She never gave up on them — or herself.
Concerned neighbors connected through a local lost pets Facebook group, determined to locate where the dog had been sheltering. On a freezing day in November, a few residents followed her tracks into a wooded area. There, beneath a tree, they saw her small face peeking out from a makeshift den.
But she wasn’t alone.
Hidden behind her were five tiny newborn puppies, curled together for warmth. Startled by the unfamiliar people, the mama dog bolted. Fearing the worst as temperatures dropped, the rescuers carefully gathered the puppies and brought them somewhere warm for the night. After midnight, they returned to the woods — and found the devoted mother waiting in the same spot. That night, she was reunited with her babies.
Safe At Woodgreen Pets Charity
The rescuers contacted Woodgreen Pets Charity, and a volunteer collected the little family the next day.
At the shelter, staff quickly saw how hard the mother — later named Fern — had worked to keep her pups alive. Though she was underweight and clearly exhausted, her puppies were healthy and well cared for.
“Fern had clearly cared for them beautifully,” the charity shared on Facebook. “But she was very underweight, so our team gradually increased her food to help her regain strength.”
Estimated to be around 2 years old, Fern slowly recovered while nursing her litter. The puppies — just three weeks old — were named Ash, Chestnut, Acorn, Blossom and Maple, inspired by the tree that had sheltered them.
A Fresh Start In Foster Care
Although Fern had a microchip, it couldn’t be traced to an owner. Staff suspect she was abandoned after someone realized she was pregnant.
Despite everything, Fern never gave up — and neither did her rescuers. A foster family welcomed all six dogs, and the puppies began to flourish. Still, Fern found it difficult to adjust to indoor life and new surroundings.
To help her build confidence, she moved in with behavior specialist Ciara Pollen, who introduced her to a calm, well-adjusted resident dog.
“For Fern, living alongside a balanced dog can make a huge difference,” Pollen explained. “Nervous dogs often learn by watching other dogs.”
Gradually, Fern’s anxiety eased. She grew more relaxed and confident each day. Meanwhile, her puppies adapted quickly to home life, showing resilience and curiosity despite their rough start outdoors.
Happily Ever After
Eventually, loving forever homes were found for each member of the family. Fern and her puppy Blossom were adopted together, ensuring the devoted mom wouldn’t have to say goodbye to all of her babies. Another pup — now named Ebi — joined a household that already had a Shiba Inu companion.
Ebi’s new family describes him as energetic, mischievous and full of personality — a joyful whirlwind who keeps everyone smiling.
After surviving the cold woods and raising five puppies on her own, Fern can finally rest. She spent months protecting her babies against the odds. Now, she has a family ready to protect and care for her — just as she always deserved.