A Stormy Night’s Call: The Officer’s Discovery
On a stormy night, Animal Care Officer Perry received a call about a homeless Pit Bull who was barking at a door in a San Antonio neighborhood.
The caller described the dog as aggressive, prompting Officer Perry to rush to the scene to investigate.
The weather was cold when Perry arrived. She shivered in her jacket as she searched for the stray dog.
Perry expected to encounter a large, defensive dog, but instead, she found a small pup clinging to an abandoned car seat in the trash.
The dog looked incredibly scared as she tried to stay warm and seek shelter from the cold.
Officer Perry was both surprised and deeply moved by the heartbreaking sight. She was determined to help the vulnerable dog and bring her to safety.
A Moment of Trust: From Fear to Gratitude
As soon as Perry saw the dog, later named Martha, she realized that the pup had spent a considerable amount of time on the streets, struggling to survive.
Martha’s ribs were visibly protruding through her small frame, indicating severe malnourishment.
When Martha noticed Perry approaching, she initially looked away, displaying confusion and hesitation. She knew she needed help but was unsure if she could trust the officer.
Perry spoke to her gently and encouraged her to come with her.
Martha seemed to sense that Perry was a kind person who was there to help. She agreed to go with her, and Perry carefully wrapped her in a blanket and led her to the car.
The moment Martha entered the car, her demeanor changed dramatically. She wagged her tail enthusiastically, as if trying to express her immense gratitude to Perry.
“It was amazing how quickly she came around. It was like she knew I was there to help her,” Perry shared with The Dodo.
The pup was taken to the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services. The staff offered her delicious food, which she devoured immediately.
She underwent a veterinary checkup, where it was revealed that she was malnourished, heartworm-positive, and had given birth to litters of puppies in the past.
A New Beginning: Comfort and Care
Perry took Martha to her kennel, provided her with an abundance of stuffed toys, and allowed her to choose her favorite. Martha selected a stuffed teddy bear.
The shelter staff recognized that the pup needed a loving foster home where she could learn how to be a dog and experience genuine care. They shared her story on Facebook, appealing to the community for someone to take her in and provide her with the support she needed.
When the Mains family saw Martha’s story, they felt a strong desire to foster her and assist her on her journey to finding a forever home.
Upon picking her up from the San Antonio shelter, the dog expressed her gratitude to her foster family by showering them with affectionate kisses.
Thriving in Foster Care: Learning to “Dog”
Martha moved in with the Mains family and met her three foster dog siblings, who began teaching her proper canine behavior and social skills.
Thanks to the love and attention she received from her foster parents, along with the guidance and support of her doggy siblings, Martha started to come out of her shell.
She quickly adapted to her foster home and developed a strong attachment to her foster parents. Martha follows them everywhere and even sleeps in their bed.
“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.
Martha is currently residing in her foster home and continuing to receive heartworm treatment. She is gradually gaining weight and strength. She still enjoys playing with toys, and the teddy bear that her rescuer gave her remains her favorite.
Before long, she will be ready to begin the search for her forever family, a home where she will receive the unconditional love she so desperately needs.
