Tampa Fire and Rescue got the call about a pregnant yellow lab who was going into labor at the Tampa International airport over the weekend, and they documented the entire event for us on Twitter.
NY POST – A service dog unexpectedly went into labor shortly before she and her two owners were slated to board a flight at the Tampa International on Friday.
The 2-year-old yellow lab, Eleanor “Elle” Rigby, (named after The Beatles song of the same name), gave birth to eight puppies — seven males and one female, according to the Tampa Fire Rescue.
The puppies’ father, a yellow lab named Nugget who is also a service dog, was also at the airport at the time of the birth.
Personnel with the Tampa Fire Rescue, which documented the birth on Twitter, helped Elle to deliver her puppies.
An air traveler’s service dog is delivering puppies now @FlyTPA We’re a full-service department! pic.twitter.com/4xlPixtcFn
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
Update from @FlyTPA: 5 new puppies. Waiting on a couple more! #AirportPuppies pic.twitter.com/DVkOLWVYw8
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
Mom’s name is Ellie, short for Eleanor Rigby. Two year old yellow lab pic.twitter.com/dzPCn8mdoN
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
#Ellie is the proud mother of 6 boys so far...The delivery crew including @TPAPolice @flytpa awaits number 7. Will it be a girl? #AirportPuppies pic.twitter.com/Wla9iHjGEJ
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/TampaFireRescue/status/1000090711818203142
It’s a girl! #AirportPuppies pic.twitter.com/gFUY6W8Y2X
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
Seven boys, one girl. Time to rest, #Ellie. #AirportPuppies @FlyTPA @TPAPolice @CityofTampa pic.twitter.com/8QAP9YPo4z
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
All done! #AirportPuppies @FlyTPA @CityofTampa pic.twitter.com/NIoXr0HCZW
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
Tampa paramedics do it all! PM Larry Glanton and Lt Natalie Brown teamed up to deliver the 8 puppies @FlyTPA #AirportPuppies pic.twitter.com/eAZzoe1Zvm
— Tampa Fire Rescue (@TampaFireRescue) May 25, 2018
An airport spokesperson told Fox 35 that a woman and her daughter were flying from Tampa to Philadelphia. They were aware that Ellie was pregnant, but didn’t realize how far along she was.
Due to the unexpected birth, the woman and her daughter missed their flight. They now plan to drive from Tampa to Philadelphia — roughly 1,000 miles — with their 10 dogs, the Miami Herald reported.
Well that’s not something you see everyday in an airport.
But what a cute story! I just couldn’t pass it up!