“Sisters act as a safety net in a tumultuous world just by being present for one another.” – Carol Saline.
She was her safety net, a comforting shoulder to lean on.
When the owner relinquished Erica and Diamond, two Pitbull sisters, to a shelter in New York, everything shifted for these dogs. Unfortunately, it was not for the better.
With the owner unable to care for the pregnant Erica and her future pups, she decided to surrender her to the shelter.
Upon her arrival, Erica was quickly taken in by Twenty Paws Rescue due to her condition.
What the organization soon discovered was that wherever Erica went, her sister would follow.
My Sister Is My Safe Harbor
Erica was anxious. It was clear they were unsure how to help her. Initially, Erica appeared to be fine at the shelter. Then, suddenly, her demeanor shifted. This soon-to-be mother was getting stressed even before the onset of labor.
Something was amiss.
That’s when Twenty Paws Rescue realized there was a crucial element missing from Erica’s life: her sister, Diamond.
They swiftly brought Diamond to Erica, as the separation was equally distressing for her as well.
As soon as the two sisters reunited, the anxiety dissipated, and joy returned.
Just two days later, Erica began her labor. It was as if she had been waiting for her sister to bring her puppies into the world.
The process was challenging, especially since she had to deliver 14 puppies. Thankfully, Diamond was by Erica’s side every step of the way, providing the support only a sister can give.
Fourteen puppies entered the world, with only eleven of them surviving. Diamond stood by her sister not only through the heartaches but also during the demanding task of raising the pups.
We Got This Together
Giving birth is incredibly tiring for dogs. In fact, it completely drains them!
As soon as the puppies are delivered, they need to be licked clean and nursed, and this is just the beginning since newborn pups are always hungry.
The rescue team was prepared with bottles for feeding in case Erica needed extra help. However, to everyone’s astonishment, bottles were unnecessary.
In a remarkable act of sisterhood, Diamond began lactating and took on the role of nursing the puppies! The two sisters worked together to raise the litter; they weren’t only Erica’s puppies, but also Diamond’s.
“When we saw that Erica was getting overwhelmingly tired and needed a break, and Diamond had started lactating, we swapped them out, and Diamond instinctively took on the role of Mama Bear. She loved them, groomed them, fed them, and showed immense patience. From that point on, they fed and groomed them together,” said Rachel from Twenty Paws Rescue in an interview.
As the saying goes: it takes a village to raise a child.
In this situation, it took two Pitbull sisters to raise a large litter of 11 together.
Erica and Diamond persevered and successfully raised the entire litter side by side.
The puppies thrived, and soon it was time to wean them and find them homes. Fortunately, every single pup found their forever family immediately, and not one was left waiting.
However, who is still waiting at their foster home in New York? Erica and Diamond.
The two Pittie sisters are still seeking their ideal home—one where they won’t be separated.
The incredible bond between Erica and Diamond is truly inspiring. There is so much we can learn from animals, particularly dogs. Witnessing a sister dog nurture puppies as if they were her own is among the purest displays of love in the canine world.
A mother isn’t solely defined by giving birth; a mother also embodies the role of nurturing her offspring. Diamond may not be the biological mother, but she is undoubtedly a mother at heart and an exceptional sister!
@adoptapet PLEASE SHARE: this remarkable rescue story hasn’t had its happy ending yet. Erica and Diamond are available for adoption from @Twenty Paws Rescue – head to the link in bio for their adoption profiles! #rescuedogsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #adoptdontshop #availableforadoption ♬ Stories 2 – Danilo Stankovic
