One quiet afternoon, Catalina was startled by faint, high-pitched whining as she passed by an old underground pipe. Curiosity and concern led her to investigate, and as she peered inside, her breath caught. Two large, pleading eyes stared back at her—a mother dog, huddled protectively with her newborn puppies, trying to shield them from the cold and damp.
The sight was heartbreaking. The mother, later named Alma, looked exhausted and malnourished, yet her fierce love for her puppies was evident. Determined to help, Catalina hurried home to gather supplies. She returned with food and placed pieces of bread near the pipe’s entrance, hoping to earn the dog’s trust. Cautiously, Alma emerged, limping badly but clearly driven by hunger and the need to protect her babies. Her injury was evident, but she kept her focus on the food, watching Catalina closely.
Seeing Alma’s dire condition, Catalina knew she couldn’t leave the little family behind. With careful movements to avoid scaring them, she gathered the puppies and coaxed Alma out of the pipe. Despite her wariness, Alma seemed to sense Catalina’s good intentions and followed her to safety. Back home, Catalina quickly cleaned out an old henhouse, transforming it into a warm, dry shelter for the dog and her pups. For the first time in days—or perhaps weeks—Alma and her babies were safe.
The next day, Catalina brought Alma to a veterinarian to address her injury. The examination revealed a dislocated hip, likely caused by a past accident or trauma. In addition to her injury, Alma was severely malnourished and in desperate need of medication to regain her strength. The vet provided immediate care, and plans were made for Alma to undergo surgery to repair her hip.
Back at Catalina’s home, Alma began to recover. Despite her injury and past struggles, her maternal instincts shone through as she continued to nurture her puppies. The little ones thrived in the safe, loving environment, their tiny bodies growing stronger with each passing day. Once they’re old enough, the puppies will be placed in loving forever homes where they can begin new, happy lives.
Alma, too, has a bright future ahead. Thanks to Catalina’s kindness, she’ll receive the medical care she needs to heal and will no longer have to endure life on the streets. This story of rescue and transformation is a powerful reminder of the difference one person’s compassion can make.
