We found Mia wandering down the middle of the street on a freezing day in December, obviously in distress and so exhausted she could hardly stand. We rushed her to our veterinarian at Nacogdoches Animal Hospital.  Besides being cold and tired, she was filthy, hungry, covered in fleas, had sarcoptic mange and was heartworm positive.   She was also pregnant.  

After a bath, a (safe) flea treatment and food, she slept for eight hours. The next morning she went into labor (we’re sure you can imagine, as we do, what would have happened had she not been found when she was). She delivered seven healthy pups; an eighth was stillborn. She was a loving, experienced mother, and took wonderful care of her babies.

We searched for the owner, as did the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter staff, but no one claimed her.

Our rescue was full, but after all this gentle, loving dog had been through, we were committed to saving her and her puppies.  Her intake name was “Momma stray.”  We changed it to Mia, and sent out an urgent plea for a foster.

 We got our Christmas miracle:  Mia and her puppies went into foster care.  She has now recovered fully, and is ready for her own loving home.