A Marblehead teenager helped deliver 10 puppies in the back of a Chevy Tahoe while traveling on Interstate 95.
Felix Regnault, 15, was taking his dog, Kiki, to the vet for a scheduled Cesarean section last month when the Labrador retriever went into labor earlier than expected.
“I knew we were in for a ride when the first pup started emerging before we even got on the highway entrance,” said Mary Ellen Fletcher of Swampscott, who shares the dog with Regnault and was driving.
Fletcher coached Felix through the delivery.
“My initial reaction was concern for Felix, as he’s never witnessed anything like this before, and for our sweet girl, Kiki, in the backseat,” she said.
“I’ve never delivered a litter before, but it was quite beautiful to see them,” Regnault said.
His initial reaction? Nervousness.
“It was definitely, definitely a little bit of panic in the beginning,” he said.
To keep Kiki healthy, Regnault fed her calcium tablets (which Fletcher kept on hand in case of an early delivery) for energy between puppies. When the supply ran out before reaching the vet, they called fellow dog breeder Steve O’Neal to bring more. He met them in the parking lot outside the vet hospital.
Once Kiki delivered 10 puppies, they went inside for an X-ray to confirm the litter was complete. In all, it took a few hours from start to finish.
The highway labor and delivery was a first for Fletcher, an experienced breeder.
“We just had to deal with each situation as it came about — drying puppies, clearing their airways, tying off umbilical cords and making sure my girl was as comfortable as possible,” Fletcher said. “I walked Felix through step-by-step what to do.”
Regnault and Fletcher met during the pandemic when Regnault’s mom, Marine, was looking to get a pup for her son. While walking in Swampscott one day, Marine crossed paths with Fletcher and her beloved Labrador, Angus.
Fletcher breeds and shows championship Labrador retrievers under Mullaghmore Labradors. Excited by the breeder’s credentials, the Regnaults put a deposit down on a Lab puppy from an upcoming litter. They soon brought home Kiki. But sudden allergy issues had the family agonizing over having to re-home their new furry friend. Heartbroken at having to separate the boy from his canine companion, Fletcher generously offered for them to co-own Kiki themselves.
“I couldn’t break this little boy’s heart,” Fletcher recalled.
Three years later, the pair was delivering Kiki’s puppies. Of the 10 surviving newborn pups, five were male and five female. Regnault helped dry and warm the puppies while Fletcher handled reviving any that were weak after birth.
Regnault said the experience, while nerve-wracking, gave him an appreciation for the miracle of life.
“It’s definitely matured me,” he said. “I think personally it made me grateful for just life in general. I’ve never seen that before. And being able to be part of it, it really gives you a greater appreciation.”
Fletcher was duly impressed.
“I was so proud of how Felix kept his composure and continued encouraging our girl that she was indeed being the amazing mom she is,” she said.
Kiki’s puppies are home with her but will be available for sale soon.
