50 puppies storm the 'Rachael Ray' show in honor of her 50th birthday!

Celebrity Chef Rachael Ray had a very unusual birthday surprise live on her show.

Rachael Ray celebrated her 50th birthday on September 10, 2018, and she was in for the surprise of her life.

Emeril, Beth Stern, and a group from the North Shore Animal League America ran onstage with 50 puppies that had been rescued in Rachael's honor.

The TV star, businesswoman and celebrity chef has donated $28 million from the profits of her pet food line Nutrish to help animals.

The delightful scene was posted on Youtube by "The Rachael Ray Show" and is being shared and enjoyed by thousands of fans.

Source: Screen shot/ Rachael Ray Show

"Nothing in the world would make every person on this stage happier than, if you're watching, to give all these loving animals a home."

Rachael Ray, "The Rachael Ray Show, September 10, 2018.

ADOPT A PUPPY AND LIVE LONGER

Rachael took the opportunity to appeal to her audience to consider adopting a puppy. She pointed out that the selfless act would make them happier and better people.

The TV-show host shared the belief that having an adoring pet in your life extends human life.

Source: Screen shot/ Rachael Ray Show

A SURPRISE FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Ray's staff and her friends thought it would be a sweet gesture to bring on to the show one pup for every year of her life, 50 in total.

Source: Screen shot/ Rachael Ray Show

RAY'S HUSBAND HELPED PREPARE THE SURPRISE

Ray's husband of 13 years, John Cusimano, worked with the conspirators to pull off the surprise. Cusimano is a lawyer, vocalist in an indie-rock band, and helps Ray write cookbooks/cocktail recipe books.

Source: Screen shot/ Rachael Ray Show

A TRAUMATIC EVENT IN HER PAST

One of the reasons for Ray's passion for dogs lies rooted in a traumatic event in her past. When she was 27, Ray suffered an attempted mugging late at night in New York City.

Source: Screen shot/ Rachael Ray Show

SAVED FROM A MUGGER WITH A GUN BY A DOG

Ray fended off her attacker with pepper spray, sometime later the man returned, dragged into an alleyway where he threatened her with his gun and beat her.

Fortunately for Ray, a dog scared off the criminal, but she was left with deep-seated trauma from the event, and an enduring love for dogs.

In a related story, firemen from Colorado Springs firefighters were called to rescue eight puppies trapped in the drainage but then discovered the tiny mites weren't dogs.