Not long ago, we got a big surprise — Malla ended up pregnant. It definitely wasn’t planned. We had been careful and did everything we could to keep the dogs separated, but somehow the Chewy still managed to get to her.

After the initial shock, our focus was simple: make sure Malla stayed healthy and comfortable.

And eventually, she gave us two tiny baby girls.

The Night the Puppies Arrived

The puppies actually arrived earlier than anyone expected. The vet estimated we still had about three more weeks, and even ChatGPT predicted about one more week.

But Malla had her own timeline.

Around 2:00 AM, she started pacing around the house. That’s when I knew something was happening. I quickly finished setting up the area I had prepared for her so she could have a safe and quiet place to deliver.

Soon she started panting, and then the contractions began about five minutes apart.

Things moved quickly after that.

Before long, she was pushing about once every minute.

At 4:40 AM, the first puppy arrived.

Malla did everything exactly the way nature intended. She broke open the sack and ate it, but for a moment she seemed a little unsure and stepped away from the puppy.

Then the puppy cried.

Malla cried too and immediately went back to her. She began licking and cleaning the puppy, and then she ate the placenta.

About 40 minutes later, the second puppy arrived.

This time Malla knew exactly what to do. She broke the sack, cleaned the puppy, and took care of the placenta. Soon both puppies were nursing, and everything finally settled down.

Just like that, Malla became a mom.

A Natural Mama

Since that night, Malla has been an amazing mother. Everything seemed to come naturally to her.

At first, she stayed with the puppies almost all the time, only taking short breaks before returning to them. As the days passed and the puppies started sleeping more deeply, she began leaving them for a little longer.

Sometimes she even lays just outside their area, watching them while they sleep.

She always keeps an eye on them.

Chewy Knew Something Was Happening

For the first couple of days, Malla was protective when it came to Chewy. We only brought him around the puppies for short visits.

The funny thing is that Chewy actually seemed to know something was happening the night Malla went into labor. We had him in another room during the delivery, but he kept crying and trying to get to her the entire time.

After a few days, Malla seemed to realize he wasn’t a threat. Chewy honestly doesn’t seem too interested in the puppies, and once she saw that, she relaxed a lot around him.

Two Weeks Later

The puppies are now about two weeks old.

Their eyes still haven’t opened yet, which is normal. Newborn puppies are born with their eyes closed and usually open them around 10–14 days.

One puppy is gaining a little more weight than the other, but they are both growing and getting bigger every day.

Malla continues to take great care of them — including doing the less glamorous parts of motherhood like cleaning up after them.

Watching her step into motherhood so naturally has been really special.

Even though this whole experience was unexpected, we now have two tiny little girls growing stronger every day.

What We Learned About Dog Pregnancy

Since this experience was new for us, we ended up learning quite a bit along the way. If you ever have a pregnant dog, here are a few helpful things to know.

How Long Dogs Are Pregnant

Most dog pregnancies last about 63 days (around 9 weeks), though puppies can arrive a little earlier or later depending on the dog.

Signs Your Dog Might Be Pregnant

Some common signs include:

• Increased appetite
• Weight gain or a growing belly
• Sleeping more than usual
• Behavioral changes (more clingy or calm)

A vet visit is the best way to confirm pregnancy.

Preparing for Puppies

Before delivery, it helps to create a whelping area for the mom.

This should be:

• Warm
• Quiet
• Comfortable
• Safe for the puppies

Having a prepared space makes labor much easier for the mother dog.

Signs Labor Is Starting

Many dogs show clear signs when labor is near, including:

• Pacing or restlessness
• Panting
• Nesting or digging in bedding
• Refusing food

Once contractions begin, puppies often arrive 30–60 minutes apart, although timing can vary.

What Happens When Puppies Are Born

Mother dogs usually know exactly what to do. They will typically:

• Break open the amniotic sac
• Lick the puppy to stimulate breathing
• Eat the placenta (this is normal)
• Help the puppy begin nursing

Even though dogs are very capable mothers, it’s always good to keep an eye on things and contact a vet if something doesn’t seem right.

The First Few Weeks

Newborn puppies:

• Are born with their eyes closed
• Sleep most of the time
• Depend completely on their mom

Their eyes usually open around 10–14 days, and they grow quickly during this stage.

Mother dogs also help keep puppies clean by licking them and cleaning up after them, which is normal behavior.

Although we won’t be keeping the puppies long-term, the plan is to find them loving homes when they are old enough. For now, we’re enjoying every tiny moment while they grow, stretch, squeak, and slowly discover the world.

They may only be with us for a short time, but they will always be part of Malla’s story — and a very sweet chapter in ours.