When a record-breaking snowstorm hit Texas last month, most people rushed indoors to escape the bitter cold. But in the middle of that deep freeze, a young mother dog was desperately trying to keep her newborns alive in a park.
Dog trainer Mayra Luna first heard about the little family through a Facebook message. Someone had spotted a mama and her litter abandoned in the snow. Luna didn’t hesitate — she grabbed her things and headed straight there, bracing herself for what she might find.
Following a trail of paw prints through the snow, she soon came across a sight that stopped her in her tracks: a handful of days-old puppies, their eyes still sealed shut, huddled together in the cold.
To her surprise, the tiny pups weren’t frail. Against all odds, they were plump, warm, and healthy, thanks to their mother’s tireless devotion.
“My first reaction was relief,” Luna told The Dodo. “I figured I would find them in a frail state, but their mom had done such a tremendous job of keeping them warm and fed.”
The mama seemed to know help had finally arrived. Tail wagging, she ran straight up to Luna.
“Noticing her friendly demeanor, I opened the hatch of my car where I had a kennel and asked her to jump in,” Luna said. “To my surprise, she jumped in with little hesitation.”
One by one, Luna scooped up the newborns, wrapping them in a towel and keeping them close together for warmth. With the whole family safely tucked inside, she whispered reassurances: “I have your babies. You’re safe now. You’ve done such a fantastic job.”
Back at Luna’s home, the little family finally began to heal. The puppies had mild frostbite on their toes, while their mom, starving and desperate, had been eating plastic and foil to survive. With proper food, warmth, and care, they began to thrive.
Within days, the mama — now named Ember — started to gain weight and even discovered the joy of toys. Her puppies, whom Luna lovingly calls the “Winter Warriors,” grew stronger each day, delighting everyone with new milestones: eyes opening, tails wagging, tiny heads tilting at the sound of footsteps.
“They hit new milestones each day,” Luna said. “Watching them grow has truly been a blessing.”
Each puppy carries a name inspired by fire: Phoenix, Pyra, Kindle, Spark, and Cinder — a tribute to their resilience in the snow.
When the pups are old enough, Ember and her babies will be available for adoption through Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue. After surviving the storm together, they all deserve the warmth of forever homes.
To support the Winter Warriors, you can buy something from their Amazon wishlist.
