It was only a matter of time....

We always knew, living out in the country, and being the total sucker I am for anything canine, that this would happen. One of the first lessons I learned when we moved here was how many strays there are out here. In the country, dogs roam everywhere. Most are owned by people who let them run free but this is also a prime spot for people to dump their dogs. I had to learn not to want to bring in every stray I see. That every dog running around may or may not be homeless. Heck, I even thought I was doing well. I would see a dog out loose and just drive on by, even against my strong will to stop. But today was a different day.

Today just started out strange. Our dog Cookie came in from her morning rounds with a nasty wound on her back paw. It seems she may have gotten tangled up in wire, or maybe even a barbed wire fence and forced herself free. There is good size chunk of her foot gone along with a nasty, deep cut. So Gabe and I washed and dressed it as best we could and decide watch her closely in case she needed to go to the vet.

With this little escapade, I am already running late. I rush out the door and head down the road, dreaming about what size diet coke I am going to have today. Up ahead, I see what looks to be a couple of dogs close to the road. I slow down in case I have to avoid hitting them. This is a regular occurance, so I didn't think much of it. But as I got closer to them, I start to realize there are more than just a couple of dogs. Its two adults and a whole litter of pups. And big pups at that! I keep on driving, wondering what that all could mean. This isn't right! Something in my head is screaming at me to turn around. I make a U turn and pull into the field they are in. Immediately the mom comes running to the car, tail wagging. Her pups following. Dad is cautiously staying at a distance. I have no food in the car so I pull out what I had to eat for breakfast. Raisin Bran. Mom is starving and takes the food. But she won't let me get too close. By this time, another good samaritan stops to help me. I am able to grab a pup and take it to my car. After several trys I am able to grab 4 pups, but not mom. Finally mom, dad and the 2 remaining pups run away. Reluctantly, I had to let them go.

So here I am with 4 pups. The local animal shelter tells me they can't help because we are outside the city limits. I call Gabe and tell him I am on my way home with 4 puppies in the back seat. We set them up in the horse stall in the barn. They are cold, wet and very scared.
I am a muddy mess, so I clean up and head back to work. As I am passing by the field again, lo and behold, there is mom, dad and the 2 pups!! Darn it!! So I stop again, and make one last desperate attempt at getting mom. I get very, very close, but am unable to do it. However, I am able to grab one more exhausted puppy. Whew! Back to the barn! I finally make it to work to make some calls around to the shelters and rescue groups. Everyone is full. I am having no luck. What are we going to do with 5 pups??!! We start preparing to foster them indefinitely. On the way home, I make a call to my fellow good samaritan, Kristy, to give her an update and let her know I still had the pups. Within minutes I get a call back from her. She says she knows a woman who runs a rescue and can take the pups tomorrow! Great news!

I head to the barn to check on the pups and feed them. They have settled in quite nicely and are not scared little pups anymore! I am almost sorry to see them go.

Here is some video as I walk in. They didn't know I was there at first. Super cute...

This is one of the shy guys.

Big Red. Gorgeous dog. Gabe and I really liked him. He was the leader of the pack.

The was my favorite of the bunch. Little Runtie. If we were to keep one it would be a hard choice between Runtie and Red.
I am sure this is the first of many more rescues to come. This is something we just have to learn to accept out here in the sticks. I am just so happy we were able to get these little guys. As hard as to was to steal them away from their mom, I know that we did the right thing. Cars, coyotes, anything out here can get a little puppy. And mom would have a hard time protecting all of them. I just hope someone can help save the others we didn't get.

Plus, I am a firm believer in the old saying "everything happens for a reason". The woman who helped me today turns out to be my neighbor! She lives across the street from us! Now, I have to think that is more than just coincidence!?...