Despite all the love, sometimes it’s just impossible to provide a good home for more than one dog. For some people, it’s about the lack of space. For others, it’s usually the lack of time. And some simply cannot afford to care for so many furry companions.

Rachael Sylvester, the founder of Sidewalk Specials, and her dedicated team know this very well. Throughout their rescuing career, they’ve witnessed many dog owners being forced to give up their pups, even though that was the last thing they wanted.

Recently, they faced this harsh reality once again. This time, it was the sweet pooch, Maria, and her big litter.

They Were So Hungry

During one of their feeding runs, the SS team spotted Maria and her eight puppies on the street. At first, the team assumed that this loving mama was a stray, so they immediately rushed into a rescuing mission.

There was only one problem. Maria, as well as her pups, were so timid that they immediately ran away and hid under one of the houses.

The team tried everything to lure them out, but Maria refused any sort of interaction. She even refused the food, even though both she and her pups were so evidently hungry.

As they tried to help the doggo family, the team discovered a shocking truth. Maria, after all, wasn’t a stray. Her owner soon arrived and met the rescue team, stating that this fearful mama and her pups already had a home.

Then, the owner disclosed another shocking fact. Due to a lack of resources, she wasn’t able to take care of Maria’s pups. She only had room for one dog in her life, and that, sadly, was just the momma.

Despite the harrowing circumstances, the team completely understood the situation. They immediately offered to take in all the pups, especially because they were in desperate need of vet care and proper shelter.

“When we explained that her puppies were sick and needed vet care the family happily helped us catch and carry them to safety,” Sidewalk Specials stated on Facebook.

The owner and Rachael’s team spent some time luring Maria out of her hiding spot. Eventually, she and her pups waddled out. The momma was completely frozen until she eventually realized that she was safe.

“When she came out, she froze like a plank completely. But we just gave her love. I think she realized that she was safe and she was with good people, in good hands,” Rachael told The Dodo.

That was the turning point for the puppies. They were all safely transported to the shelter, from where their new lives began.

Incredible Transformation

It didn’t take long for Maria’s entire litter to feel completely at home in the new environment. The pups were already weaned off mom’s milk and ready to embark upon new life adventures. 

With proper care and lots of TLC, every single one of them grew into a beautiful, Maria-like dog within months. And soon enough, every single one of them found a forever home, too!

“The puppies are all adopted. They’re all healthy. They’re all happy. They’ve all got best friends. And they all look like little versions of Maria,” says Rachael.

Maria, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier in her old home. 

She’s the family’s sweetheart and gets all the love in the world. She and her owners share a beautiful life together, and they feel so grateful for having each other.

Once again, Rachael and her giant-hearted team succeeded! This time, they brought happiness not just to one family, but to nine!