*****Crossposted*****

Thought this was a good eye opener....

Often people talk about the joy of watching the miracle birth of puppies. This is particularly disturbing to us, as try as we might, people refuse to believe that things can and do go wrong, and that in many cases, having children watching or involved in a bitch giving birth is not appropriate to either the child or the dam, and indeed can disturb the bitch, and cause on-going trauma and nightmares to the child.
So, the best we can do is try to get the message across in this tongue in cheek account below which talks about the "joy of birth" video.

Announcing "THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH" Videotape
Intended for all those who want to breed little fluffy in order to let their children experience the "miracle" of birth, this real-time video tape set can either substitute for home breedingor guide you in making the most of your breeding decision.

Experience the joys of seeing a live puppy pop effortlessly from its mother's body and see her consume the bloody afterbirth! (Most children will squeal with delight when seeing this for the first time - many will make a life-long commitment to celibacy then and there.)

Enjoy watching the frantic efforts of a breeder trying to resuscitate a still-born puppy.

See the hilarious actions of a bitch who searches for the puppy she thinks she just dropped but which was quickly tossed into the wastebasket because it was only a blackened, half-developed foetus.

Reserve a full 36 hours to see the entire set of tapes in one sitting to really share the drama, boredom, and exhaustion of the breeder as she labours to help her struggling bitch in extended labor.

Watch as a breeder tries to recruit several helpers to carry her dying bitch to the car for transport to the nearest Vet in a futile attempt at saving the beloved family pet (Seeing the children crying and asking what is happening is half the fun!)

Follow the fun as a breeder and his wife alternate duties during a full week of 4-hour bottle feedings with a fading puppy while also trying to keep 13 others dry and healthy!

And, as an extra added attraction:

Laugh with us at the madcap antics of a typical shelter worker as she accepts new animals while keeping a straight face as mom and dad assure little Kevin that the nice lady will take VERY GOOD care of 8-year floppy. Enjoy the thrills as she later shoves dead unwanted puppies and adult dogs into freezer as she chokes back tears and goes home to try and explain to her children just what she does at work!

Watch a bonus tape that shows the chagrin of a backyard breeder who was tracked down from her telephone number which was all she ever gave out. This wonderful person would arrange to meet people at local shopping malls where she handed over her 4-5 week-old puppies for £120 each! We were all amazed to find that those 20 puppies she was selling each year all came from the same single bitch and dog.

Yes, if you, or a friend, are considering breeding Fluffy to show children the "miracle" of birth, be sure to get this video and show them the miracle of death at the same time!

We have high hopes for this video, following as it does on the tremendous success of our first effort: "Do it yourself home vasectomy, featuring George "squeaky" Baker," and its sequel, "Do it yourself home explosives mixing, by Bob "lefty" Anderson."

Phone, e-mail, or postal orders NOT accepted, this tape is sold ONLY in person because I REALLY want to meet you.

This really bugs me in nearly every book i've read it's says you shouldn't show your kids the miracle of birth as if you would anyway it's ridiculous.  There's well more other reasons why you'd breed rather than just breeding to show your children, why would you show your children anyway with blood all over the place and spoldgy bits everywhere.  I dont believe anyone thinks they'll breed just to let the kids watch they'd rather watch post man pat plus when there of age they'll watch it in school, i think children would find it quite traumatic to watch a dog giving birth in the first place, you dont take kids in the hospital while your giving birth to their sister or brother so why would you let them watch a dog giving birth?   there's more sinister reasons why a person would breed there dog and i think that should be what is concentrated on!!!!!!!!!!!

Warm regards Susan

Good point Susan

I have had my kids around to see the whelping of a bitch when they have asked to (usually when in about year 4 at primary school), and also simply as they will have been around while it was happening, if they were interested enough to want to watch they were mature enough to deal with it with my help.

Luckily I never had any stillbirths until the kids were older, but they did have to deal with my dealing with an unviable pup being Put to sleep.

As a result they have a very matter of fact approach to the whole matter of reproduction, and both have commented how silly and immature their freinds have been over matters sexual.  They say but it's only sex mummy?

My 14 year old son has even assisted when mating our awkward bitch.

This has resulted in my 18 year old daughter being ultra careful over birth control, as she sees that pregnancy can result in just one mating.  They also don't seem that curious about it.