Living with dogs teaches you to expect surprises. When a pup suddenly acts differently, the cause might be harmless or it might be serious, so it helps to pay attention and check things out quickly.
Sometimes the answer is amusing, like a dog hiding after a small mess. For Joie-May and her boyfriend, Michael, the truth was far more startling, and it unfolded before they had time to prepare.
A Simple Adoption With A Secret
Joie-May and Michael were thrilled to adopt Scottie from a shelter in California. They imagined a calm transition, giving her time to decompress and learn that she was finally safe.
Before the adoption was finalized, shelter staff explained that Scottie had not been spayed yet and would need to return for the procedure. The couple agreed, completed the paperwork, and brought her home to begin her new life.
Once Scottie settled in, they contacted the shelter to set up the spay appointment. With staff overwhelmed, the surgery date kept getting delayed.
Worried Scottie could go into heat, they booked a precautionary exam with a local veterinarian.
The vet examined Scottie and said everything looked normal. Even so, Joie-May and Michael could not shake the feeling that something was off.
In the weeks that followed, Scottie showed signs that resembled heat, but the timing and symptoms did not seem quite right. The shelter still had not confirmed a surgery date, and the uncertainty made them anxious.
Then the truth arrived all at once. Scottie was not just unspayed, she was pregnant.
Before the couple could gather supplies or make a plan, Scottie gave birth to three puppies on their couch.
A Family Grows Overnight
Caught completely off guard, Joie-May and Michael scrambled to collect what Scottie and the puppies needed to stay warm and secure. They set up bedding, kept the lights low, and tried to create a peaceful corner where Scottie could focus on her newborns.
Sadly, one puppy, whom they named Ghost, struggled in the first few days. Despite their efforts, Ghost did not survive, and the loss hit hard.
They focused on caring for the two remaining puppies. Pig had trouble gaining weight and became their main concern, while his sister, Gray, thrived and grew steadily from the start.
When Joie-May and Michael told the shelter about the surprise litter, the response disappointed them. Staff told them they “should have known” she was pregnant.
Even without help, the couple stayed committed to Scottie and her babies. They hoped the shelter might offer support later, but they were prepared to continue on their own, learning as they went and adjusting their routine around feedings and check-ins.
Eventually, they found a loving home for one of the puppies. The other stayed with them and became a permanent part of their household, alongside Scottie.
What began as a routine adoption quickly turned into an intense, unexpected responsibility. Scottie went from shelter dog to mother overnight, and Joie-May and Michael became puppy parents in an instant.
Through the stress and sleepless moments, they also watched Scottie’s confidence grow as she cared for her pups. In the end, the surprise brought their family closer than they ever expected.
