's feeding the dogs a little better. My "Spy" says that she's looking a lot better, and is able to spend more time with her pups than just scrambling around the yard looking for food. He said the new food looks like it's much better quality than the old food, and that it's PUPPY food! Yay for higher calories!
Have a bit of sad news though. The stud dog, Solomon, dug a hole under the gate and managed to get in the front yard with Roxy an her pups. He's still only about a year old, and we think he was trying to just play with the pups, but ended up hurting one of them. My friend took the pup to the vet, and the pup now has 3 stitches along the back of it's neck. The vet was upset that the stud managed to get in, and that my friend was the one to bring the pup in and pay for treatment, but he's just happy the pup was brought in. He gave my friend a discount, btw. And the vet is relatively happy with the condition of the pup, said that Roxy was taking excellent care of them, considering. Pup got some antibiotic shots and a steroid shot, just in case, and some sub Q fluids just to help him get an advantage.
I'll keep everyone updated as I can.
for mom and pups if you guys don't mind.
I hope that the vet can get her on the right track, and if not, I hope he keeps his word. That is great that they are getting better food. I am glad that the puppy is ok, and that he got the vet care he needed.
Dealing with family can be much tougher than dealing with strangers because you have to face them in the long run. Secondly, I'm really glad the vet is doing something for the Sheps. Roxy does look frightfully skinny, I'm disgusted at how your MIL spoils some favourite dogs and lets the Sheps deteriorate to such a state. She's obviously exploiting them, and I hope you and the vet are able to really drill it into her that she cannot do that. What I am afraid of is once you move back home, your MIL will have the pressure off her back and things will be right back to where they used to be... Poor ol Sheps... Do keep us posted. Positive vibes for Roxy and the rest who are out in the backyard 
