Petunia had been living on the streets for some months. She was frequently spotted in a park where she was fed by park-goers, although she mostly lived by herself. This dog was unwilling to be saved without her young pup, who was still too young to open her eyes.
As soon as the Los Angeles-based animal rescue group Hope for Paws learned about Petunia, they went to assist her. She was discovered lost in a parking lot. The dog initially hid under a truck because she was a little afraid of her rescuers.
Even though she didn’t want to, Hope for Paws founder Eldad Agar slid under the truck to save Petunia. Even though Petunia was apprehensive, she knew everything would be okay. She became uncomfortable with her proximity at one point, so she stood up and walked away. When she did, Eldad grasped her leg.
Normally, it’s not a good idea to pick up a scared dog by its paws, but Eldad was afraid Petunia may run away again, and he was frantic to save her. But because Eldad was quick to respond and had a lot of expertise, he was able to get Petunia out. He seemed to understand that she was now protected even if she was still terrified.
Once Petunia was in their arms and secure, they understood why she had been so anxious. Petunia was lactating, so it turns out that she had a pup somewhere nearby.
Three-day-old baby Petunia was found on a pile of leaves next to some shrubs. Petunia gave her the name Petals and was transported back to her mother right away, which substantially reduced her concern. Then they took Petunia to search the area for more puppies. Eldad recorded a video of a crying puppy to see if Petunia would take it to another dog hiding nearby, but each time she watched the video, Petunia took the dog. Always went to Petals.
This heartwarming story showcases the incredible bond between a mother dog and her young pup. Petunia’s unwillingness to leave her pup behind highlights the strong maternal instincts of dogs, which is something we can all admire. It also shows the dedication and expertise of animal rescue groups like Hope for Paws, who are willing to go to great lengths to save animals in need. We can all learn from their example and do our part to help animals in our communities.
