Service Dog Goes Into Labor At Airport, Births 8 Puppies (VIDEO)

TAMPA, FL — Eleanor Rigby, a service dog in training, gave birth to eight puppies at Tampa International Airport while waiting to board a flight for Philadelphia on Friday. Eleanor Rigby went into labor before the afternoon flight and medics with Tampa Fire Rescue helped deliver the new puppies — seven males and one female.

Tampa Fire Rescue posted photos of the delivery and the puppies' father, Nugget, was also there to witness the whole thing.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, Eleanor Rigby's owner, Diane Van Atter, was flying to Philadelphia with the dogs. Van Atter's stepmother, Karen James, was also flying to Philadelphia and she told the paper they knew Eleanor Rigby was pregnant and the birth may have been triggered by the excitement of being at the airport. The family missed their flight.

The Tampa Bay Times reports Eleanor Rigby is a 2-year-old Golden Retriever. Van Atter has pain and mobility issues, according to the paper. Both Nugget and Eleanor Rigby are service dogs, though Eleanor Rigby is still in training.

Photos posted by Tampa Fire Rescue documented the pups' journey into the world. The first photo shows three new pups lying with mom while the father is also lying on the ground, nose to nose with Eleanor Rigby.

The later photos show more pups being born and the "proud papa" waiting for his babies.

"Seven boys, one girl. Time to rest, #Ellie," Tampa Fire Rescue tweeted after the last pup was born.

You can see all the photos posted by Tampa Fire Rescue here.

Photos via Tampa Fire Rescue