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Litter of 10 brings mum back to earth
00:00, 27 January 2005
updated: 16:03, 27 January 2005
A JETLAGGED single mother of three found herself turning midwife to deliver 10 more additions to her family - only this time they each had four legs and a tail.
Ruth Davies, who lives in Canterbury, had returned from a family funeral in Mexico the day before Coke, her two year-old German shepherd-Rottweiler cross, started to give birth.
"I knew something was wrong when she started whining and shaking a little," said Miss Davies.
She hurriedly laid down three towels on the cramped living room floor and set to work.
"Coke was three weeks early and they just kept coming. I texted my boyfriend after the seventh puppy saying I thought that was it. Then came the eighth, ninth and 10th. He texted me back just saying 'wow!'
"It was exhausting, especially after my flight, and my eyes were on stalks. My children made me cups of tea and an egg sandwich to keep me going. It all happened so fast."
Just a few days old, the puppies have yet to open their eyes and regularly tumble over when trying to walk. Mainly Rottweiler in appearance, only one has the distinctive white stomach band of its mother.
The six males and four females have yet to be named although Miss Davies' 10-year-old daughter Teri has nicknamed one noisy male Whinger.
With a monthy bill of £60 already for Coke, Miss Davies says she can only afford to keep one male.
She said: "Coke is such an amazing mother and has had to grow up fast in the last few days. The puppies are all very healthy and between them get through two 500g tins of milk powder a week."
Originally from Belize, Miss Davies previously kept five rottweilers during her childhood in Mexico. One gave birth to 23 puppies.
Anyone interested in buying one of the puppies can call Miss Davies on 07949 310390.