There’s truly nothing more heartwarming than giving a shelter dog a second chance.
Walking into a shelter, seeing all the hopeful faces, and choosing one to take home is a life-changing moment for both the human and the pup.
That’s exactly what Haley Houghmaster set out to do.
After visiting a local shelter in Memphis, Tennessee, she immediately bonded with Salem, a sweet Australian Shepherd and border collie mix.
Haley only planned to adopt one dog. She filled out the paperwork, brought Salem home, and began helping her settle into her new life.
But as it turned out, Salem didn’t come alone.
A New Life And A Growing Family
As Salem started adjusting to her new home, Haley made the usual vet appointments, including scheduling a routine spay procedure.
But during surgery, the veterinary team made a startling discovery. Just after making the first incision, they realized Salem wasn’t just a rescue—she was also an expectant mom.
“Found out at spay appt [appointment] that my new rescue dog is pregnant with one puppy,” she later shared in a Reddit post.
Faced with an unexpected decision, Haley followed the advice of her vet. Since terminating the pregnancy carried risks and Salem was only carrying a single pup, Haley chose to continue.
“We are very excited and praying for a healthy puppy and an uneventful delivery,” Houghmaster said in an interview.
One week later, Salem delivered a single, healthy puppy.
From that day on, Haley and her family showered both Salem and her little one with love, making sure they had everything they needed—from a safe home to endless affection.
Both mom and pup are now thriving together.
What To Know About Single-Puppy Pregnancies
What started as a one-dog adoption turned into an unexpected blessing and the beginning of a beautiful new bond between three family members.
Also known as singleton pregnancies, these rare cases occur when a dog carries only one pup.
While unusual, they can happen for several reasons, including low ovulation during a heat cycle, fertilization issues, or specific genetic conditions.
However, there are unique risks involved.
These may include dystocia, where the puppy grows too large to be delivered naturally, or delayed labor caused by a lack of hormonal triggers.
In addition, singleton pups sometimes face social development challenges, since they don’t have siblings to interact with during those crucial early weeks.
That’s why owners of singleton puppies should be prepared to provide extra support and early socialization to ensure their little one thrives.
Most importantly, veterinarians should always be consulted to guide the safest and healthiest path forward for both the mother and the pup.