They were found just in time.
A Good Samaritan’s quick instincts saved the lives of five puppies abandoned on the side of the road. When they spotted a suspicious trash bag, they decided to pull over — and what they discovered inside was heartbreaking: five tiny pups crammed together, struggling to breathe.
“Someone put them in this bag, they cannot breathe, and throws it next to the road,” Natasa Voulgaropoulou of Hopeland Dog Sanctuary explained in a video for The Dodo. “They could have died.”
If the puppies had gone unnoticed for even a few hours, their fate could have been tragic. Fortunately, the Good Samaritan contacted Voulgaropoulou immediately, and the puppies were transported safely to Hopeland Dog Sanctuary.
At the sanctuary, a cozy, protected corner was prepared just for them, giving the puppies a safe space to rest and recover.
During their five-day quarantine, Voulgaropoulou observed the puppies’ unique personalities emerge. Four of the pups were extremely shy, spending most of their time hiding behind their beds. But one puppy, Loui, was confident from the start, showing his siblings that it was safe to explore and trust the humans caring for them.
“In the days that followed, I stayed close to them, giving them time so they could slowly start to trust and feel safe,” Voulgaropoulou said.
Thanks to Loui’s example, the other four puppies gradually became more comfortable. Now, all five pups enjoy the attention and affection of Hopeland’s staff and volunteers.
As a sanctuary, Hopeland provides lifelong care if needed, but Voulgaropoulou hopes these rescued puppies will soon find their forever homes, where they can continue to thrive and feel loved.