Although Starving, Abandoned Dog Manages To Feed 8 Pups

TAMPA, FL -- The Humane Society of Tampa Bay rescued a malnourished dog and her eight puppies on Friday after a caller reported seeing a frail, thin dog in a field on Hanna Avenue in Tampa.

Humane Society community outreach coordinator Darlene Esposito answered the call and immediately set out with lead kennel attendant Crystal Lufriu and foster care coordinator Dana Johnson to find the dog.

When they arrived at the field. the dog was nowhere in sight. However, they noticed a shed on the property and, when they approached it, they could hear small cries and whimpers inside. The shed was locked but Esposito saw there was a small hole beneath it.

When she looked through the hole, she discovered the source of the whimpers and cries -- eight puppies about 14 days old.

They pulled all of the puppies from beneath the shed and took them to the Humane Society's medical suite to be assessed. However, they weren't able to coax the mother out so they returned that night and set up a live trap.

The next morning, they discovered the mother dog safely inside the trap and were able to reunite her with her pups.

The mother was malnourished and in need of medical attention but she somehow managed to feed her puppies so they were all healthy. The Human Society employees named the mom, Winter, and her puppies Wanda, Wilbur, Whoopi, Waldo, Wren, Willa, Wade and Winnie.

The society is now attempting to place the family together in a foster home.

Video via Humane Society of Tampa Bay

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