A golden shepherd mix has gone viral on TikTok for proudly presenting her newborn puppies to her owner in a heartwarming display of canine affection and maternal pride.
In a video shared by her owner Sabrina (@sabsaylor) on June 20, the radiant black dog is seen sitting with her mouth open wide—appearing to grin with joy. Since being posted, the touching clip has racked up more than 1.1 million views, capturing the hearts of dog lovers across the platform.
From behind the camera, Sabrina, 31, can be heard prompting her pet: "Where are your babies?" and encouraging her to "show" them off. Without hesitation, the new mom springs into action, trotting through the house and into a gated room. There, she gently places her head into a laundry basket where all 11 of her puppies are cozily snuggled up and resting.
Text overlaid on the video calls the dog "so proud," while the caption reveals Sabrina is equally emotional—declaring herself a "proud grandma." The sweet exchange between canine and owner has sparked a wave of emotional responses from viewers.
One commenter wrote, "The way she looks at you after uncovering her babies," while another posted: "She was like girl, I just need a minute of me time—I have 11 damn kids."
The Critical Early Weeks for Newborn Puppies
While the video provides a charming snapshot of early motherhood, it also highlights the incredibly important stage of life these puppies are in. The American Kennel Club says that newborn puppies enter the world completely helpless. They are unable to see, hear, or walk, and rely entirely on their mother during the first few weeks—known as the neonatal period.
During this time, puppies spend approximately 90 percent of their day sleeping and the remaining 10 percent nursing. Their mother not only nourishes them but also helps stimulate waste elimination and keeps them warm and safe.
Around the third or fourth week, the puppies begin transitioning to solid food, and their reliance on nursing gradually decreases. This transition is not only nutritional but also developmental, as they start taking their first steps and becoming more mobile. The once-helpless newborns begin exploring their environment, playing with littermates, and learning essential behaviors.
The weaning stage is crucial for their behavioral development. Puppies learn social cues, communication skills, and boundaries from both their mother and siblings. Interrupting this process too early can lead to challenges as they grow into adulthood.
It is equally important that the mother is given time to adjust. As her puppies become more independent, she naturally begins stepping back from direct caregiving, encouraging her litter to rely more on themselves and their surroundings.
By the time they reach 8 weeks of age, most puppies are ready to transition to new homes. While the initial separation may cause some stress, with love, patience, and early socialization, puppies can adapt quickly and continue their path toward becoming well-adjusted adult dogs.
Newsweek reached out to @sabsaylor for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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