Zsa Zsa the 5-year-old dachshund and her beautiful litter of kittens
This odd family was formed when Zsa Zsa’s owner, Debbie Blau, agreed to take care of the orphaned kittens after their mother was killed by a dog a week after giving birth to them.

The blind and helpless little fur balls arrived at Blau’s residence tucked into a padded cardboard box. But then Zsa Zsa peered into the box and immediately began taking the purring babes up into her snout. They soon found that the little dog’s intentions were to protect, clean, and even try to nurse the wriggling kittens.

Historically, Zsa Zsa’s maternal instincts have not been limited to creatures that have furry bodies, four legs, or even warm blood: “She would bring home and take care of a snake,” mused Ms. Brown.

“She will not leave them alone. She hasn’t since they got here,” Blau said. “She barely leaves long enough for me to take her outside to go to the bathroom.”