As the employees got closer, they were stunned to realise the dog wasn't resting alone: she was protecting a litter of tiny puppies. Alerted, Priscilla Wolcott, an animal control officer with Fresno Humane Animal Services, arrived on the scene in under an hour.
The dog had initially been reported as "aggressive". But as she approached, Priscilla immediately understood the truth of the situation. The animal wasn't vicious; she was simply skeletal, exhausted, and terrified for her offspring. "I could see how exhausted she was, just completely drained," the rescuer recalled.
Puppies just a day old
Using a gentle approach and some food, Priscilla managed to get the mum safely into her vehicle. She then tended to the little ones, who were even younger than she'd expected. "They were only a day or two old," Priscilla explained. "Their umbilical cords were still attached."
As soon as she arrived at the shelter, the dog's behaviour changed dramatically. She started wagging her tail and accepted strokes for the first time. "She literally melted into my arms, as if to say, 'It's okay, I'm safe now, I'll let you help me'," the officer shared.
A brighter future for the family
The shelter team decided to name the mum Prada. In keeping with the glamorous theme, all her puppies were named after designer handbags. It was a little touch of elegance for these survivors who have come so far.
The puppies will stay with Prada for another seven to eight weeks before they are put up for adoption. In the meantime, the shelter is looking for a partner rescue that can take in the whole family so they can recover in a quiet environment. This story is also a crucial reminder of the importance of neutering to combat the animal overpopulation crisis currently affecting the region.
