Last autumn, residents in the town of Peterborough, in central England, noticed a dog wandering around their neighbourhood.
Despite the approaching cold, the little Shiba Inu kept moving about on her own, surviving on food offered by passers-by.
A shocking discovery in the woods
Intrigued, several people decided to investigate where the dog was living. Their search led them to a wooded area. There, they found the dog, but she wasn't alone. She was, in fact, surrounded by her five puppies.
A family in safe hands
Startled by the arrival of the well-meaning locals, the mother dog ran off, leaving her puppies behind. Worried for their survival, the residents immediately gathered up the little ones and took them home to get them warm.
Later that night, they returned to the spot where they had first seen the mother and found her waiting in the same place.
The next day, representatives from the animal welfare charity, Woodgreen Pets Charity, stepped in to take the whole family into their care.
The puppies, named Ash, Chestnut, Acorn, Blossom and Maple, were less than three weeks old. Luckily, the charity managed to find a foster home for the mother and her pups.
Today, the mum, Fern, and several of her little ones have been adopted into loving homes.
