Pregnancy is a challenging time for any mother, and this is true for our furry friends, too.
Carrying one baby is tough enough, let alone five, six, or more. For a pregnant mom, whether human or canine, support is essential.
When Poppy, a sweet dog, realized she was going to be a mom, she didn’t imagine her journey would unfold on the streets of Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Poppy was homeless, with no roof over her head and no one to rely on as she prepared to welcome her puppies into the world.
As her due date approached, Poppy’s thoughts must have been filled with how she would care for her pups in such harsh circumstances.
But, even as she faced these worries, she could not have guessed that her story was about to change for the better.
A Rescue and a Warm Welcome
Poppy’s luck took a turn when the team from Saving Grace North Carolina found her just days before she was due to give birth.
Shelter worker Carter Cifelli couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Poppy at the shelter, especially in her condition.
She decided to foster Poppy, bringing her home to a warm, comfortable place where she could relax and prepare for her puppies.
“She mostly just wanted to rest, and I focused on letting her adjust to her space and get some good nutrition into her,” Carter said.
Those first few days were peaceful, filled with rest and cuddles.
Then, one morning, after breakfast and some sunbathing in the backyard, Poppy climbed onto a garden chair and made herself comfortable.
Carter tried coaxing her back inside but to no avail. That’s when Carter decided to snap a photo, noticing how serene Poppy looked.
But as she approached, she realized Poppy was focused on something in the chair.
To her surprise, Carter saw a tiny puppy—Poppy’s first baby had arrived!
A Calm and Loving Mother
Carter moved Poppy and her new pup inside, preparing for the rest of the litter. Poppy gave birth calmly, welcoming seven healthy puppies without a hitch.
“She was so incredibly calm,” Carter shared. “She seemed like a seasoned mom and knew exactly what to do.”
The puppies, four boys, and three girls, were soon given unique names—Ranch, Dijon, Honey Mustard, Sesame, Tahini, Balsamic, and Vinaigrette.
Around the same time, Carter fostered another pregnant dog named Cadence, who also delivered a large litter. The two litters grew up together in a bustling, puppy-filled home.
A Hectic Summer and Happy Endings
With sixteen puppies in total, the summer of 2022 was lively at Carter’s home, filled with playful “puppy stampedes” and endless energy.
By the time the puppies reached ten weeks old, each had found a loving forever home. Carter still receives updates from many of the families, a testament to the connection she created with the pups as their first caretaker.
Shortly after her pups were adopted, Poppy also found her forever family.
Thanks to Carter’s care and the work of Saving Grace North Carolina, Poppy and her puppies each got the loving homes they deserved.
Carter documented Poppy and Cadence’s journey on her Instagram, where you can follow along to see the happy, blended family and perhaps witness more pups finding the love and security they deserve.