Nine Lives Saved in Lavonia: Mama Dog and 8 Puppies Found Alive in the Woods!

Sometimes, life has a way of turning heartbreak into hope. A wonderful couple in FairPlay, who had been searching for their beloved dog Ellie Mae for over two months, received a tip that reignited their efforts. At least three people called, convinced they’d spotted Ellie near a wooded area in Lavonia, GA. Clinging to hope, they set up a camera in the woods to confirm the sighting.

When the footage came in, their hopes were dashed—once again, it wasn’t Ellie. But there was something about the strikingly similar white dog that captured their attention. As they watched her on camera, they noticed a telling detail: she was nursing. Somewhere nearby, this mama dog’s puppies were waiting, and the couple knew they couldn’t leave her behind.

Determined to rescue her and her puppies, the couple began feeding the mother dog, slowly earning her trust. However, finding the puppies proved to be a challenge—they could be anywhere in the dense woods. Then, the breakthrough came: faint cries led them to the den, where eight tiny heads peeked out from the brush!

As the man reached in to retrieve the puppies, a low growl startled him—it was mama, fiercely protective of her babies. Realizing the risk, he backed off, determined to keep her calm and try trapping her again. Later that day, success! Mama was safely trapped, but when they returned to the den, only four puppies remained.

Heartbroken but not giving up, the couple reached out for reinforcements. Volunteers, including members of The Paw Project, combed the woods for hours through briars and brush, but the other puppies were nowhere to be found.

That’s when Anakin’s Trails got involved. Armed with baited food stations and cameras, we worked into the rainy night, hoping to spot any sign of the missing pups. By morning, there was still no movement, and doubt began to creep in. But the couple refused to give up.

Then, a miracle: a notification from the camera! Four tiny figures appeared on the screen—the missing puppies, alive and exactly as described! With mama dog now in their care, we suggested bringing her to the woods to coax her puppies out. Skeptical but hopeful, we watched as she stepped into the clearing. To everyone’s surprise, the puppies came running to her, tails wagging and ready to nurse!

It was a moment of pure joy: all nine lives saved, thanks to the dedication of so many people. Mama and her puppies were brought to safety and immediately taken to their first vet appointment, where they were vaccinated and dewormed.

These resilient pups will be cared for under The Paw Project, and in honor of their journey, they’ll be named after different types of trees to remember their woodland beginnings. 🌲🐶

If you’d like to support The Paw Project and contribute to the care of this incredible family, please visit their page to donate: https://www.thepawprojectrescue.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2nh9iuhxBaMK9NEJForuFIFIu7zqNl82mvXfaCj7lu3v9_HSiBe8s_Dl4_aem_esQ3ZwpxXDluvxULoHb-JQ. Your kindness makes rescues like this possible! 🐾❤️

Welcome to your new lives, mama and puppies. No more cold nights in the woods—you’re safe now! 🛋️🐶