No one knows how long they’d been there.
In late April, Shafter City Animal Control received a report about a dog family that had been left behind in an orchard. When officers arrived to investigate, they discovered several laundry hampers scattered among the trees — and inside them was a mother dog with a large group of puppies.
The mama dog and 10 puppies had been abandoned with little access to food and no real shelter from the weather. Six of the puppies were her own, while the other four appeared to be from a separate litter. Even so, she had taken them in and cared for them as if they all belonged to her.
“Despite unimaginable circumstances, this devoted mama did everything she could to protect and care for not only her own puppies, but a second litter as well,” Pawsitively Saved Rescue shared on Facebook.
Animal control brought the entire family back to the shelter, where staff hoped to place them with a rescue that could provide the special care they needed. In early June, Pawsitively Saved Rescue stepped in and welcomed them all.
The rescue named the mother dog Kelly, and everyone was touched by how devoted she remained to all 10 puppies. Her six babies are now around 8 weeks old, while the four puppies from the other litter are nearly 3 months old.
According to Pawsitively Saved Rescue, the smallest puppy, named Sam, has a grade 4 heart murmur. Aside from that, the puppies are doing well, and the vet believes Sam may eventually grow out of the condition.
Kelly and the puppies are now safe in foster care and are expected to be available for adoption soon.
It is unclear how long the little family had been left alone in the orchard, but Kelly managed to keep every puppy safe until rescuers found them. Because of her loyalty and strength, they now have the chance to grow up in loving homes.