When a pregnant golden retriever named Hope was rescued from negligent breeders – no one knew just how many lives had actually been saved.
Hope’s story took a miraculous turn when she gave birth to a huge litter only hours after her rescue.
They just kept coming…
Much to everyone’s surprise, she gave birth to not eight, not 10, nor 12 puppies…
She had a whopping 14!
And she managed to do so safely thanks to Kristin Vesely, president and adoption manager of As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois.
It takes a lot of work.
The bustling activity of caring for more than a dozen lively golden retriever puppies is a task that Kristin Vesely has embraced with open arms.
At eight weeks old, these adorable furballs are gearing up for their next big adventure – finding their forever homes.
While the initial days of caring for puppies are usually straightforward, this time was different for Kristin.
The added responsibility stemmed from the fact that Hope, the mother, had been saved from a large-scale breeder and had given birth to such a large litter.
Some of the newborns faced breathing difficulties, and Kristin had to draw upon her experience to revive them.
This wasn’t Kristin’s first rodeo.
Having delivered seven litters herself, she was no stranger to the challenges and joys of bringing puppies into the world.
Yet, the birth of Hope’s puppies was a unique experience.
The sheer number left Kristin in disbelief, as she excitedly updated her family with each new addition.
She told NBC Chicago:
“I was in shock, texting my family going, ‘We have 12, OMG, we have 13!’ Then I walked away and came back and there were 14. I was in total shock because she can’t feed this many.”
Over her 14-year journey of rescuing golden retrievers, Kristin has encountered various challenges.
With Hope’s litter, she faced the daunting task of saving four newborns.
This meant bottle-feeding them round the clock, sacrificing sleep, and being on constant alert.
Tragically, during a brief two-hour nap, Hope accidentally lay on one of the puppies.
Kristin’s dedication goes beyond just rescuing.
As the president of As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue, she is on a relentless quest to save as many dogs as possible from negligent breeders.
Her mission is not just about rescue but also ensuring these dogs find loving homes and lead fulfilling lives.
A touching reunion took place when Hope, who had already been adopted, met with her puppies after two weeks.
The transition from a breeding dog to a family pet is not always smooth.
These dogs often need a mentor to guide them, to show them the ropes of domestic life, and to reassure them that the world isn’t a scary place.
Hope has a beautiful new friend who’s helping her along the way.
Her new family’s dog, Prescott, played this mentor role perfectly, teaching her basic tasks like walking up and down the stairs, locating food and water, and understanding the routine of a household.
These were experiences Hope had been deprived of, but now, she was learning and thriving.
Each puppy is set to embark on its own journey, moving to their forever homes.
Thank goodness we have kind people on this earth, who go to great lengths to rescue helpless animals.
Watch the video below to learn more about this amazing story!
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