On a stormy night in San Antonio, Animal Care Officer Perry received a call about a Pit Bull spotted barking at a front door.
The caller believed the dog was acting aggressively, prompting Perry to respond quickly.
When she arrived, the cold cut through her jacket as she began searching the area.
She expected to find a large, intimidating dog, but instead came across a small pup curled up on an old car seat left in the trash.
The little dog looked frightened and was clearly doing her best to stay warm and sheltered. The sight moved Perry deeply. She was determined to bring the pup to safety.
Safe At Last
From the moment Perry saw the dog—later named Martha—she could tell she had been on the streets for a long time. Her ribs were visible beneath her small frame.
As Perry approached, Martha turned her head away, unsure whether to trust the stranger. Though she clearly needed help, she hesitated.
Perry gently spoke to her, offering reassurance. Martha seemed to sense the kindness in her voice and allowed the officer to wrap her in a blanket and guide her to the car.
The moment she climbed in, her demeanor shifted. She wagged her tail, as if saying thank you.
“It was amazing how quickly she came around. It was like she knew I was there to help her,” Perry told The Dodo.
Once at the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, Martha was offered a hearty meal, which she quickly devoured.
A medical exam revealed she was underweight, tested positive for heartworms, and had previously given birth.
The Start Of A Brighter Chapter
Perry helped settle Martha into a kennel filled with soft stuffed toys, and the pup quickly chose a teddy bear as her favorite.
Knowing she would thrive better in a home, the shelter shared her story on Facebook in hopes of finding her a foster family.
The Mains family read about Martha’s journey and felt drawn to help. They offered to foster her and give her the love she needed to recover.
When they picked her up, Martha greeted them with affectionate kisses, grateful for her second chance.
She soon met her three foster dog siblings, who began teaching her how to behave in a home.
With the Mains family’s love and the guidance of her new furry companions, Martha started coming out of her shell.
She grew attached to her foster parents, following them around the house and sleeping beside them at night.
“Her fosters say she has settled in and sleeps on their bed at night. They are also getting used to having no privacy because Martha follows them everywhere! Her foster mom says, ‘She doesn’t know to “dog” yet, but she’s learning,'” Lisa Norwood, public relations manager for City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, told The Dodo.
Now continuing her heartworm treatment, Martha is slowly gaining weight. She still enjoys playing with toys—especially the teddy bear Perry gave her.
Very soon, she’ll be ready to begin her search for a forever home where she’ll be cherished and loved.