Mama Pickles, a cute pit bull, was found alone on the street in early September. Her rescuers knew she needed aid immediately away because she was pregnant.
Animal control officers plucked her off the street to investigate her origins. They managed to reach her owners, but they informed them that Pickles had been abandoned.
The pitbull’s labor was approaching, and her big tummy required more support than the shelter could provide. Luckily, Pits & Giggles Rescue stepped in, a non-profit group dedicated to pregnant dogs and their pups.
In spite of her large tummy, Mama Pickles jumped when she met her new rescue pals.
“They specialize in mother rescues and care,” said Pits & Giggles Rescue volunteer and photographer Lauren Casteen Sykes. They save pregnant or nursing mothers from shelters and help them safely deliver or rear their puppies.
Mothers and their puppies are spayed or neutered before adoption, and the best possible home is chosen for them. Photographing these mothers and their pups helps them get adopted.”
Lauren works for Enchanted Hills Photography and volunteers at Pits & Giggles Rescue. They wanted to take images to record those beautiful moments when Pits & Giggles called me to say they had just brought in a tremendously pleased and happy mom.
Lauren knew she had to do a maternity photoshoot as soon as Pickles arrived, and the result is wonderful.
Mama Pickles’ diva-like poses wowed everyone. A weird thing happened when her large tummy got in the way. “She’s a model.
Her legs were too short for the catwalk, but she enjoyed the attention. Getting her to stop licking us was difficult. She longed to be stroked and rubbed. She couldn’t sit still from excitement.
The most pleasant part was seeing Pickles wag her tail and poke out her tongue. Pits & Giggles saved this sweet mama.
Mama Pickles soon gave birth to eight beautiful, healthy female puppies. We had to perform another photoshoot with them. Pickles looked even more proud of her new babies. Her caregivers believe she is a good mother who raises her children well.
This is her last litter, and we are pleased to report it is her last. Mama Pickles and her 8 puppies will be ready for adoption in a few months. So they live at the rescue facility where Lauren has volunteered for two years:
“We have had foster dogs and adopted them as well as done picture shoots. My husband Brad and I adopted Remington Rose three years ago. We improved his life and wanted to help other dogs.”
