Celeste is seen her with one of her foster family members relaxing on the couch, already looking better than when she was found on the streets just a few weeks ago. (Elaine Nelson-Hosak)

By Jordan Davidson

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NANAIMO — The story of Celeste, a two-year-old, starving dog who was abandoned while pregnant to give birth to her five puppies on the street, won’t soon be forgotten by the citizens of Nanaimo.

And the story is getting brighter by the day. Elaine Nelson-Hosak and her family are currently fostering Celeste and her pups.

She said it was heart-wrenching when they first laid eyes on the emaciated dog they have since affectionately nicknamed, “Momma”.

“I’d never seen a mother dog starved before, so it was a bit of a shock when we got to the SPCA to pick her up.”

She said it was clear the mother dog was giving all of her nutrients to her puppies.

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“She was so thin and those puppies were just nursing like crazy, and she just did her job as a mom even though she was starving to death.”

While her puppies are seemingly healthy after being checked out by the vet, Celeste still has some health issues to deal with.

She is still on a strict re-feeding program, having smaller meals of nutrient-rich wet puppy food six times a day in order to slowly build back up her strength.

But that hasn’t stopped her from trying to find food on her own.

“She literally opened up our microwave and took the plate out and set it on the floor in search of food. She opened up our freezer, like put up her paw and pulled the door to open up our freezer. We had to tie up our fridge and our freezer because she’s looking for food, she’s starving and she needs to feed her babies… it’s heart-wrenching.”

Nelson-Hosak said Celeste isn’t nursing her four girls and one boy anymore and enjoys spending time on the couch with her foster family and staying warm by the fire.

Nelson-Hosak with one of the puppies, who will be available for adoption at the Nanaimo SPCA some time in the new year. (Elaine Nelson-Hosak)

“We lay down on the floor and let her lay on us and we pet her and we rub her, and it’s not a nice feeling when you go to pet a dog and all you’re feeling is her bones and her ribs. But we lay there with her and she looks up at us with these eyes like, ‘thank you for loving me’… it’s beautiful.”

Besides a few accidents in the house, Nelson-Hosak said Celeste has a very calm demeanour when it comes time to eat.

“It’s almost like she just appreciates that she’s where she is. She appreciates being loved.”

Nelson-Hosak is grateful to the Nanaimo SPCA for all their help and support and encourages everyone to donate to them to help cases like Celeste.

And speaking of a giving community, Nelson-Hosak said she’s been overwhelmed by the amount of phone calls they’ve received from friends and family offering help once word got out they were fostering Celeste and her pups.

“My phone has not stopped with people wanting to give donations, and food, and blankets, and pee pads. We are one amazing community, we really are.”

While Celeste still has a long road to recovery ahead of her, Nelson-Hosak is happy to report she’s gained about two pounds since arriving in their care.

She said while their family recently got a new puppy, they are seriously considering adopting Celeste once she’s healthy enough.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow