SALEM (CBS) — This birthday party immediately went to the dogs.

Four-legged brothers and sisters celebrated their one year birthday at the Northeast Animal Shelter Sunday. It was the first time the litter had been together since they were adopted by area families.

Their mom, Rags, made a grand entrance and her kids came over to say hi. Rags was rescued from a high kill animal shelter in Alabama. She was at the shelter in Salem for less than two weeks when Linda Rosenstein fell in love.

“She was so sweet and lovely and responsive, so I brought my husband over and said, ‘I found her. I think I found our dog,'” Rosenstein said.

What no one knew at the time was Rags was pregnant.

“They thought, ‘how could she be pregnant?'” Rosenstein said. “They were incredulous.”

Rags was not only pregnant, but pregnant with an unusual number of pups, who all survived. Her 12 babies were quickly adopted by local families.

Priscilla and Andrew Murphy brought Roque to the family reunion.

“It’s awesome. Look at all the people the dogs affected,” Andrew Murphy said.

Then came the family photo, which, like with most large families, was a little challenging getting everyone to look at the camera.

There will be more chances for the perfect picture, though.

“I feel like it’s incredible, like we have a lot of new friends.” Rosenstein said.