Shugy, a pregnant stray, braved hunger and harsh weather day after day. All she wanted was a warm, safe place to bring her babies into the world.
One day, she wandered into a Dollar General parking lot in Mississippi, hoping kindhearted people might help her escape her lonely life. For months, she approached strangers with pleading eyes, but no one stopped to help. She felt invisible.
What Shugy didn’t know was that her life was about to change forever.
Help Arrives At Last
When Mary Smith and her mother visited Dollar General, they spotted Shugy and immediately noticed her swollen belly. Concern filled their hearts, not just for her, but for her unborn pups.
Unable to stop thinking about her, they returned the very next day. After speaking with the store clerk, they learned the heartbreaking truth: Shugy belonged to no one and had been begging for help for months.
That was all they needed to hear. The pair decided to take her home.
Although Shugy clearly knew she needed help, fear still lingered. With gentle voices and soft cuddles, Mary and her mom reassured her. Finally, she allowed them to lead her away from the parking lot.
Back at their home, they gave her a much-needed bath. Oil stains in her fur revealed she had likely been sleeping under cars just to keep warm. Once she was clean, they set up a cozy spot where she could rest.
Feeling Safe For The First Time
At first, Shugy was too anxious to fall asleep. Mary and her mother sat with her, speaking kindly until she began to relax. Soon, exhaustion took over, and she drifted off — safe at last.
The next day, they brought her to Nunnery Veterinary Hospital in Summit, Mississippi.
Shugy was diagnosed with heartworm, hookworms, and ear mites. The vet estimated she was only about a year old. Despite her hardships, she charmed everyone at the clinic with her gentle nature.
After starting treatment, Shugy returned to her new temporary home. She began to decompress, soaking in the warmth and comfort she had been missing for so long. Tail wagging, she enjoyed exploring the yard.
A Much-Deserved Happy Ending
One week after her rescue, Shugy went into labor. Mary’s mom FaceTimed her so she could witness the beautiful moment as Shugy welcomed seven tiny puppies into the world.
As soon as she could, Mary rushed over to meet the proud mama and her babies. Shugy proved to be a loving, attentive mom, ensuring her pups grew up happy and carefree.
When the puppies became playful “toddlers,” the Smith household was full of lively chaos.
Once they were old enough, each pup found a forever home. “They were incredibly wanted and they all have great lives,” Mary told The Dodo.
The Smith family decided to keep Shugy and one of her puppies, while Mary adopted another. She firmly believes that Shugy and her little ones were meant to become part of their family.
Thanks to the Smiths’ kindness, Shugy’s days of begging in a parking lot are long gone — replaced with love, safety, and the joy of family.