Kiki arrived at the Shelter on 25 November 2024, and from the moment she came through the door it was clear she had lived a very hard life before finding safety with us. She had a severe burn across her back that was infected and extremely painful, and she was frightened and unsure of anyone who tried to help her. Not long after her arrival, we discovered she was also pregnant, which made her condition even more concerning.

She received emergency veterinary treatment, including antibiotics, pain relief and daily wound care to help her recover from her injuries. Despite everything she had endured, Kiki showed a gentle side from the beginning, though she was still quite unsure around new people. During her early days, staff spent time with her in our playbarn area where she quietly explored before coming over for treats. Considering her poor condition, she surprised everyone by breaking into a playful burst of chasing toys and tennis balls! Gradually, Kiki also showed a calm, friendly nature when meeting people and eventually, she was completely at ease when she met a number of new people, greeting them as if they were old friends!

On New Year’s Eve, Kiki gave birth to a healthy litter of seven puppies, each one named after a character from Lord of the Rings. Staff caring for her noted how remarkable she was as a mother. During wellness checks, she kept a close eye on her pups but allowed gentle handling, showing complete trust and a calm protective nature. As the weeks passed, her physical wounds healed, her confidence grew and her loving personality began to really shine through. Although she sometimes grew a little bored in our specialist lactating room, she remained an incredibly devoted mother throughout her pregnancy and after her pups arrived.