Pregnant loyal Lab abandoned with beloved toy gives birth to puppies

A sight that would melt even the frostiest of hearts has left staff at the Sonoma County Animal Services and Dogwood Animal Rescue Project scratching their heads. A beautiful, honey-colored Labrador Retriever, lovingly nicknamed “Amber” by shelter workers, was found abandoned just outside the doors of an animal shelter last week. But Amber wasn’t alone. Curled up beside her, visibly heavy with puppies, was Amber’s most prized possession; a well-worn, mismatched sock puppet.

In the wee dark hours of Wednesday morning, Mama Amber was left tied in front of an animal shelter with her stuffy. She was underweight and very pregnant but was left somewhere she would be safe, and with her stuffy, which suggests a level of concern. We think whoever left her cared, but was truly desperate. Perhaps homeless or without money for food or care.

Dogwood Animal Rescue Project

The moment the vet tech saw the young Labrador retriever whimpering and clutching her sock puppet, it was clear the toy was very special to Amber.

Amber went into labor almost immediately and was comforted and cared for throughout delivery by the shelter staff. Early the next morning, Dogwood Animal Rescue Project arrived and brought her to a foster home well prepared for the mom and her new family.

It had been a rough few days for Amber. For her first 24 hours, she mostly slept in her warm quiet bed. Of course, she was exhausted from being left at the shelter and then immediately going into labor and delivering her six puppies. She was extremely nervous, pacing back and forth and causing her puppies to cry.

She seemed disconnected from her pups, something we’ve seen a few times, where mamas start to fret a few days after the birth. Sort of a post partum anxiety that usually resolves with time, patience, encouragement and feeling safe. By this evening Amber is calm, settled and attentive to her babies again.

Dogwood Animal Rescue Project

Volunteers from the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project still hope to give the dog’s previous owner the benefit of the doubt. Of course, we all know it is illegal and heartless to abandon any pet, and double the disappointment knowing Amber was emaciated and very pregnant, but perhaps the owner was desperate? Maybe he had no other option than to leave his beloved dog somewhere she could be helped? Maybe the previous owner has been following Amber’s plight and now knows that she is safe.

Sadly, one of the puppies passed away, but the other puppies are reported doing fine. As Amber continues to gain weight and her puppies continue to thrive, please follow the organization’s Facebook page for future adoption information.

Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.