At the end of last April, animal control services in Shafter, California, received a report about an abandoned family of animals in an orchard. When rescuers arrived at the scene, they discovered several old laundry baskets left between the trees. Hidden inside was a mother dog and an impressive number of puppies.
The dog and her ten puppies had been left to their fate. They had no real shelter from the weather and very little food. It was a highly critical situation.
The sacrifice of a devoted mother
When officers examined the little family, they discovered an even more touching reality. Out of the ten puppies, only six actually belonged to the mother. The other four were from a completely different litter. Yet, this brave dog had chosen to care for them and nurse them as if they were her own.
”Despite unimaginable circumstances, this devoted mum did everything she could to protect and care for not only her own puppies, but a second litter as well,” praised the Pawsitively Saved Rescue group on Facebook.
Brighter days in foster care
After being temporarily cared for at the city shelter, the whole family was taken in by Pawsitively Saved Rescue at the beginning of June. Named Kelly, the mother dog continues to impress volunteers with her gentle nature and protective instincts.
Today, her own puppies are eight weeks old, while the four adopted rescues are nearly three months old. The smallest of the bunch, a puppy named Sam, has a grade 4 heart murmur. Fortunately, the vet is optimistic and believes he will fully outgrow it. The entire family is currently being pampered in foster care and will very soon be put up for adoption to start a well-deserved new life.