Thanks for all your comments, they have been taken on board
Just want to repeat that the puppies would have stayed within the family and friends circle and would have come back to me if necessary and would never have ended up in rescue.
I have spent the last 20 years handrearing orphaned/rejected puppies, kittens and birds, so I do know what is involved in handrearing and am very experienced in it. Money isn't an issue and if she had needed a c-section it would not be a problem - but obviously I wouldn't want to put her through that (had a c-section myself so know how yuk it is

eek

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As I posted on another thread I also do feel that breeding dogs (designer cross breeds, inferior bitches etc) is done far too much by inexperienced people and with little thought as to what future the pups have. And this is why I haven't let her have a litter before now. However, she is such a gorgeous little dog with a sound body and temperament, a lot more than can be said of some of the pedigree dogs I see being bred from
So I guess I'm being a hypocrite in wanting my own babies. You are all right and just confirming something I felt already anyway. She is too old bless her, and as special and wonderful as she is doesn't mean she needs to produce a little mini me. She will be spayed after this season and that will be that. We love our little girl too much to risk her health in any way. I think this is probably why I brought this to the boards, as deep down I didn't think it was the right thing to be doing. Thanks all for setting me back on track
