Great mom!

[Sarah Conte]

Ok, my Viola had her fourth litter two weeks ago Monday.  She had five pups
(her largest has been seven).  Paulina had her first litter a week ago
Saturday.  She had six.  Within the first few days, I noticed that three of
Paulina's had died and that she seemed to be neglecting the remainder.  So, I
decided on Friday to place the three remaining pups with Viola and just take
my chances that she would raise them (they seemed to have little to no chance
with Paulina at this point.) To my surprise, even though Viola's pups were
almost two weeks older and about twice the size of Paulina's, Viola took them
in with no problem whatsoever.  She's feeding them well and they are much
bigger and healthier today than when I put them with her.  I have fostered
pups to Viola before.  Her second litter was only one pup and I fostered
three mouse pups to keep it alive.  The last one was two, and I fostered a
few of another mother's pups to her.  I had just about decided to stop
breeding her due to small litter size (even though she is such a good mother)
when she had this last litter.  Has anyone else had this kind of experience
with an uncommonly good mother?
Sarah