A pooch in Ireland has given birth to one of the largest ever litters.
Labrador/Collie cross, Bella, welcomed 16 pups this summer, after a vet appointment - in which she was booked in to be neutered - was cancelled due to coronavirus.
Despite the efforts of owner Mary Killing, to keep Bella and the pups' dad - Irish Setter/English Spaniel cross, Archie - apart, the pair struck up a doggy romance and Bella ended up pregnant.
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And she ended up giving birth to one of the largest ever litters - 16 puppies!
Just look at them, so cute...
Mary, from Crecora in Limerick, said: "The neutering appointment was cancelled during lockdown as it was not considered urgent.
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"We tried keeping Bella and Archie apart, we tried nappies, Vick's VapoRub and we separated them for a couple of days. It wasn't to be though."
Bella went into labour late on 25th July, with the final pup arriving in the early hours of the 26th. The family welcomed eight girls and eight boys, but sadly one passed away during birth.
"I was in absolute shock. The vet had told us she was going to have eight to 10 puppies," said Mary.
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"So having 15 was quite phenomenal. It's a record I think. We had to get a suitcase the following morning to put them into to count them as they were wriggling all over the place.
"It was just phenomenal. We were in awe."
The family are keeping one of the litter, first-born Walter, who was given his name by 11-year-old Isaac. Isaac chose the name after Where's Wally, simply because the cheeky pup loves to play hide and seek!
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The remaining 14 pups are going to family and friends and Mary has not asked for any payment - she simply asks that the dogs are loved and treated like one of the family.
The adorable puppies will be going to their forever homes this weekend - we hope they settle in well and get all the doggy cuddles they deserve!
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: Life News, Cute, Animals, Dogs