Twelve Labradors from same litter reunited for first birthday party in Pontypridd

A Labrador who gave birth to more than a dozen puppies has been reunited with her brood for an “emotional” party marking their first birthday.

Tilly delivered 14 puppies, two of which didn’t survive, last year in what was described at the time as a “rollercoaster of emotions”.

The dogs travelled from their homes across south Wales, as well as Chippenham and Winchester, to a barn near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, for a noisy and energetic photo call.

Tracy Thomas, Tilly’s owner, said getting them together for the party was “easier than organising a photo of them. Definitely”.

But she insisted this was the only time she would do it.

“Just this one year,” she said.

A scan originally revealed Tilly was expecting a litter of about half a dozen, but a week before she was due she gave birth to 14 pups – 12 who survived – in three waves over a period of 15 hours.

Tracy has kept in touch, via a Whatsapp group, with all 12 owners, visiting some of Tilly’s puppies, with others staying with her when their owners are away on holiday.

When the puppies were adopted, one of the conditions was that they would all need to come back for their first birthday party, Tracy said.

“They’ve all grown and they’ve all got their own personalities, you can see in their faces who’s who,” she said.