A rescue organization based in Memphis, Streetdog Foundation, was alerted about a distressed mother dog and her puppies, along with an injured father dog, living beneath a historic mansion in the Victorian Village area of Memphis.
Upon receiving this heartbreaking information, the volunteer team quickly mobilized, fully aware of the critical situation surrounding the family.
The mother dog was gravely ill, the father dog severely injured and struggling for survival, while the puppies were infested with adult fleas, indicating that they were in dire need of help.
The entire rescue operation proved to be a formidable challenge, but the committed volunteers were resolute in their efforts to rescue this vulnerable furry family.
Introducing The Victorian Village Pups
The mother dog – a German Shepherd later named Victoria – was extremely thin and terrified.
The rescuers began by trying to slowly build her trust through treats and food. Their objective was to establish a bond that would enable them to eventually locate the puppies hidden in a crevice beneath the historic mansion.
Reaching them was a daunting task since they were concealed deep within the mansion.
Ultimately, the team successfully rescued five lovely puppies who were infested with fleas and in urgent need of veterinary assistance.
Meanwhile, the father dog remained unresponsive while the mother dog stood guard over him.
After more hours of rescue efforts, Victoria, the mother dog, was finally secured.
She was in critical condition due to malnutrition, and they quickly took her to the vet for fluids and to help her recover.
However, the father dog had lodged himself in a space within the crawl space that was completely unreachable by the rescuers.
“We made every effort but cannot access him. We understand he’s frightened, and in moments like these, we wish we could assure dogs that they will be alright. We have left food and water under the house for him and plan to return early tomorrow morning,” stated Streetdog Foundation in a post on Facebook post.
The Rescue of Papa Dog James Lee
The next morning, the rescuers went back for the papa dog, who they named James Lee, only to discover that he was no longer beneath the mansion.
However, he had consumed the food they had left behind, offering them a slight hope for his safety.
“We have blocked the access to the crawl space and set up a humane trap with monitoring cameras. Volunteers are actively searching for him and keeping an eye on the trap. This rescue has proven to be both physically and emotionally exhausting, and our goal is to reunite this family so they can begin their new chapter,” the rescue stated.
After what felt like an eternity, James Lee was finally rescued. He was severely injured, exhibited a deep fear of humans, and needed ample time to adjust; however, he was at last reunited with his little family.
Once the family was together and safely cared for at the veterinary clinic, the rescue team couldn’t help but feel emotional.
There were many highs and lows throughout this rescue journey, but fortunately, the dogs were safe together, and their future was no longer a concern for them.
The Recovery Journey
Sadly, Victoria tested positive for heartworm, but she remained a devoted mother, eating well to nourish her puppies.
The veterinarian planned to start her treatment once the puppies were weaned.
“She has four boys: Woodruff, McIntyre, Adams, and Gideon, and her only daughter is Fontaine,” noted the rescue.
As for James Lee, he also tested positive for heartworm, and he had a paw injury that, according to the vet, required amputation.
The team at Grace Animal Hospital was optimistic that James Lee would adapt well and live a joyful and healthy life as a tri-paw.
And they were right. After James Lee’s surgery, he was more cheerful than ever, moving as if nothing had changed.
Meanwhile, the puppies thrived, eating well and growing rapidly, soon to be ready for adoption.
Heading To Forever Homes
The Streetdog Foundation successfully placed all five puppies into loving forever homes, ensuring they will be well cared for throughout their lives.
James Lee was also adopted by the person who had become his favorite companion. From the moment of his rescue to his recovery, one dedicated volunteer was consistently by his side.
“Once he could move to a foster home, she knew she had to take him. She adjusted her apartment to suit him, slept beside him in his crate when he was anxious, and guided him on how to exist as a cherished family member,” noted the rescue in a post.
James Lee now enjoys a loving home with his new mom and two feline companions, Lynx and Hopper—one of whom is also a tri-paw, just like him.
While I wish I could say the same for the mother dog, Victoria, unfortunately, her story did not have a happy ending.
Shortly after her rescue, Victoria received a diagnosis of canine brucellosis, which is a contagious illness to both other animals and humans.
The resulting complications were acute and severe, and her suffering was immense, leaving no viable treatment options available. She passed away surrounded by people who had adopted and cherished her.
“As she held her paw, she was told about all her puppies being safe and in loving homes. James Lee’s foster mother was also present, informing Victoria about his journey and the love he received,” the rescue shared in their memorial post.
