A mama dog and her two pups had no one to turn to as they wandered desperately along a road near Lake Trask, in Mason County, Washington.
As the rain poured down, the frightened mother and her pups trembled with cold, searching for a safe place to stay.
Soaked and shivering, the canine family hoped someone kind would notice them and provide a warm, safe shelter.
The Canine Family Receives Aid
When officers at Shelton Animal Control learned of the struggling dogs, they reached out to Caryn, a volunteer at the Humane Society of Mason County, located in Belfair, Washington.
Caryn contacted D.D. Ponder, a longtime dog trapper, and the two set out to rescue the pups.
By the time they arrived, it was night. They surveyed the area and set multiple traps baited with tasty treats.
Seeing the worried mama dog and her two pups left the rescuers heartbroken as they imagined the fear and hopelessness the family must have felt.
The team began the delicate process of gaining the dogs’ trust.
The puppies, Parker and Petey, were curious and approached the rescuers, allowing the team to safely capture the friendly siblings.
The mother dog, later named Laila, was wary and avoided the traps.
Caryn and D.D. Ponder tried using the puppies to lure Laila into the crate, but quickly realized the plan would not work.
She stayed close to her pups, making sure they were safe, but refused to enter the trap herself.
Laila wasn’t hungry and ignored the chicken offered by the rescuers.
After hours of trying to catch her, Caryn and D.D. Ponder had to return home to care for their own pets.
Before leaving, they asked a kind local resident, Pete, to keep an eye on Laila and her pups.
Pete agreed and offered her some ham. Laila loved it, and when he left pieces in the crate, she finally entered the trap and was safely secured.
Hope Shines For Their Future
The Humane Society of Mason County took the family into their care.
Exhausted but safe, the dogs were ready for a fresh start.
“After 20 hours, with volunteers keeping vigilance all day and night, mom and babies were finally secured! They were exhausted and so ready for a better life,” the rescue wrote in a Facebook post.
Both Laila and her puppies breathed a sigh of relief when they were finally taken into foster care.
In foster care, Laila and her pups had time to relax and began to enjoy the love and warmth of a home.
The canine family settled in quickly, experiencing comfort they had never known.
The next step is finding forever homes for each of the dogs.
Parker has already captured the heart of a family eager to adopt him.
Petey is still searching for a permanent home, and Laila will be ready for adoption soon.
With luck, all three dogs will begin the happiest chapter of their lives, surrounded by love and care they truly deserve.