A litter of 14 pups orphaned when their mother died giving birth have been saved after they were hand reared - by an entire VILLAGE. Eight-year-old Springer Spaniel Nutmeg's offspring were looked after by the locals in Tedburn St Mary - who drew up a rota. Nutmeg suffered difficulties after going into labour and was rushed to a vet for treatment. She was expecting around eight puppies but they kept coming - and ended up with a litter of 14 placed into a laundry basket.