Sunshine Dog Rescue, an organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, saved a pregnant Australian Shepherd mix at a gas station in the U.S/Mexico border. They named her Georgia, but her rescuers’ hope to give her a new life turned a different direction when the mommy-to-be went into premature labor. Unfortunately, not one of her puppies made it.
According to Anita Osa, the founder of Sunshine Dog Rescue, it was apparent that Georgia felt devastated when her babies died. She had never witnessed a mom dog lose an entire litter before and described that Georgia was frantic when it happened. The scene was nothing but sad, as the dog was looking for her puppies—she even tore up the toddler mattress she was sleeping on.
To comfort the grieving mother, they tried to give her a stuffed puppy with a heartbeat. This only worked and calmed her at first, but she was still obviously struggling. So Osa reached out for a call searching for animals who might need a lactating mother dog, and three newly orphaned kittens were brought to her attention.
There was uncertainty whether Georgia would be accommodating to the kittens and vice versa—after all, the context about how dogs and cats do not get along has always been known has always been known. So Osa slowly introduced one of them to her at first.
When brought near her, Georgia sniffed the kitten and seemed to take to it. This was Osa’s cue to bring out the others. She said that it was amazing how the lonely mother calmed down.
Perhaps their longing for a mother made the kittens not realize that Georgia is a dog. It was a win-win situation for everyone.
With their newfound roles for one another, and with the support system that their rescuers have provided for them, mother and foster babies acclimated beautifully with each other. Georgia is taking on her role wonderfully as the adopted mother to the kittens, allowing them to nurse, snuggling with them, and even cleaning them up.
Osa said it was a delightful scene to witness, as Georgia watches over the kittens as if they were her own.
This story just proves that a mother’s love is exceptional and doesn’t discriminate whether you’re of the same kind or not.
Source: Sunshine Dog Rescue / Facebook
