On October 19, 2009, the world changed for a momma dog when 8 beautiful babies were born under a concrete slab in the Stockyards. Momma (now known as Stella) knew it would be a challenge to protect her babies from the elements – and predators.  But she was prepared to do whatever it took to save them.

Each day she would travel far from her kids to Cattleman’s Steakhouse – looking for food to provide strength for her and her children.

She did this daily.

Fast forward 3 weeks. I received a call that a momma dog was showing up at Cattleman’s but no babies were in sight. I began to meet her there at 4:15 daily. She would eat 3-4 cans of food, and then leave as quickly as she came to get back to her babies. I followed her down the same path for a week. The next week the path changed. I followed her for another week. On a Sunday night, I followed her to an area behind a locked fence. I heard babies crying…..

The next day, I called the owner of the property and asked if he would let me in. He said yes. I called my friend Brenda with Dogs As Family and asked if she would meet me there.

Once inside, we searched all the buildings and surrounding areas. Suddenly the owner of the property said “I found them”. There they were…1 little head, 2 little heads, 3 little heads all popping up from under the buckled concrete slab. Mom had made them a nice den. As I opened a can of food, they came running. Brenda fed them as I went to get my crate….when I came back – Brenda was surrounded by 8 beautiful, hungry puppies. Momma had done the very best she could but the babies were now about 5 weeks old and needed more than Momma could provide.

Each was loaded into my crate – Momma watching from afar. We told her we would take good care of her babies – and asked her to please go with us – but she wasn’t ready.

We took the babies to the clinic where they received their first round of shots, checked for worms and given a “once over”. Healthy babies – very social! Did I say what a good Momma they have???

The puppies spent the next week with me. Fortunately, I was on vacation that week so we got to spend lots of time together. They are each individual in their own way – and such good babies.

They have now moved on to a foster home where they are learning house manners – just waiting the day when they can go to their forever home.

They are not old enough yet to write their own story, but when they are, I’ll send an update.

Stella has lived at the Stockyards for 2 years according to those who work there - having litter after litter. We plan to humanely trap her, rehabilitate her and find her a loving home that she is so deserving of.

If you would be interested in meeting one of the babies, please contact me at kimpempin@cox.net.