Alice Gill Shelnutt, founder of Southern Pup Animal Rescue, was approached by a man who had spotted a white Shepherd mix near a rural intersection for days.
Shelnutt and her husband tracked the dog to a stretch of gravel road, where they found the distressed animal showing signs of recent nursing.
Surprise discovery
After feeding the dog and following her through the woods, the couple discovered nine puppies, swarming with flies, hidden in a ditch. Shelnutt carefully rescued the pups, placing them in a box, and then brought the mother, dubbed Marathon Mama, to safety.
The timing of the rescue was crucial; had they arrived later, the puppies may have perished in a storm.
Happy ending
Back at home, Marathon Mama was bathed and reunited with her puppies. As the family settled in, Shelnutt reflected on the miracle of the rescue. "She just seemed to know that we were there and willing to help her," Shelnutt said.
Now, the pups are thriving, and in a month, they'll be ready for adoption.
