The ultrasound was showing the vet something unbelievable, so she checked again. When it became clear that she did it right the first time and the sight was what it was, she froze seeing as she didn’t really think it was even possible. Nevertheless, there wasn’t really time to be in shock as she urgently needed to talk to the owners. Decisions had to be made without delay – after all, the life of their dog was on the line.
Pregnant Dog Didn’t Give Birth, Vet Was Shocked By The Reason
Time To Choose One
Chris and Mariesa wanted to adopt a dog, so the pair went to several shelters looking for a dog to add to their family. Even though Mariesa swore that only one dog would go home with them, they were now finding it difficult to pick among the sweethearts at the shelters. She saw all their big pleading eyes which begged her to choose them. However, all of a sudden, a dog caught her eye and she knew that this was the dog for her and Chris.
Time To Choose One
Belly Full Of Unborn Pups
The dog that went up to Mariesa and Chris, and licked their hands was heavily pregnant. With her belly swollen, she gave Mariesa a look that communicated how much she and her unborn puppies were in need of a proper home. It was clear that this pit bull was in need of a loving space where she would give birth to the puppies. Mariesa knew, without a doubt, that this dog would be going home with them. However, something happened which made them wonder whether the decision they were about to make was the right one.
Belly Full Of Unborn Pups
Bred And Then Surrendered At The Shelter
This really pregnant pit bull’s story was actually sadder than what they expected. Mariesa’s heart went out to the dog, whose name they learned was Storie. The dog used to belong to a backyard breeder. However, when they realized that it would be too expensive and difficult to look after her and her unborn puppies, they brought Storie to the shelter.
Bred And Then Surrendered At The Shelter
A Loving Home
Mariesa and Chris knew immediately that this dog needed their love and comfort as well as a shelter and place for her to give birth to her puppies. However, the story was actually more than just a tragic tale and what the vet discussed with them next caught them completely off guard.
A Loving Home
Fans Of Pit Bulls
Mariesa and Chris are keen on pit bulls. In fact, the pair have already rescued a number of dogs from this breed. To be more specific, the couple were already proud parents to ten happy fur babies! In the photo below, you can see eight of their adorable pups.
Fans Of Pit Bulls
Misunderstood
In the end, the couple decided that they could still do more for the breed of dogs that are so misunderstood. It was love for pit bulls that spurred them to make this decision. Even though they have had a lot of experience with dogs, one particular trip to the animal shelter showed them something which they had never come across before.
Misunderstood
Loving Parents To Many Dogs
The admirable couple shares a passion: their love for animals. In an interview, Mariesa told a reporter that she had broken up with former partners due to her obsession with dogs interfering with her relationships. Her dream was to fill a house with puppies but most of the men she dated did not understand her dream, nor did they support it.
Loving Parents To Many Dogs
Chris Was Different
When she met Chris, who is also a dog-lover, things changed. Besides their love for each other, their love for dogs grows stronger day by day as well. This picture gives us a glimpse of their love for their many furry children.
Chris Was Different
Friendly Faces In These Places
Many rescue centers and animal shelters find themselves having too much to handle. Sadly, they lack the proper resources for taking care of the animals despite the fact that they would like to save every single one of them. When Mariesa and Chris visited Pibbles & More Animal Rescue, the couple immediately noticed that an enormous number of dogs in the shelter were from a particular breed: pit bulls. They were astounded to see the many friendly dogs filling the space. At the time, Mariesa and Chris had no idea yet that one of those pit bulls would change the couple’s lives.
Friendly Faces In These Places
A Reputation They Did Not Deserve
Pit bulls have suffered from a bad rap but it is, in fact, the result of some misunderstanding. This dog breed is known for its large head and muscular physique, though this does not reflect the risk that they pose. In spite of this, many states have made owning a pit bull illegal. This is why a lot of these dogs eventually wind up in animal shelters.
A Reputation They Did Not Deserve
Trying To Change The Stigma
Mariesa and Chris know about this and they have adopted numerous pits. They have never experienced their fur babies displaying any violence. What’s more, they really wanted to do more in order to help the beautiful dogs find loving homes, but the couple had no idea that fate had something quite interesting in store for them.
Trying To Change The Stigma
Loving And Loyal Creatures
A lot of people may consider pit bulls to be the dog breed that is the most dangerous, but science has not backed this up. These dogs are actually as capable of being loyal and loving as any other dogs and when they are mistreated, they can behave as badly. Their genes did not make them predisposed to becoming evil creatures. If you give these dogs the chance, you will discover that they make for wonderful companions. At the shelter, Mariesa and Chris were about to meet one particular pit bull.
Loving And Loyal Creatures
The Pups Should Have Popped Out Already
Mariesa and Chris found out from the rescue staff that Storie was expected to have delivered her pups already! The staff did not know why her babies had not come out yet, especially when she seemed ready to pop. The situation was obviously a precarious one and the animal-loving pair could tell this spelled trouble for the sad pit bull. Mariesa and Chris needed to decide quickly because Storie’s and her puppies’ lives were on the line.
The Pups Should Have Popped Out Already
Helping The Soon-To-Be Mom
Time was running out and Storie needed to get some care fast. The couple discussed it more. While resting her head on Mariesa’s knee, Storie looked up to her with pleading eyes. That moved this woman to make up her mind.
Helping The Soon-To-Be Mom
Big Dog Family
Mariesa decided to bring the very pregnant pit bull home. However, she did not know whether this was the right decision since it would mean that their already large dog family would be expanding further. Was this huge challenge something that they can handle? At the time, the couple had not learned the full extent of the situation and they had no idea that it was more complex than what they initially thought.
Big Dog Family
The Perfect Solution
They knew that they would be taking care of more than 10 dogs if they bring Storie and her puppies home, but Mariesa did not like the idea of the dog staying at the shelter longer. Mariesa wanted to help the beautiful dog and make sure she would be at a safe place when giving birth. It was Chris who came up with an excellent solution. What was it?
The Perfect Solution
Foster Parents
Chris’s suggestion was for them to foster Storie and her puppies while the animal rescue looked for homes. The idea was great, though there was still another problem. They had no idea what was happening with the pregnancy. They were still clueless as to why Storie has not given birth to her puppies in spite of her swollen belly.
Foster Parents
Looking For Answers Online
This problem was unlike any other they had before. They were puzzled as to what was preventing Storie from having her puppies. Mariesa and Chris started to worry a lot, so they went online and researched about it on their own. However, the things they learned only terrified them, making them even more anxious.
Looking For Answers Online
Relationship Between Trauma And Birth
Oftentimes, we humans have the tendency to greatly underestimate the intelligence of many animals. Mariesa and Chris went online in order to look for answers and they looked up possible reasons for a dog resisting to deliver her puppies. The couple found one article which appeared to fit the circumstances.
Relationship Between Trauma And Birth
Stressful Conditions
According to the article, research shows that animals are prone to trauma and plenty of stress at rescue shelters. Naturally, a pregnant dog experiences a greater risk than others. Shelters may have been built with the aim of helping dogs, but it is clear that the crowded environment is not the best for these creatures. Needless to say, a home like Mariesa and Chris’ would be a far better fit.
Stressful Conditions
Realizing How Dangerous The Situation Is
Mariesa and Chris continued doing their research and came to the realization that the situation was actually worse than what they thought. If things did not change, Storie might lose all of her puppies and she could also die. According to what Mariesa read online, pregnant dogs experiencing trauma worry a lot for their puppies and they sometimes even refuse to give birth altogether. This is because the mother dogs feel that their puppies would not be safe. The couple saw how dangerous things were and thought they had to take the very pregnant Storie to the vet immediately if they had no intention of losing their family’s newest addition.
Realizing How Dangerous The Situation Is
What The Ultrasound Showed
The veterinarian was shocked by the results when she used the ultrasound on the pregnant dog. She simply shook her head, totally astounded by what she saw on the screen. She thought there was some kind of mistake!
What The Ultrasound Showed
Something Isn’t Right
However, there was no change in the shapes, nor did they disappear, which meant that it was true… Mariesa and Chris, and everybody else were about to receive some groundbreaking news and the little white outlines actually brought it with them. Mariesa felt something was not right, but what could it possibly be?
Something Isn’t Right
The Shock Of A Lifetime
After taking a deep breath, the vet went into an explanation about what is unusual in Storie’s womb. They might have already expected her to be carrying six puppies, but the ultrasound was showing something else. The vet pointed out the outlines, counting out all of them, and the reality started to dawn on the couple. They froze in shock because instead of the six puppies they had been expecting, the ultrasound was telling them a different story. What exactly was going on and why had Storie not given birth yet?
The Shock Of A Lifetime
A Development No One Expected
The vet had not expected it at all, so she counted the unborn puppies again. After that, she tried once more but she still got the same number. Finally, she knew the time had come to tell the anxious dog parents about Storie not only carrying six puppies, but 12!!!
A Development No One Expected
Disbelief
Mariesa and Chris were in total disbelief when they heard the news. It was just too much, though they had to deal with matters that were more pressing. They wanted to know what it meant for Storie and if she would be fine throughout the pregnancy. They were also wondering if all of her 12 puppies would be okay.
Disbelief
Go Home And Wait
The vet herself had a hard time figuring out why Storie did not give birth to her puppies yet. Fortunately, it was revealed in the ultrasound that all of the pups were alive and well. The vet told them to go home and get ready for the birth. They should just bring Storie back for examination if she did not give birth within the next 48 hours. Without the humans knowing, Storie had a great reason for waiting.
Go Home And Wait
The Parents Are Anxious
Mariesa and Chris were under so much stress when they went back home. Storie could lose a dozen babies and that made them nervous for the next 48 hours. They were worried about what would happen to Storie if she did not give birth to the puppies within that time. Even though it was a dangerous and terrible situation, there wasn’t anything they could do for her. However, as they were driving home, Mariesa came up with a brilliant idea.
The Parents Are Anxious
Giving Her A Space Of Her Own
By then, Mariesa and Chris had read enough articles about trauma and stress to know that they were affecting Storie a lot. Therefore, they tried to create the most comfortable environment they could for the pregnant dog to help her out. In a bedroom, Mariesa picked out a spot specifically for Storie and she placed pillows and blankets for comfort. Then, they brought Storie to the new sanctuary and hoped that it would help her, though, at the time, they did not know a miracle was going to happen.
Giving Her A Space Of Her Own
A Dozen Puppies
That night, Mariesa and Chris went to bed after a long day, but right after waking up, they checked up on Storie. They were hoping the pit bull felt more comfortable, but the sight which greeted them pleasantly surprised them.
A Dozen Puppies
During The Night
To their delight, the couple found Storie nursing a dozen adorable little pups when they went to the bedroom. She succeeded in giving birth to the puppies during the night. The couple were thrilled and they eventually figured out what she had waited for so long. Any ideas??
During The Night
Waiting For A Little TLC
When a dog gives birth to her puppies at a shelter, the experience is not only stressful for the mother but also the puppies. For some reason, Storie knew the environment was not the best for her to give birth in and decided to wait for good Samaritans like Mariesa and Chris. She must have known somehow that she would not wait long for her forever home. When the environment was finally proper, she simply let her body do what it needed to do. Let us just say the result was in front of her, twelve of them.
Waiting For A Little TLC
A Pack Of Her Own
Storie had spent less than one whole day with Mariesa and Chris when she finally got comfortable enough to bring her puppies into the world. It was a complete miracle because no one could figure out the reason for her being overdue and determine whether she would just give birth to the puppies eventually. This pit bull knew exactly that she needed to feel protection and security first before she could give birth to her children. At long last, she felt safe because of the adoptive couple and she now has twelve healthy babies.
A Pack Of Her Own
Puppies For Adoption
After a few weeks, the pups opened their eyes. Mariesa and Chris were having a wonderful time with the big litter of cute puppies. The little babies dominated the yard and engaged in play that only puppies can do. It is clear to see that Storie felt excited and happy with her babies.
Puppies For Adoption
A Great Dog Mama
Storie took good care of her puppies, which is not really a surprise coming from the best dog mama. However, before long, the rescue center started to send Mariesa and Chris adoption requests. From the beginning, the couple knew the puppies would not be with them forever.
A Great Dog Mama
Heading For Their New Homes
Impressively, they managed to find people to adopt the puppies when they got to 10 weeks old. Even though Mariesa and Chris adored the little pups, there were too many for the couple to keep. They did not have a choice and had to put them up for adoption. Obviously, it was really heartbreaking, but they knew they were making the right decision.
Heading For Their New Homes
10 Weeks Old
At 10 weeks old, the puppies were brought home by their respective new owners. However, what was next for Storie? We all know that the puppies are in good hands, but what was in store for their mother? After the dedication she had for her little ones, this tough mom only deserved the best.
10 Weeks Old
Her Forever Home
Storie’s story went around on Facebook and her inspiring story reached a man that fell in love with the dog. Right away, he contacted Mariesa and Chris to make an appointment. He thought of meeting the dog and deciding right away what to do.
Her Forever Home
They All Found Homes!
The man wanted to bring Storie home… at long last, she found her forever home! In fact, she and all of her pups found amazing homes. In addition, she was spayed in order to prevent massive pregnancies in the future. We just hope she will not have to deal with so much stress again.
They All Found Homes!
The Best Dog Mom
In spite of the fact that Storie gave birth to many pups, she made sure to shower each one of them with love and attention. While she was with them, the mama dog was devoted to taking care of all twelve babies. Mariesa and Chris were happy and proud to see Storie doing such a wonderful job. The mama dog nursed and cleaned her puppies and all of them were perfectly healthy. However, the couple just could not keep them.
The Best Dog Mom
If Not For Them
The twelve puppies are now thriving in their respective forever homes. They are doing well and get plenty of love. Storie was with her foster family until all of her puppies got adopted. Clearly, she has strong maternal instincts.
If Not For Them
A Crucial Chance
If Mariesa and Chris did not give Storie a chance, she would have lost all her puppies or had a fate worse than that. It is definitely great that they gave the very pregnant dog in the shelter a chance since they not only positively affected Storie’s life but her puppies’ lives as well!
A Crucial Chance
A Happy Note
Storie’s story may have ended on a good note, but there are many more dogs that will never experience being in their own home. Shelters usually need plenty of help taking care of the animals that they keep. If you feel like you are not capable of taking a dog in, you can still lend a hand in other ways.
A Happy Note
Helping Out
If you are able, you can foster. You can also donate or help spread awareness about shelters and rescue homes. These little things can definitely go a long way in helping out amazing people who work to give a better life to these animals.
Helping Out