Dog delivers 14 puppies while owner was on vacation

By Lauren Beavis

A family asked to dog sit while the owner was on vacation was stunned when she gave birth to 14 puppies.

Rhian Boxall, 47, said they were told her brother's pregnant pet Tilly was 'unlikely' to go into labor while he was away for two weeks.

But the three-year-old golden lab unexpectedly gave birth to 14 pups while her owner Meirion Thomas was abroad with his own family.

Rhian, who is from Llanharan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, said: "It’s been a crazy few days!

"Dog sitting turned into a bit more than I expected - it was supposed to be for my brothers two dogs but we had quite a few special early deliveries!"

As her brother was away for two weeks, Rhian explained how her mum and dad had Tilly and Ronald (a 14-year-old pug-cross) from Sunday, Aug.24.

She said: "We knew she was pregnant but told by the vet that she wouldn’t deliver before the third of September.

"They said it was really accurate and reliable for Labradors and their puppies rarely came early.

"My brother was due home on 31 August, so we thought it would be OK!

"They were told that they could see five puppies on the scan but a couple more might be hiding."

Rhian, who works as a marketing manager, described the experience as a "rollercoaster of emotions" - as 14 puppies arrived in three waves over the course of around 15 hours, she explained, although two unfortunately did not survive.

Sadly, two were stillborn.

Rhian explained how one of the first signs that Tilly gave which suggested she was going into labor, was hiding under the bed in spare room scratching the carpet.

She explained: "It was a day or so before she gave birth I started sending some changes.

"Tilly was more clingy than usual and she was also fussier with her food.

"On the Tuesday evening one of the kids found her hiding under the bed in the spare room (not like her).

"In the night I heard her bark and howl, so I went down to her and ended up sleeping on the sofa from 3am to be close to her just in case.

"She was fine in the morning so I went into the office, but my husband Steve was working from home so kept a close watch.

"She went again under the bed in the spare room but this time started scraping the carpet and trying to dig.

"Steve sent me and then my brother a video - and we knew this was another sign that things were starting and she wanted to nest.

"My brother told Steve to set up the pen so that she could nest (just in case).

"I was on-edge and desperate to get home but wanted to join a meeting first so hoped she’d wait - Steve seemed fairly relaxed and nothing was happening.

"I got home around 3:30pm and Steve was playing classical music (definitely not something he’d do) as he had read it was relaxing for them."

Rhian explained that both she and Steve were sat at the kitchen table with their laptops on - facing the pen watching Tilly.

She said: "She kept coming back and forward to us for comfort, and after a while we could tell things were progressing as she was becoming more agitated.

"We knew she wasn’t going to wait for my brother to return from holidays!"

Rhian and Steve set up a pen with sheets, towels and blankets - covered by a layer of newspaper (as they knew it would get messy.

She described Tilly as "very restless" - as she started ripping up newspaper and shredding the sheets with her teeth.

Rhian said: "She continued this behavior until finally the first puppy was born at 6:10pm.

"This was just after my mum had arrived at our house to drop off our kids (she was looking after them in the day)."

14 puppies then arrived in three waves over the course of around 15 hours.

Unfortunately, it was not all positive for the family - as two puppies did not make it - which "devastated" Rhian.

She said: "I was so upset during these times (it was the fourth and 13th puppies) - but they were stillborn so nothing we could have done.

"Apart from that I’m happy with the outcome."

Rhian explained that her brother "was absolutely gutted" to not be there during Tilly's labor.

She said: "He loves Tilly so much and was devastated not to be there with her.

"He genuinely believed that there was no chance this would happen so early.

"He is really thankful and grateful of what we did and how we supported Tilly through this and says we did a great job."

Rhian added: "Although it’s definitely not what I expected and not something I would opt to do, I went through an amazing experience with highs and lows.

"I missed our dog when I was a teenager giving birth so always felt I’d missed out, but this time I had front row seats and got very involved helping Tilly.

"It was lovely for our kids to also experience this. We now have such a close bond with Tilly and her pups.

"We were unsure in the build up if we were going to adopt a puppy but this made our decision quite straightforward.

"The kids are delighted that we’ve decided to have a puppy and are excited telling their friends."