Salem’s life was anything but easy. Unlike many dogs who bask in the affection of being the family’s “favorite four-legged pet,” Salem faced abandonment when her family decided they “didn’t want her anymore.” She found herself taken in by a neighbor in rural Mississippi, uncertain about her future.
Fortunately, a rescue stepped in. Wanting the best for Salem, the neighbor contacted Happy Tails Canine Rescue, a Memphis-based organization. The team quickly embraced this abandoned pup, realizing within days just how genuinely sweet she was. Salem was truly the perfect pet—sweet, gentle, and a wonderful companion. When the rescue announced her availability for adoption on social media, applications flooded in.
Before matching her with an ideal family, the rescue ensured Salem was fully recovered from her arrival injuries. She was severely malnourished, had an injured foot, and parasites, necessitating weeks of treatment.
Eventually, Salem was adopted into an amazing family, quickly leaving her past behind as she began a new chapter. Thanks to HTCR, all her medical expenses were covered, including a spay treatment her new owners planned for her. However, the real shock came!
During the examination, the vet discovered that Salem was beyond the safe point for spaying—she was pregnant!
“When the vet went in to spay her, she found Salem was pregnant and due more than likely in a few days,” the rescue shared on Facebook.
Her new owners and the rescue were taken aback, especially since Salem didn’t seem to have a large belly.
Then Comes Another Surprise
Salem’s case was indeed extraordinary. Her family was thrilled to help Salem nurture her litter until they were ready for adoption. A few days later, Salem’s due date arrived. But soon after, during an X-ray to check the number of puppies, the vet revealed surprising news:
Salem was expecting only ONE puppy! Yes, just one big puppy! The rescue exclaimed, “We asked for an x-ray to get a puppy count…Salem is pregnant with ONE puppy! One miracle puppy,” leaving everyone astonished.
This rare case of a singleton puppy was unexpected. When Salem’s parents later conducted a DNA test to confirm her breed, the results shed light on everything. It turned out that Salem was not the Aussie Shepherd – Border Collie mix they believed she was; she was actually 95% Great Pyrenees! Hence, the giant puppy!
Despite singleton puppy syndrome typically leading to complications, Salem’s puppy, Astrid, was perfectly healthy and ready to receive love from her mother and new family.
For now, Salem and Astrid will remain together as the proud mama nurtures her little one until she’s robust enough for new adventures. “Both Salem and Astrid will be spayed, and baby Astrid will be up for adoption in our rescue,” the rescue noted. Who knows what other surprises Salem’s future might hold for her family?
