Family of Saints

It could be called the Saint Bernard experience.
 
That's how Saint Bernard dog owners Doug and Tamzen Johnson of Blooming Prairie described the bond between the couple and nine puppies recently born to father Jethro and mother Ellie Mae.
 
Meeting the Johnsons and nine puppies on a sunshiny and hot day was a real experience. Jethro and Ellie Mae, named after two Beverly Hillbillies characters, were part of the welcoming party.
 
The Johnsons named the puppies after characters on the Flintstones and the Jetsons. The last puppy to be named was Ragnar, who, with a purple string, was named after the Minnesota Vikings mascot.
 
Five of the nine were spoken for before Adoption Day last Saturday. All but two were sold as of late Saturday.
 
According to Tamzen, their veterinarian, Dr. Susie Strunk, X-rayed Ellie Mae two days before the puppies were born. "We were told that Ellie was carrying six for sure and it could be up to 10."
 
Ellie Mae gave birth to five males and four females on June 19 at the Johnson residence.
 
Tamzen said she realized something was happening with Ellie Mae the day the puppies were born. "She was acting weird and tried to go behind Doug's recliner. She then came in the kitchen by me and out plopped a puppy," Tamzen said.
 
Tamzen then placed Ellie Mae in a whelping pen, where she gave birth to the rest of her litter. The pen is made of heavy plastic and has a rubber bottom and also features a rail.
 
"Ellie Mae was real calm during the birthing process, said Tamzen. "All (puppies) were breathing and doing fine."
 
Jethro was nowhere in sight.
 
All of the Johnsons' Saint Bernard dogs are purebred. Ellie Mae is fully registered with AKC (American Kennel Club). Jethro is registered through the AKC Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program. The new owners can further register their dogs.
 
Typically, Saint Bernard puppies sell for between $1,500 and $1,800. Because Jethro was not fully registered, Doug and Tamzen offered the puppies at $800 each.
 
Doug has now been involved, either owning or breeding a total of 28 Saint Bernard dogs.
 
The Johnsons said they have no plans to breed their dogs again. And while they are not keeping any of the puppies. Jethro and Ellie Mae will remain.
 
“The puppies are like kids and they have to be trained," said Tamzen.
 
The Johnsons advertised the puppies in the local newspaper and also on Facebook. "We also put some posters up around town," Tamzen said. Videos were also available.
 
The response has been phenomenal, the Johnsons said. "We've had up to 2,325 posts," Tamzen, the photographer, said.
 
"We are just happy we can share a good dog with dog lovers," Tamzen said.