Winter is the toughest time for stray dogs struggling to survive outdoors. Without shelter or proper food, many battle the freezing temperatures just to stay alive.
In St. Louis, Missouri, a group of compassionate rescuers discovered a family of stray dogs sheltering in an abandoned house.
With no warmth, food, or proper shelter, the mother dog and her puppies were on the brink of survival. Cold, hungry, and desperate, all they needed was a safe and cozy place to call home.
The Last-Minute Miracle
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Donna Lochmann, a veteran rescuer with Stray Rescue of St. Louis, received a tip from a local about a pregnant dog living in an abandoned house nearby.
“We followed paw prints through the snow to an abandoned building where a Good Samaritan said they saw a pregnant dog. The single-digit freezing temperatures were dangerous and could be deadly for newborns,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared on Facebook.
Without hesitation, Donna and her team rushed to the location. After carefully searching the abandoned house, they finally spotted the mother dog curled up in a corner—protecting her six tiny puppies.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
To their surprise, the brave mother had already given birth and was doing everything she could to keep her puppies warm despite the freezing temperatures.
“Our fingers and toes hurt from the cold—we can’t believe this resilient little family survived as long as they did,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared on Facebook.
The tiny puppies huddled against their mother, shivering and seeking warmth, but the abandoned house was simply too cold for them to survive much longer.
Off To A New Start
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Following their plan, Donna and the team gently leashed the mother first, hoping her puppies would follow. Though hesitant and fearful at first, she quickly relaxed once she sensed they were there to help.
The brave mother, later named Grammys, was safely rescued along with her six tiny, award-worthy puppies—each given a symbolic name: Emmys, Oscars, SAG, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Tonys.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
After a thorough checkup at the vet, the entire family was placed in a loving foster home, where they finally received the warmth and care they desperately needed.
The moment their tiny paws touched a cozy space, they began to relax, slowly coming out of their shells. For the first time in their lives, these sweet pups experienced the comfort of a safe and loving home—and they absolutely adored it.
“Look how cozy and spread out they are now that they are safe and warm in a foster home. That abandoned house they were in felt even colder than the freezing air outside,” the Stray Rescue of St. Louis team shared on Facebook.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
The foster family is dedicated to giving these rescued dogs all the love and care they need. After everything they’ve endured, it will take time for them to learn to trust and feel comfortable around humans—but with patience and kindness, they’ll get there.
Once Grammys and her puppies have fully recovered and grown strong, they will be ready for adoption.
With a little luck, their next stop will be a loving family and a forever home filled with warmth, care, and endless adventures!