When a brave Labrador named Amber was found tied outside a shelter in California, she was on the verge of giving up. Emaciated, weak, and barely able to lift her head, she had endured unimaginable hardship.
And then came the most heartbreaking sight—Amber had nothing to call her own except for a small teddy bear that she clung to tightly. Seeing her huddled with her fluffy companion left her rescuers deeply moved. But that wasn’t the whole story…
A Girl with the Sweetest Secret
Despite her frail condition, Amber was carrying a litter!
On the very night she was discovered and brought to a California shelter in the Bay Area, she gave birth to six tiny yellow puppies.
“Yellow Lab Mama Amber was left tied to the shelter fence in the middle of the night, very pregnant, and she delivered the next day at the shelter,” the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project (DARP) team shared on Facebook.
Thankfully, the compassionate shelter volunteers stayed by her side, providing comfort and care throughout the entire process, helping Amber feel a little safer.
The next morning, after hearing her story, the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project team from Sonoma County, California, stepped in to take Amber and her puppies under their care.
“Her first 24 hours with us she mostly slept in her warm, quiet bed—no doubt exhausted from being left at the shelter with her stuffy (which makes a good pillow), and from almost immediately going into labor, delivering, and caring for her newborns,” her caregivers shared on Facebook.
She needed time to regain her strength, but even in her fragile state, Amber proved to be a devoted and loving mother.
Finally Warm and Safe
Throughout her journey, Amber remained a vigilant caregiver, ensuring her puppies were safe and well-fed. Tragically, shortly after arriving at the new facility, one of her little ones crossed the rainbow bridge.
Given Amber’s stress levels and her emaciated state, the loss was not unexpected, but it was still a heartbreaking moment for everyone involved.
Both Amber and her caregivers felt an immense void after losing the tiny pup. Yet, they knew they had to press forward—for Amber and her remaining babies.
Within just a few weeks, Amber’s true personality began to shine. She slowly emerged from her shell, revealing her sweet and affectionate nature.
Everyone was captivated by Amber’s loving demeanor—despite being a new mother, she still displayed a puppy-like charm, craving love and eagerly sharing it in return.
Most importantly, her caregivers were overjoyed that Amber and her litter had been given a second chance at life—a fresh start filled with love, warmth, and the care they so desperately needed.
