Few emotions in the world rival the unconditional love a mother feels for her children. The moment a mom gazes into the eyes of her newborns is indescribable, filled with a surge of instinctive emotion!
When Kela, a Great Dane mix, birthed her ten puppies at Jackson County Animal Shelter in Jackson, Michigan, it was an uplifting sight. Although she immediately showed her nurturing instincts as a mom, nobody realized how much love she had to offer beyond those ten pups!
One day, while she was in the shelter, Kela heard a little one crying in the hallway and instinctively rushed to adopt what turned out to be her 11th baby.
Kela Had 10 Healthy Puppies Under The Shelter’s Care
This remarkable dog came from the Van Buren County shelter in Michigan, initially described as timid and selective. To help her re-socialize, the staff kept her by the front office.
During Kela’s first days at the shelter, caregivers noticed she was cramped in a small pool meant for her and her puppies. They quickly reached out to the community for assistance.
In just a short time, kindhearted individuals provided Kela with a larger pool, and the following day, she welcomed ten healthy puppies!
Kela quickly became a devoted mother, tending to and cleaning her pups right after they were born.
Despite doubts from shelter staff regarding her ability to bond further, Kela proved them wrong. Even after welcoming her own puppies, she felt an undeniable urge to help an abandoned baby.
Kela’s previously timid nature evaporated!
Gravitational Pull Towards A Motherless Kitten
When a little kitten was brought into the shelter, Kela was seated on the other side of the door. As soon as she heard the kitten’s cries, she started scratching at the floor anxiously, according to Lydia Sattler, the director of JCAS shelter.
When the staff opened the door, Kela dashed over to the kitten, sniffing and nursing it. Her maternal instincts were clear; she needed to care for this crying baby just like she did for her own puppies.
Keeping a watchful eye on the kitten, the staff decided to conduct a small test. They placed the little kitten in Kela’s pool, and as expected, Kela returned, laid down, and began to clean her.
Kela had an immediate bond with the kitten, embracing her as one of her own, despite their stark differences.
To everyone’s amazement, Kela continuously provided maternal love and care for the abandoned kitten, and neither of them wished to be apart.
The Whole Family In A Foster Home
A few days later, the shelter staff arranged to move Kela and her puppies to a foster home. After finding the perfect temporary home for this lovely family, they settled in, with the kitten joining them as well!
“Kela finally chose her foster home (she was quite selective)! After turning down several great offers, she, along with her puppies and kitten, are settling into their own little paradise!”
Goodbye, Little Feline Sister
Tragically, everything was going smoothly until one day, less than a month after her arrival, the little kitten passed away due to a potential genetic condition.
Devastated, the staff believed that the kitten’s abandonment was due to a maternal instinct common among cats; mothers often know when something is amiss with their babies.
“Kela loved and cared for her as if she were her own, and we couldn’t have asked for a better caregiver,” they remarked.
We take comfort in knowing that the kitten experienced true motherly love, albeit for a brief time.
Now, Kela and her puppy siblings will need time to acclimate to life without their feline sister, as she holds a special place in everyone’s hearts.
Rest in peace, dear little kitten. As for Kela and her puppies, we wish them endless joy and the perfect forever home soon!
