They were only a few hours old.
Late last month in Charles County, Maryland, a passerby made a heartbreaking discovery — a paper towel box left on the roadside with a handwritten plea on top: “Please Help Sorry!”
Curious and concerned, the Good Samaritan looked inside and found seven tiny newborn puppies, barely a few hours old. Without hesitation, they gathered the box and rushed the fragile litter to the Charles County Animal Care Center.
Knowing the pups would require specialized care, the center contacted Hollis Lampe, division manager at St. Mary’s County Animal Services. Lampe immediately agreed to take them in and began bottle-feeding the puppies around the clock.
“Once the initial shock faded, we were just so relieved they’d been found in time,” Lampe told The Dodo.
She hopes others learn from this situation — that help is always available for animals in need. “People don’t have to leave them to fend for themselves,” Lampe said. “Anyone in St. Mary’s County can reach out to us — we’ll always find a way to help.”
While the pups’ first hours were uncertain, their future now looks bright. With the help of Lampe and her three children, the babies are thriving — eating, sleeping, and growing stronger every day.
“For now, their world revolves around milk, naps, and cuddles,” Lampe said with a smile. “At this rate, they’re going to be wonderfully socialized by the time they’re ready for adoption.”
The puppies will stay with Lampe until they’re about six weeks old before moving into foster-to-adopt homes. Once they’re healthy, spayed or neutered, and ready, they’ll officially join their forever families.
Thanks to one compassionate passerby and a dedicated team of rescuers, seven tiny lives that began in a paper towel box now have the chance to grow up surrounded by love.