Last weekend, the Pet Charity of Ohio, a nonprofit humane organization, received a call about a family of dogs in desperate need of help.
Jane MacMurchy, the nonprofit’s operations director, along with a humane agent, arrived at the scene to find a mother dog and her two puppies living in terrible conditions.
It was evident that the owners were neglecting the dogs, leaving them to rely solely on each other for survival.
Rescue and Shelter Care
“They were living in horrible conditions,” MacMurchy told The Dodo. “There were about six to eight inches of debris in a makeshift pen, and the puppies had no socialization.”
The owners surrendered the two 5-month-old puppies, named Peaches and Layla, along with their 7-year-old mother, Lady. The rescuers quickly transported them to the shelter.
Although a veterinary check confirmed they were in relatively good health, the puppies lacked confidence and were unsure how to behave without their mother’s guidance. The sight of Peaches and Layla clinging to each other in fear at the shelter was heartbreaking.
“We were doing their vaccinations and health checkups, and Mom finished first,” MacMurchy explained. “As we led her out to our intake area, the puppies, left without their mother, immediately latched onto each other for comfort because they were so scared.”
Now safe at the shelter, the little family is slowly adjusting to their new environment.
Learning to Trust
“We spend time with them multiple times a day, giving them love and care in a quiet room with a staff member, helping them learn to trust,” MacMurchy said. “They feel more secure when their mother is around, so we work with all three together, as well as separately. It’s a slow process, but they’re gradually learning to build confidence on their own.”
Just days after her rescue, Lady has already shown remarkable progress—eager to meet new people and go on walks. However, her puppies still have a long way to go in their socialization journey.
“Lady is a tail-wagging, wiggly little sweetheart who loves affection,” MacMurchy said. “The puppies aren’t quite there yet. While they are slowly accepting love and attention, they still rely on each other for comfort and confidence.”
With time, patience, and care, Peaches and Layla will learn that they are safe and loved, just like their mother.
