A farmworker outside Fresno, California, was going about his usual morning when something unusual caught his eye. As he drove along a quiet rural road between wide stretches of farmland, he noticed a tiny family of Chihuahuas huddled together on a blanket at the roadside.
Concerned, he pulled over. As he stepped closer, he realized one of the dogs — the father — was injured. Without hesitation, he contacted Fresno Humane Animal Services for help.
Animal control officers arrived quickly and found the heartbreaking scene: two frightened puppies, a pregnant mother, and a wounded dad, all trembling with fear.
“The mom was the first one to take the leap of faith and come up to us,” officer Priscilla Wolcott told The Dodo.
Wolcott determined that the father’s injury appeared to be a bite wound, possibly from a coyote or another dog. Judging by their condition, the little family had likely been abandoned the night before and left to survive on their own.
“I’m sure Dad was protecting the family,” Wolcott said. “And he made it out alive.”
The officers gently gathered the terrified group and transported them to safety. But just 30 minutes after arriving at the shelter, something incredible happened — the mama began giving birth.
Despite the stress and fear she’d endured, she delivered four healthy puppies. While she rested with her now family of six, the injured father was rushed to a veterinary clinic.
Animal Compassion Team, a local rescue organization, stepped in and offered to take in the mother and all six of her puppies. They’ll stay with the rescue until the babies are weaned and everyone is healthy enough to be fixed.
Meanwhile, Hazel’s House Rescue took in the dad and gave him a name: Kaliska. At first, his condition was uncertain, and rescuers worried he might not pull through. But with intensive medical care and unconditional love from his foster mama, Kaliska slowly began to heal.
“Now he is pretty much like any other dog,” Brittany Hazel, founder of Hazel’s House Rescue, said. “You'd never know the trauma he endured.”
His foster mom fell completely in love with him — so much so that she chose to adopt him permanently.
“He has new parents, a cattle dog sister, and several feline siblings,” Hazel shared.
The rest of the rescued dogs are still waiting for their happy endings. Anyone interested in adopting one of the pups can contact Animal Compassion Team to learn more.
And for those who want to help animals like this brave Chihuahua family, donations can be made to Fresno Humane Animal Services, Animal Compassion Team, or Hazel’s House Rescue.
