There’s nothing quite like adopting a dog in need. Walking into a shelter and seeing those adorable faces, then bringing one home to live the best life possible alongside you, is truly a remarkable experience. That’s precisely what Haley Houghmaster chose to do.
Upon visiting her local shelter in Memphis, she fell in love with a sweet Australian Shepherd/border collie mix named Salem, and after signing the paperwork, she took the dog home. However, she was unaware that another puppy was hidden nearby.
The Cutest Surprise
After giving her some time to settle in, Houghmaster took Salem to the necessary vet visits, which included a spay appointment. However, during the procedure, the vets were stunned to discover that Salem was heavily pregnant.
“Found out at spay appt that my new rescue dog is pregnant with one puppy,” she shared in a Reddit post.
The vet informed Houghmaster of the situation and offered the option to abort. Considering the risks involved for Salem’s health and the fact that it was only one puppy, she opted to keep it. “We are very excited and praying for a healthy puppy and an uneventful delivery,” she mentioned in an interview.
Just a week after this revelation, Salem gave birth to the cutest little puppy.
Since then, the family has been caring for the little trio, ensuring they have everything they need, from a warm home and nutritious food to all the love imaginable.
Single-Puppy Pregnancy
Single-puppy pregnancy, also known as singleton pregnancy, occurs when a dog is pregnant with only one puppy. Though uncommon, it can happen due to various reasons such as low ovulation counts, where the dog may have released only one viable egg during her heat cycle, or fertilization issues or certain genetic conditions.
There are also risks to consider—these include dystocia, where the single puppy becomes too large for natural delivery, and delayed labor due to insufficient hormonal triggers. Additionally, the absence of littermates can impact the puppy’s social development, making early intervention and socialization from owners essential.
While singleton pregnancy can often be straightforward, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and consult your vet for the best guidance!
