Barbara sighed as she looked at the puppies who were all laying in bed with her. She softly stroked her children's fur and looked at the photo album on her lap.

"Oh, Brian", she sighed. "I wish you were here."

She turned the page and sighed as she looked at the pictures. They were pictures of the puppies' births. Barbara reached out and softly touched the photos as the memory of that day came rushing back.

Barbara panted heavily as Brian held her paw. This was completely unexpected. They hadn't expected the puppies to be born on Christmas Day, but Barbara wasn't complaining. She couldn't have asked for a better gift.

"Brian", she breathed. "Are you scared?"

She looked at Brian's paw which was shaking in hers.

"Scared?" he asked. "Not so much. I'm nervous, but I'm also excited. Our puppies are finally coming."

Barbara smiled and whimpered as she felt a fresh contraction. She had been in labor for nearly an hour and the vet finally told them that the first puppy was arriving. Barbara panted heavily as she pushed with all her might.

"I hope this puppy comes out looking like you", she smiled.

Brian said nothing and just kissed Barbara's paw. She whimpered from the pain as she pushed. The vet smiled as he held the first born puppy for them to see. She had white fur like Brian's but thick like Barbara's.

"It's a girl", the vet smiled cleaning it off.

Little Briana was placed beside her mother, softly whimpering as she curled up beside her. Brian and Barbara smiled as they looked at their first daughter.

"You did it, Barbara", he said. "She's here."

"You got more coming", the vet said. "Don't get comfortable yet."

Barbara panted heavily and squeezed Brian's paw as another contraction came. The pain came and left for another hour before the next puppy arrived. This one had thick golden fur like Barbara, but had white paws like Brian.

"It's a boy", the vet smiled as he cleaned him off.

Little Ollie was placed beside Briana and whimpered as he competed with his sister for the best spot beside their mother.

"A boy", Brian smiled. "Wow, twins."

"You're not done yet", the vet said. "You still have more to go."

"More?" Barbara gasped for air.

Another hour full of pain passed until another puppy had arrived. It whimpered and squirmed in the vet's hands trying to get away. He cleaned it off, showing it had Barbara's thick golden fur.

"Another girl", he said putting Jenny with her brother and sister.

The proud parents chuckled as they watched their puppies whimper and roll around with each other. Brian kissed forehead.

"They're beautiful", he said with a smile.

"Still not done yet", the vet said.

Barbara growled frustrated. She whimpered as she pushed after another hour of contractions. Brian held her paw and kissed her cheek.

"It's okay, Barbara", he said. "It's almost over."

"Actually, it's over now", the vet said as he held the newborn pup.

"It's over?" Barbara asked. "That's all of them?"

"Every last one."

The vet cleaned little Marcus off and placed him with the other three pups. The four of them whimpered as they started competing with each other to start nursing. Brian kissed Barbara happily, letting his tail wag.

"I'm so proud of you", he said. "Four beautiful, healthy puppies."

Barbara shut the book and looked at the puppies. They had grown so much. It wouldn't be long now before they became adults and moved out on their own. Barbara dreaded the day that would come.