Birth at Marblehead Lighthouse

Winter has begun with fierce abandon, and the shores of Lake Erie near Marblehead Lighthouse are whipped with wind and frothy waves that splash threateningly around the green-doored Lighthouse.

Nearby, hidden in thick brush surrounding the chain-link fence encircling the field behind the old keeper's house which is now a museum and tourist attraction, Mother has given birth to a litter of five. Father Woofer is off on a food scavenging mission as Mother keeps the tiny pups gathered close to her warm belly.

A light snow shower gradually turns to rain. Mother thinks of her mate, who is hunting and exposed to the wild weather, as she allows her furry bundles to nurse. She is becoming increasingly wet herself as the large raindrops penetrate the tall, brown shreds of grass that remain in clumps entangled at the base of a small lilac bush. The winter ravaged lilac bush and partially dead grass that has grown next to and through the fence protect her from being discovered. She nuzzles her beauties closer and makes her body a sheltering circle around them, doing her best to keep them dry.

Woofer has been gone for hours, and Mother begins to worry about his safety. Mother and Woofer have no humans. They are castaways from neighboring communities and have become devoted mates. When her whelping began, Mother halted their pilgrimage to seek refuge within the growth outside the fence at the Lighthouse museum building. Unable to seek further shelter, she dropped her pups there.

Woofer, alarmed at his mate's weakened condition, reluctantly trotted off to find a meal for both of them.

Several weeks pass and on New Year's Day the sun shines on the birthing nest snuggled against the fence. A gentler winter wind helps push the waves to shore in pleasant, but boisterous slaps. Woofer has yet to return, and Mother worries while she nurses and licks the pups. At least, all five of the litter seem well. All of them nurse with enthusiasm, wiggling and scratching at Mother's belly as they nudge and pull at the life-giving nipples.

The day remains dry and sunny. Mother is grateful to soak in the warmth of the giant ball of fire that hovers above them. Fluffed from Mother's dutiful tongue, the coats of the pups are thoroughly dry after days of drenching snow and rain.

The warming sun also brings danger. The museum keeper's regular maintenance check routine has brought him once again to check on the building, and Mother must keep the pups quiet so they won't be discovered.

This task, however, proves difficult. The most aggressive of the pups -- Mother has named him Woo-woo-woo -- has taken to frequent imitations of the soft crash of waves by squealing out a "woof" that only becomes "woo, woo, woo". Mother cannot hush Woo-woo-woo. The pup continues to push his nose back into the wind and woof his best as the waves transfix him. Even Mother's demanding nose and left paw won't deter him.

A high price is paid. The keeper hears Woo-woo-woo's squeals and approaches the fence, searching for the source of the animal sounds. When he finds the nest, he bends over the fence toward Mother and the squealing, frightened pups. He says, "Well, well, well. What have we here?" Mother growls her displeasure.

"Oh, ho!" the keeper exclaims. He soon walks to the back gate of the fence and approaches the nest at its lake side. Mother cowers, covering the pups. Her deep-throated warning isn't enough.

Mother tries to jump to her feet in defense of her nest, but the keeper is quick. He snatches up the nearest pup who has fallen away from the rest as Mother made her protective move. The keeper grins. "I'll be back for the rest, little lady."

Mother is frantic. As the keeper moves away, back through the gate, and toward the building, Mother's maternal instincts take control. She clamps her jaws around Woo-woo-woo's neck and swiftly carries him off into the brushy, wooded area many yards from the museum fence. When she returns to the nest, only one pup remains. She sees the keeper holding two of her pups and staring at her from the opposite side of the fence.

She knows it will be extremely dangerous to attempt rescue of her remaining offspring. Will the keeper leap the fence to stop her?

Mother moves with quick precision, grabs the shivering pup, swivels around, and races to the woods.