There are few things as moving as watching a mother dog meet her newborn puppies. The connection seems to appear instantly, soft and fierce at the same time, and it is the kind of moment people do not forget.
Tanya Dubbs, from Pocahontas, was getting ready for her Great Dane, Namine, to go into labor. She knew a litter was coming, but she had no way of knowing just how surprising those hours would become.
Namine was only two years old, yet she was about to do something so unusual that people far beyond her family would hear about it.
At first, it may have seemed like the puppies would arrive one by one in the usual way. But the count kept climbing, and what was happening began to feel almost impossible.
By the time less than 27 hours had passed, Namine had welcomed 21 puppies into the world.
A Litter That Defied Expectations
Tanya and her family were left in shock as the puppies kept arriving.
While Great Danes are known for their large size, a litter of 12 to 14 puppies wouldn’t have been surprising. But when the number passed 16, the family was stunned.
Finally, after almost 27 hours of labor, Namine had delivered 21 puppies.
Sadly, two of the puppies didn’t survive, but Namine was left with 19 healthy, lively pups. Most of the puppies weighed in at over a pound, though two were slightly smaller, weighing 94 and 98 ounces.
Feeding such a large litter posed its challenges. Tanya made sure to carefully monitor each meal and used bottles to ensure every puppy received the nutrition they needed.
Namine’s litter is among the largest ever seen in the United States, though the world record still belongs to Tia, a Neapolitan Mastiff who gave birth to 24 puppies in one litter.
Overcoming A Life-Threatening Accident
Namine’s remarkable achievement becomes even more impressive when considering her history. Just a year earlier, she faced a near-fatal accident.
One night, Namine and her sister, Malificent, managed to escape their home. Tragically, Namine was struck by a truck, resulting in back injuries and damage to one of her eyes.
“My sweet Namine and Malificent escaped this evening. Malificent came back… Namine has not. I was told that she got hit by a car,” Tanya shared in a heartbreaking post.
Incredibly, just 16 hours later, Namine was found and rushed to the vet. Despite her traumatic experience, she made a full recovery and returned to her playful, happy self.
Surrounded By Love And A Bright Future
Now that the puppies are weaned, Tanya is preparing to find each one a loving forever home.
She plans to donate part of the proceeds to the Tazewell County Animal Shelter in Bluefield, Virginia, as a way of giving back to the community that supported her.
While the puppies will eventually leave, Namine won’t be lonely. She is surrounded by her human family and her dog siblings, thriving in the love that fills her home.
As is typical for many dogs of her breed, Namine has a strong nurturing instinct. She takes her role as a mother seriously and dotes on her pups and any children nearby. Her kind and patient nature shines through every day.
From surviving a devastating accident to becoming the mother of 21, Namine’s story is a testament to resilience and the deep bond between dogs and their families.