Late one cold night in San Antonio, Texas, Corporal Perry was dispatched to check on a stray pit bull. The caller described the dog as aggressive, barking nonstop at their door.
But when Perry arrived, the scene was nothing like she expected.
“I was expecting a big, scary dog based on what the caller indicated,” Perry told The Dodo. “Instead, I found a scared little girl just trying to stay warm in an abandoned car seat surrounded by trash.”
It was an unusually harsh winter storm, with freezing winds that left even Perry shivering beneath her jacket. The pit bull, later named Martha, had clearly been fending for herself on the streets for some time.
Her ribs showed through her thin coat, and though she didn’t move as Perry approached, her wary glances revealed her uncertainty — was this stranger really going to help her?
Perry placed a warm blanket in her truck and waited. When Martha realized the officer meant safety, she jumped in and wagged her tail, as if relieved. “It was amazing how quickly she came around,” Perry said. “It was like she knew I was there to help her.”
At the shelter, Martha devoured her food and curiously explored a bin of toys, choosing a stuffed bear to cling to. Staff discovered she was underweight, heartworm positive, and had clearly had litters in the past — but now she finally had a chance to heal.
That chance grew when the Mains family, touched by her story, offered to foster her. In their home, Martha has blossomed.
She’s learning manners from her three foster dog siblings, snuggling into bed with her foster parents each night, and trailing them everywhere she goes.
“She doesn’t quite know how to ‘dog’ yet, but she’s learning,” her foster mom said with a laugh.
Martha has also developed a sweet attachment to toys — especially the stuffed bear she picked at the shelter, which still holds pride of place among the many she now “collects” around the house.
While she continues her heartworm treatment and slowly gains weight, Martha is already showing what a devoted companion she’ll be. Soon, she’ll be ready for her forever home — one filled with warmth, love, and soft beds, instead of a cold car seat on the street.
Martha is waiting for the family who will give her the happy ending she deserves.
If you are interested in adopting Martha, you can submit an application here.
