Bringing a dog home is not a small promise, even if some people treat it like one. Food alone is not enough, because a dog needs attention, time, patience, and the kind of devotion that does not vanish when life gets harder.
That responsibility can feel lighter once a bond grows, but it still asks a lot from a person.
In Hawaii, the people who owned one home moved away and chose to leave their dogs behind instead of staying faithful to that promise.
A Rescue Brings Everyone Together
It was a normal day for Maraya Pierro, director of Rescue Kitties of Hawaii, when she received a call from her 80-year-old mother. Her mother had found puppies living on an abandoned property.
Pierro responded right away, not realizing how many people would soon join in to help save the stranded animals.
However, there was a challenge. The puppies were hiding underneath the property’s deck, making them difficult to reach.
Pierro told The Dodo: “My first thought was, like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know what to do with puppies.’”
Her first move was to bring food since they were likely starving. She gathered formula, bottles, and blankets, preparing for what could take some time.
After speaking with locals, she learned that the property owners had left in a hurry and, in the process, abandoned their dogs without a second thought.
Neighbors Unite To Help
Fortunately, a man who had been taking care of the property after the owners left had continued feeding the dogs, keeping them alive until help arrived.
When Pierro reached the scene on Moloka’i, she called for assistance. A group of senior citizens soon showed up, eager to help locate the trapped puppies.
Following the sounds of whimpers, they eventually found the spot where the little ones were hiding. Pierro said: “I’ve never seen any of us jump into action that quickly. We’re not spring chickens, either.”
One by one, they gently pulled the puppies out from under the deck. Everyone was stunned by how many they found.
In total, seven puppies were rescued. The group searched the property again to ensure no one was left behind.
Once all the puppies were safe, Pierro and her team began bottle-feeding them. They were still very young and needed full care.
Moloka’i doesn’t have a large shelter that could house all seven, but Pierro reached out to local veterinarians who helped with vaccinations and health checks.
Soon, she found a foster home willing to care for all of them until permanent homes could be arranged.
She said: “These foster pups each come with their own bombastic personalities. Side eyes, snuggles, howls, and more! From Little Miss Land Shark to Fatabu the Big Baby, they’re already stealing hearts.”
As for the parents, the Maui Humane Society located the father and quickly found him a forever home.
They are still searching for the mother, and with time, they hope she too will find a loving family.