Late last month in Charles County, Maryland, a passerby noticed something unusual along the side of a quiet road — a paper towel box with a handwritten message scrawled across the top:
“Please Help Sorry!”
Curious and concerned, the Good Samaritan carefully lifted the lid — and gasped. Inside were seven tiny newborn puppies, barely a few hours old, their eyes still closed and their bodies pressed together for warmth.
Without hesitation, the passerby scooped up the entire box and rushed it to the Charles County Animal Care Center. Shelter staff quickly realized the fragile pups would need expert, round-the-clock care, so they reached out to Hollis Lampe, division manager at St. Mary’s County Animal Services.
Lampe immediately agreed to take them in.
“Once the initial angst faded, most of the staff — myself included — were just really relieved that the puppies were found in a timely manner,” Lampe told The Dodo.
While everyone was grateful the puppies had been rescued, Lampe couldn’t help but think about how easily things could’ve gone another way. Puppies that young should never be separated from their mother — ideally staying with her for at least eight weeks, according to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
“We want to be clear with people that they don’t have to resort to leaving animals out to fend for themselves,” Lampe said. “Citizens of St. Mary’s County can call us, and we will help — one way or another.”
Back home, Lampe and her three children took turns caring for the puppies around the clock — feeding them every few hours, cleaning them, and keeping them warm.
“Right now, the puppies are mostly focused on eating and sleeping and don’t have much activity other than snuggling and squeaking when hungry,” Lampe said. “But at this rate, they’re going to be very well socialized with kids when they’re ready for adoption.”
If all continues to go well, the little ones will stay with Lampe until they’re about six weeks old, then move into foster-to-adopt homes. Once they’re spayed or neutered, they’ll officially begin their next chapter — as beloved family dogs.
From a paper towel box on the roadside to a home filled with love and care, these seven puppies are now safe, thriving, and looking forward to bright new beginnings.
To help more animals like them, donations can be made to St. Mary’s County Animal Services through their Amazon wish list.
