Dog Confused After She Gives Birth To Unusual Pups


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Rosie, a pregnant golden retriever mix, was adopted by two dog-loving foster parents in late 2017. They were expecting a large litter of fluffy, golden puppies, but what they got was a litter that was nothing like what they had imagined. The internet was thrown into a frenzy by these strangely colored puppies. Rosie gave birth to these puppies in a unique way. And, after they were raised, what happened to these puppies? Learn about Rosie and her unexpected litter in this charming story.

Meet Rosie

Rosie, a golden retriever mix, was disowned by her previous owners in October 2017. She was dumped in a shelter, clearly pregnant and on the verge of giving birth. The manager of the shelter was concerned about her health and the fact that she would give birth without help. Although euthanasia policies have been drastically reduced, most shelters are overcrowded with dogs and lack the resources to care for a new litter. Rosie was in desperate need of loving owners now more than ever.

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Meet Rosie

Meet Rosie

She Was Rescued 

The shelter’s manager contacted Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based organization that helps dogs find homes. Rosie’s rescuers had to work quickly to get her settled before she gave birth. The Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue and Rehabilitation Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of golden retrievers. Volunteers care for stray or abandoned dogs until they are fit to be adopted. Rosie was fortunate in that one of the organization’s members knew a couple who could cater to her specific needs.

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She Was Rescued

She Was Rescued

Help Was Near

The morning after the call, a Neuse volunteer picked Rosie up from the shelter. Rosie appeared to be on the verge of giving birth at this point, and the volunteer was concerned that she would go into labor on the way to the Raleigh Vet Clinic. Rosie was checked into the clinic by the volunteer, and vets determined that she was healthy. The next step for the rescuer was to find Rosie a foster family who could help her with her birth.

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Help Was Near

Help Was Near

John And Katie Black

Since 2009, Katie and John Black have fostered more than 20 dogs and have three of their own: Annie, Leroy, and Winchester. The volunteer was confident that John and Katie had the necessary experience to care for Rosie and her puppies. Rosie was welcomed with excitement by the couple, who had worked with Neuse River for years. On October 28, 2017, five days after Rosie was dropped off at the shelter, they brought her home.

AdvertisementsJohn And Katie Black

John And Katie Black

Rosie Loved Being With Them

Rosie was picked up by the Blacks only five days after she was dropped off at the shelter. “This is our new foster, Rosie,” the Blacks said on Instagram, “who is very preggers and close to delivering her puppies.” Rosie appeared shy and scared, but was otherwise very sweet, according to the couple. When the time came, Katie and John Black assisted Rosie in giving birth successfully. Rosie’s four healthy puppies were introduced to them, along with a surprise that captivated the internet.

Rosie Loved Being With Them

She Gave Birth

Rosie’s puppies were delivered with the assistance of John and Kate. Despite the difficulties, both the mother and the puppies managed to survive. All of the puppies were the right size and weight for her breed…or at least for the breed that everyone assumed Rosie belonged to. Because Rosie appeared to be so large, the couple anticipated a large litter. Rosie only had four puppies, even though most litters have five or six puppies. But the Blacks weren’t the only ones who were taken aback.

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She Gave Birth

She Gave Birth

Not What They Were Expecting

Katie said, “Our foster dog, a Golden mix, gave birth yesterday…  To baby cows.” The four puppies had black spots and didn’t look anything like their mother. The father was clearly not a Golden Retriever, even though no one knows what breed he was. Daisy, Clarabelle, Betsy, and Moo were the names given to the newborn puppies by the Blacks. The Blacks’ family, as well as the internet, made jokes about the family photos. In November 2017, Katie told the Press Association, “My dad laughed for quite a while at the photos.”

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Not What They Were Expecting

Not What They Were Expecting

Who The Father Might Be

Because several dog breeds have white fur with black spots, determining the father’s breed can be difficult. He, like Rosie, could have been a mash-up. However, this hasn’t stopped internet users from guessing what breed Rosie mated with. Dalmatian, English setter, bluetick coonhound, and wetterhoun are some of the theories. Only dalmatians, however, have a true “spot” design. Every other fur pattern consists of “ticking,” which consists of small, isolated areas of tiny dots. As a result, a dalmatian is a likely candidate.

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Who The Father Might Be

Who The Father Might Be

Spotted Pups

Katie said her father was so taken with the mismatch that he suggested posting it online. Katie agreed to post photos to Reddit after he joked that the photos would go viral. Father Black was correct: the new mom blew up the internet. In the photo, Rosie appears to be as perplexed just like the Reddit users. Over 90,000 people liked the photo, and 1,600 people left comments inquiring about the new family. When the Blacks posted on Instagram, their popularity skyrocketed.

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Spotted Pups

Just Like Their Dad

According to the Nest, puppies inherit certain characteristics based on the genes carried by their parents. “Dominant genes always outrank recessive genes,” according to the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, which determines a dog’s appearance. Rosie most likely passed down recessive genes, while her father provided dominant genes. By chance, all of her puppies inherited the father’s physical characteristics. However, the explanation doesn’t make the pair any less amusing.

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Just Like Their Dad

Just Like Their Dad

The Internet Loved Them

Redditors flocked to the cow puppies and their mother, a visibly surprised Golden Retriever. Rosie’s expression was translated as best as users could. “I believe there’s been a mixpup here,” one Redditor quipped. Others commented that she appeared to be mentally defending her puppies. Rosie’s face, according to one user, said, “so what?!?! is that really such a big deal? are you sooo closed minded? really Karen?”

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The Internet Loved Them

The Internet Loved Them

Defending Herself

Some users were concerned that Kate and John had purposefully bred two foster rescues, despite the positive attention. Kate clarified that Rosie was already pregnant when she arrived. “We weren’t going to abort her puppies,” she commented. “She will be spayed immediately when she can be.” Because John and Kate already had three rescue dogs, they planned to adopt Rosie and her litter as soon as they were healthy. They wouldn’t have to wait long, but they would have to put in some effort.

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Defending Herself

Defending Herself

Rosie Wasn’t Doing Good

Rosie was in poor health after the birth, even though it was a success. The Blacks discovered Rosie had an infection after the delivery. They took her to the veterinarian, who prescribed antibiotics for a few weeks. Rosie most likely had Metritis, a bacterial infection in the uterus that occurs after a difficult birth. Rosie’s milk production may be reduced as a result of the symptoms, and she may be unable to care for her puppies. She was fortunate to have Kate and John by her side.

Rosie Wasn’t Doing Good

Rosie Wasn’t Doing Good

They Helped Rosie Heal

The Blacks assisted Rosie by bottle-feeding the puppies while she was recovering. They were completely enamored with each puppy, especially when they were holding them. Even though they knew they wouldn’t be able to keep them, John and Kate treated the puppies as if they were their own. Rosie, thankfully, recovered quickly. She eventually took overfeeding her puppies and went back to being a happy, healthy mother. Her puppies grew up with few issues as well.

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They Helped Rosie Heal

They Helped Rosie Heal

A Good Mom

While social media users pondered the strange relationship, Rosie appeared unconcerned. For weeks, she remained protective of her pups and cuddled next to them. Moo, Betsy, Daisy, and Clarabelle were all healthy as children. “She is one proud mama,” Kate explained. Rosie, according to Instagram, would follow her dogs wherever they went. Rosie jumped in after Kate moved the puppies to clean sheets in a laundry basket.

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A Good Mom

A Good Mom

Not Uncommon

Puppies that look different from their parents or littermates are common in dogs, according to the authors of Pets4Homes, especially in mixed breeds. “When it comes to non-pedigree dogs…there is a lot more scope for variance, to the point that color and other manifestations of physical appearance can be quite variable within the same litter.” Onlookers are mesmerized by the fact that all of Rosie’s puppies resemble cows, and none of them resembled dogs at first. They grew into their dog forms as they grew older.

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Not Uncommon

Not Uncommon

They Are In Good Paws

Kate and John not only took excellent care of the puppies, but they also kept the family’s most ardent supporters informed. They kept their Instagram page updated regularly so that everyone could keep track of the cow puppies’ development. Rosie’s puppies were always around her, sleeping on her paws. Clarabelle showed her true colors early on, according to the Blacks, by being the loudest of the puppies. The personalities of the mini-cows emerged as they grew.

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They Are In Good Paws

They Are In Good Paws

Growing Bigger And Bigger

The pups had only been alive for a few weeks when they celebrated their birthday in early December 2017. Even at that age, they had developed distinct personalities. Kate posted a photo of the cow puppies on Instagram on December 6th. “Daisy is a sweetheart, but a little anxious/shy/hesitant/fearful. Clarabelle is a hilarious, fearless spitfire. Moo is a snuggly baby that likes to be held, and cries when he wants attention. [Betsy is] the sweetest and most gentle puppy, I want to keep her!”

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Growing Bigger And Bigger

Growing Bigger And Bigger

The Pups Were Separated

Betsy and Clarabelle were adopted by two different families in the first week of January 2018. The Blacks were sad to see them go, but they made sure that each cow pup got the love and attention they deserved. Daisy was also adopted and given the name Lily by her new family. Moo was given a new home and a new name, Barkley, later on. Moo has his own Instagram account, as do his new siblings Max, Mo, and Abby.

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The Pups Were Separated

The Pups Were Separated


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