Being an animal rescuer means always expecting the unexpected. But no matter how seasoned you are, some rescue missions still have the power to completely take you by surprise.
That’s exactly what happened to Adriana Figueroa, a Florida-based rescuer, when she responded to a call about a stray dog roaming the neighborhood. What she thought would be a routine rescue turned into something much more extraordinary.
As she followed the dog, Adriana soon found herself standing beside a dark crawl space under a house, and what was hidden inside left her stunned.
An Unexpected Discovery
When Adriana, a dedicated member of Women’s Volunteer Miami, got word of a stray nursing dog in the area, she wasted no time heading out. Once she arrived, it took some effort to track the pup down.
Eventually, she spotted her — a timid black mixed-breed dog, no more than a year old.
Being careful not to frighten her, Adriana trailed the pup at a distance. The dog led her straight to a crawl space beneath a nearby house.
Initially thinking the dog was simply seeking shelter, Adriana tried coaxing her out. But then, something unexpected happened—tiny heads began popping up from the darkness below.
The mama dog wasn’t hiding; she was protecting her litter.
“It was just her and her babies. She was just trying to find a place to keep them safe,” Adriana Figueroa told The Dodo.
Knowing they all needed to be in a safe, clean environment, Adriana and her team carefully got to work. After three long hours, they had rescued eight puppies. As darkness fell and the task grew harder, they decided to return the next morning.
When they came back, they were able to safely retrieve the mother and one final pup.
A Fresh Start
Adriana was overjoyed to have the whole family safe and sound. But with ten dogs now in need of care, she reached out to Big Dog Ranch Rescue for help. Without hesitation, the organization welcomed the entire furry crew.
Soon after, the mother — now named Veviana — and her pups were settling into their temporary home, each of them already showing signs of joy and curiosity.
The puppies: Sunshine, Sugar, Tater, Scarlett, Spud, Rouge, Jerry, Poochie, and Bonnie, quickly bonded with their new caregivers, brimming with energy and tail wags.
Veviana seemed to understand she was finally safe. Her tail wagged with gratitude, as if to thank those who gave her and her babies a second chance.
Within just a few weeks, six of her puppies were adopted into forever homes. Veviana and three of her pups remained, patiently waiting for their turn.
“I’m ready to start a new chapter. I’ll be your loyal companion, always full of love, joy, and wagging tails to brighten your days,” reads Veviana’s adoption profile.
When the time is right, there’s no doubt that the rest of this sweet family will find loving homes, too.
Veviana’s gentle nature is hard to overlook. She’s a calm, affectionate soul who’s been through so much, and now she deserves to live a life free from fear—where her only job is to be loved.
“Gentle and laid-back, Veviana may be a little shy at first, but with love, she’ll open up in no time. She’s spent her days watching over her babies—now she’s ready for a family of her own,” BDRR shared in an Instagram post.
We’re rooting for you, Veviana!