Mama Pickles had found herself in quite the pickle back in early September when the 2-year-old pit bull was heavily pregnant and wandering the streets alone. Luckily for her, animal control officers were quick to come to her aid, getting her off the streets and locating where she came from. Sadly, when they did find her owners, the animal control officers were surprised to learn that her owners didn’t want her anymore, and were more than happy to leave her at the shelter – how utterly heartbreaking!
Since Mama Pickles was very, very pregnant, she required more specialized care than what the shelter could provide for her. And in another stroke of good luck for the dog, she was taking in by the Pits and Giggles Rescue, a rescue who happens to specialize in caring for both pregnant and nursing mothers plus their babies.
And Mama Pickles, being the sweet dog she is, was more than happy to make friends with her new care providers, covering them with doggie kisses. Despite being so pregnant, she didn’t let her big belly get in her way – even if it was a little hard to move around.
Lauren Casteen Sykes, a volunteer with Pits and Giggles Rescue, told The Dodo, “She is a ‘pit bull in a china shop.’ Mama Pickles is all tail wags and smooshy kisses and must be underfoot and in your space at all times! She is definitely a ‘velcro pitty,’ and certainly has a little bit of mischief in her eyes.”
Sykes also happens to be the owner of Enchanted Hills Photography, and she often volunteers her time and photography skill – taking lots of dogs and puppies pictures at Pits & Giggles Rescue in order to help get them adopted. The minute that Mama Pickles arrived, everyone knew she had to be the subject for a maternity photoshoot— and the results were beyond cute.
“She was so excited she could hardly sit still,” Sykes commented. “She loves affection and treats and was happy to participate! The hardest part was getting her to stay because she loves people SO much!”
As it turns out, the sweet little Mama Pickles had a diva streak in her that she was happy to unleash – and it had everyone involved with the shoot cracking up as Sykes was trying to get Mama Pickles to pose for her pictures. Mama Pickles clearly came to slay – striking the best poses ever, even if her big belly caused her to get a little off balance here and there. But she would just brush it off with her silly personality.
“It was hilarious,” Sykes recalled. “She is ALL belly and a bit clumsy, so getting her posed was not difficult, but getting her to sit still long enough to get a picture was no easy task! Her bows were crooked, falling off and tripping her up — we couldn’t help but laugh, she’s such a cartoon!”
Even with all the silliness and distractions, Sykes managed to get some delightful, as well as stunning pictures of the pregnant mama-to-be. Sykes was so happy that Mama Pickles would soon be getting the love that she deserved.
“She’s quite the model. Her legs are certainly too short for the runway, but she was really loving all the attention and affection,” Sykes said.
Once the photoshoot was finished, there was nothing left to do but wait for the puppies to be born – a wait that wasn’t long at all. Not long after, she gave birth to eight very healthy little girl puppies arrived into this world with Mama Pickles as their proud mother.
After giving the mother and her daughters time to rest, relax, and bond, Sykes got the little family together for a newborn photoshoot. It was only fitting that such a fabulous maternity shoot get an equally wonderful follow-up. No one was more proud than Mama Pickles to proudly pose beside her newborn puppies.
Mama Pickles was proving to be the best mother ever, making sure that her babies were safe and cared for the entire time, and everyone was so impressed by how well both mom and babies did.
Sykes added, “This girly was clearly used repeatedly for breeding and we’re excited to make sure this is her very last litter.”
We are so excited for Mama Pickles and her puppies to find them loving forever homes that they deserve.
