In a heartwarming act of compassion, actress Alicia Silverstone played a pivotal role in saving the life of a pregnant dog and her twelve puppies just hours before they were scheduled for euthanasia at an overcrowded animal shelter in San Bernardino.
A Timely Intervention
The dramatic rescue unfolded six weeks ago when Silverstone, the 49-year-old star of the classic film Clueless, came across a distressing Facebook post about the dog's plight. Moved by the animal's plight, she immediately forwarded the post to Mike Arms, the CEO of the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
'Her face was just so beautiful and lovely, and so I thought, "Call Mike,"' Silverstone explained to NBC 7 San Diego, describing the moment that sparked the rescue mission.
Emergency Rescue Operation
Responding swiftly, Mike Arms mobilised his team at the Rancho Santa Fe Center to retrieve the pregnant terrier mix. In a remarkable turn of events, the dog gave birth to fourteen puppies within minutes of arriving at the rescue centre. Tragically, two of the newborns did not survive, but twelve healthy puppies were saved.
'The day they were going to kill her, she happened to have her babies, which is kinda crazy,' Silverstone marvelled at the fortunate timing.
Christmas-Themed Names
In honour of the Christmas season during which the rescue occurred, the mother dog was named Noel. Her twelve surviving puppies received festive monikers inspired by the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas:
- Drummer
- Piper
- Lord
- Lady
- Maid
- Swan Goose
- Ring
- Calling Bird
- French Hen
- Turtle Dove
- Partridge
Personal Involvement
The two-time Daytime Emmy nominee couldn't resist getting personally involved in the puppies' care. Despite preparing for a trip to Europe in just three weeks, Silverstone visited the Helen Woodward Animal Center shelter with her 14-year-old son, Bear Blu Jarecki, and decided to foster four of the adorable puppies.
'I would have taken them all if I could!' Silverstone gushed on Instagram, sharing her experience of caring for the newborn canines. 'Yesterday I did nothing but clean pee and poo, feed tiny mouths and try to keep everyone warm and alive. It's the sweetest, most adorable thing… and also complete insanity given everything I need to get done.'
Advocacy for Adoption
Silverstone, whose own adopted dogs follow vegan diets like herself, used her substantial social media platform of 10.4 million followers to advocate for pet adoption. She shared adorable photos of her foster puppies with the caption: 'Just look at these faces. How can you say no?!'
The actress made a passionate plea to her followers: 'These four (and eight of their siblings) need forever homes. If you're ready for a life-changer contact @hwac in San Diego [starting mid-February]. Stop going to breeders, stop going to pet stores and just rescue.'
Professional Milestones
This heartwarming animal rescue story comes during a significant period in Silverstone's career. Last Thursday, the National Film Registry announced they would induct her breakthrough 1995 film Clueless for preservation by the Library of Congress. The film was recognised alongside 25 other works deemed 'culturally, historically or aesthetically significant'.
Silverstone might make an appearance at the 98th Academy Awards in March to support her film Bugonia, which has received four nominations including best picture and best adapted screenplay.
Upcoming Projects and Advocacy
The actress is set to reprise her role as lawyer Fiona Fox in the six-episode second season of Acorn TV's murder mystery Irish Blood, with production beginning in three weeks.
Beyond her acting career, Silverstone devotes considerable time to promoting plant-based living through her blog, The Kind Life. In her 2014 book The Kind Mama, she famously advocated that a vegan diet can prevent postpartum depression and help with various health issues including PMS, breastfeeding challenges, and MS.
Silverstone shares joint custody of her son with ex-husband Christopher Jarecki, whom she divorced in 2018 after thirteen years of marriage.
