Dog Reunites with Pregnant Sister 2 Days Before She Gives Birth — and Helps Her Raise the Pups

Diamond started lactating shortly after her sister Erica gave birth and helped her nurse the pups; now the adult dogs are looking for a home together

Two canine sisters are looking for a home of their own after raising a family together.

In September 2023, Erica, a very pregnant "big momma" pit bull mix, was surrendered at a large city shelter in New York by her owner, who could no longer care for the canine. After taking in the dog, the shelter contacted New York City-based Twenty Paws Rescue about finding the dog a foster.

"They contacted us and were like, 'We have this super friendly girl who's super-duper pregnant, and she needs out of the shelter ASAP,'" Rachel, the founder of Twenty Paws Rescue, tells PEOPLE.

Michael and Lora from Coney Island Pet Grooming, who have fostered over 20 dogs since 2014, happily signed up to take in Erica.

"We saw an email stating that there is a super pregnant Pitbull that can give birth any day, and we didn't want those pups to be born in some kennel and alone, so we took her in," Michael explains to PEOPLE.

Once Erica settled in, Michael noticed the dog was "so stressed, and we did not know why." The animal lovers soon learned it was because Erica missed her sister, Diamond.

According to Rachel, the shelter that contacted her about Erica emailed the rescue founder a couple of days later "and said, 'You know, she was surrendered with her sister, and her sister won't eat, she won't drink, she won't walk. We have to carry her inside and outside. Would you consider taking her also? She's so depressed in the shelter.'"

Rachel responded, "Yeah, of course."

Luckily, Michael and Lora were game to take in another pit bull mix, even though they were already expecting more pups with Erica's babies on the way.

"When we found out that they were brought in from the same family and got into this bad part of their lives, we couldn't take the thought of them being separated," Michael says.

The couple knew they made the right choice when the dogs reunited.

"The moment we reunited them, they were extremely happy, and Diamond started to eat. Erica finally calmed down," he adds.

On Sept. 29, two days after this sweet reunion, Erica went into labor, and Diamond was by her side to help her sister through. Erica gave birth to 13 puppies, including two stillborn dogs.

In the days following the puppies' birth, Erica's foster parents ensured the mother dog had plenty of time and space to bond with her 11 puppies.

"Erica was very protective of her babies; she did not even let Diamond get close. Diamond looked from afar but didn't come close so as not to irritate her," Michael says of the first few days after the puppies' arrival.

Despite keeping her distance from the pups, Diamond started to lactate shortly after they were born, right around when Erica began to tire from caring for 11 pups.

"When we noticed Erica was just getting so exhausted and wanted a break and Diamond was lactating, we kind of switched them out, and Diamond just took over as Mama Bear and loved them, groomed them, fed them, was just so patient with them. And after that, they started feeding and grooming them together," Rachel says, describing how Erica and Diamond started co-parenting.

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"Diamond was super gentle, and she really loved that process. She tried helping in any way she could," Michael adds.

Together, the sisters raised and weaned the dogs. Once the puppies reached eight weeks old and received their vaccines and health exams, the rescue made them available for adoption. All 11 puppies now have new families, leaving just Erica and Diamond looking for a home. And the pair are a package deal.

"It's the only option," Rachel says of the joint adoption. "Everything they do together. They go to doggy daycare together and lie down and snuggle on a bed together. They'll get up and play for a little bit, but then they're just back at it together. They're always side by side."

Michael says the dogs almost always sleep curled up next to each other.

Related: Dog Adopted After 676 Days of Waiting Reunites with His Brother at New 'Perfect Home'

"They always sleep in the Ying-Yang position we called it," he shares.

Twenty Paws Rescue is looking for an adopter "who'll love" the pooches. In return, the pet parent will get two "low-maintenance dogs."

"There's no guesswork with these girls. They're just incredible. And we hope someone will consider opening their home to these two large land seals," Rachel says.

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Michael agrees that Erica and Diamond would make a delightful addition to most families.

"They are very loving, affectionate, and playful dogs. Also, they are just overall very simple to take care of; they really do not ask for much but food and love," he says.

To learn more about Twenty Paws Rescue, including how to adopt Erica and Diamond, visit the organization's website.

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