Couple stunned when vet said their Pit Bull wasn’t overweight but pregnant — yet 2.5 days of labor brought a bigger surprise they weren’t prepared for

The owner reflected that once a neglected shelter dog facing euthanasia had grown into a healthy and thriving mother.

PUBLISHED 4 DAYS AGO

(L) A woman with her pet at the vet clinic. (R) A couple kissing their pitbull dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Capuski, (R) Vera Vita)

Fostering animals can sometimes lead to unexpected and life-changing experiences. Jesse and his wife, Tara, agreed to foster a Pit Bull named Kaya, who was scheduled to be euthanized at a kill shelter. At first glance, Kaya’s condition was heartbreaking; she was so thin that every rib showed. Jesse, determined to help, began feeding Kaya more, thinking she was simply underweight. But as days passed, Kaya started gaining sudden weight around her belly, then something unexpected happened, leaving Jesse and Tara in complete shock.

A dog at the vet clinic. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by gilaxia) — A dog at the vet clinic. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | gilaxia)

As reported by iHeartDogs, Kaya’s foster parents quickly realized that their growing concern over her weight gain was not due to overfeeding when they took Kaya to the vet for a check-up. "Turns out she was pregnant," Jesse said in a YouTube video shared by The Dodo. At that point, Jesse and Tara assumed that Kaya would give birth to a normal-sized litter, likely around seven or eight puppies. Little did they know, this was only the beginning of a surprising and emotional journey.

A couple with a pitbull dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Aleksandar Jankovic) — A couple with a pitbull dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Aleksandar Jankovic)

When Kaya went into labor early one morning, the couple expected a relatively quick process, perhaps a full day of labor and a typical-sized litter. However, as the hours stretched on, they soon realized they had underestimated the situation. “We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” Jesse shared. “No one had any idea that she was pregnant.” What followed was a two-and-a-half-day labor, an exhausting and emotional experience for the couple. By the time Kaya had finished, she had given birth to an astonishing 16 puppies.

via GIPHY

The couple couldn’t believe their eyes. “She was very calm and relaxed, so we figured she was done,” Jesse explained. “We got 15 puppies, this has got to be it.” But just as they began to breathe a sigh of relief, Kaya’s heavy panting returned, and to their amazement, the 16th puppy arrived. Sadly, two of the puppies were stillborn, but the rest of the litter was healthy and thriving. Kaya, a then proud mother, began to teach her puppies how to play and even helped them with exercise. She guided them in digging holes in the yard, ensuring they were active and well-cared for.

As the weeks passed, Kaya’s puppies grew stronger, and at nine weeks old, each of them was adopted into their forever homes. Despite their initial shock and the overwhelming nature of the experience, Jesse and Tara formed a deep bond with Kaya and her puppies. “I never thought I would get emotional,” Jesse admitted, “but it was very difficult.” Reflecting on their journey, Jesse noted how Kaya had gone from being a neglected shelter dog to a loving, doting mother. “She was slated to be euthanized, but now she’s better and thriving,” he said.