When Dove was found wandering the streets as a stray, fear consumed her.
Heavily pregnant, the soon-to-be mom curled into the corner of her kennel, shutting herself off from the overwhelming world around her.
The noisy, stressful shelter environment only deepened her trauma. By the time she gave birth to her twelve puppies, she was exhausted, fragile, and in desperate need of help.
Just as hope seemed to fade, a kind-hearted volunteer named Rita Earl Blackwell, from Los Angeles, stepped in. The moment she laid eyes on Dove in her small kennel, Rita knew she had to act fast to save this vulnerable family.
A Shelter Was No Place For A Fragile Mom And Her Newborns
Rita began visiting Dove daily, offering her comfort and quietly cheering her on. At the same time, she turned to social media, pleading with her followers to help the terrified mom find a safe place.
“I’m so sad thinking about her having to give birth alone in the shelter. In crowded and loud kennels. They’re cold. I’m worried thinking about the babies trying to survive there,” Rita wrote in an Instagram post.
It didn’t take long for a rescue to respond.
Soon after, Pawsitive Beginnings, based in Los Angeles, stepped forward, eager to help. Thanks to them, Dove and her twelve puppies were finally out of the shelter and on their way to a new beginning.
“I can’t image what Dove has been through in her life, but she does not know human love, and has scars all over her face,” the rescue shared on Instagram.
Settling Into A Safe And Nurturing Foster
Working closely with Karla’s Pack, Dove and her babies were welcomed into a warm foster home where they could finally feel safe.
At first, Dove was extremely cautious. For weeks, she only trusted Karla enough to feed her, keeping her distance from everyone else. Her entire focus was on protecting and caring for her pups.
But slowly, a transformation began to take place.
One day, Dove ventured out of her enclosure, curious about the world beyond her litter. To her surprise, she was greeted by seven other friendly dogs in Karla’s pack. For the first time, Dove allowed herself to relax and enjoy their company.
“Momma Dove is so sweet. She has been wanting to come out and be with my pack so we finally let her. She did so well that now she doesn’t want to go back in and be the momma,” Karla shared in an update post.
Watching Dove open up was incredibly moving. A dog who had known only fear was finally discovering love and companionship.
“Having love and family is all new to her and she doesn’t want to miss a minute. Once she’s out with us she’s happy and content,” Karla added.
A Bright Future For Dove And Her Puppies
Under Karla’s care, Dove’s puppies blossomed into healthy, happy little bundles of joy. With round-the-clock attention, they quickly grew into playful and affectionate dogs.
In just a couple of months, half of the litter had already been adopted into forever homes.
Meanwhile, Dove and her remaining pups continue to wait for their perfect families. There’s no doubt that when the right moment comes, they will bring endless joy to the homes lucky enough to welcome them.
For now, Dove and her babies are simply grateful for their second chance at life. Thanks to Rita, Pawsitive Beginnings, and Karla’s Pack, they’ve learned what it truly means to be safe, cherished, and loved.