The day had been quiet when a small animal rescue group received a call that changed everything. Someone had found a mother dog and several newborn puppies inside a dumpster behind some shops. They had been thrown away as if they did not matter at all.
When cofounder Simone Belser of Protect Animals Worldwide heard what happened, she reacted immediately. She grabbed her supplies, got in her car, and drove straight to the location. When she lifted the heavy lid of the dumpster, she froze at what she saw.
A Heartbreaking Scene Inside the Dumpster
In the corner of the dumpster, a young pit bull mother dog was curled up tightly around her puppies. The puppies were so tiny that their bellies rose and fell with soft, shaky breaths. Their skin was still pink from birth. Trash bags, plastic pieces, and buzzing flies surrounded them.
Simone could tell the puppies had only been alive for a few hours. They were too young to keep themselves warm. If no one helped them, they would not survive the night. The mother dog, who would later be named Regina, tried her best to shield them with her body, but she could not keep them safe in a metal bin filled with cold air and garbage.
Simone knew she had to get them out quickly.
Rushing Them to Safety
She lifted each tiny puppy one at a time and wrapped them in soft blankets. The puppies felt cold and weak. Regina watched closely, then allowed Simone to help her out of the dumpster, too. She followed her babies with worried eyes the entire time.
Simone drove straight to the rescue’s emergency clinic. The staff was already preparing for them and knew the puppies were in danger. Newborn puppies need warmth and constant care. These puppies had spent the beginning of their lives in a freezing metal dumpster.
The vet team worked fast. They warmed the puppies, rubbed their small bodies, and tried everything to get them to respond. Regina stood nearby the whole time. She shook with fear and exhaustion, but she refused to look away from her babies.
A Mother Who Never Gave Up
After a few tense hours, the puppies began to show signs of life. They wiggled a little and made tiny sounds. Soon they were able to nurse with help from the staff and their mother dog.
As the team continued caring for them, they realized the family had probably been in the dumpster longer than expected. The puppies’ skin was wrinkled from being cold. Regina and the pups had a strong garbage smell, indicating they had been stuck there for quite some time. Their whole world during their first hours of life had been that dirty metal bin.
Even so, Regina kept them alive with her warmth and her determination to protect them.
Weeks of Healing and Growing
Over the next few weeks, the clinic became a safe home for the little family. The puppies grew stronger every day. Soon they began walking around on unsteady legs and exploring their surroundings.
Regina stayed close to them. She greeted staff members carefully and kindly, but always kept her gaze on her puppies. She had a gentle, patient way about her. Everyone who worked with her saw how deeply she cared for her children.
When the puppies were finally old enough, they were placed for adoption. Families were excited to give them a loving home. Watching them leave was both happy and sad. Each adoption was a wonderful moment, but it also meant Regina had fewer pups to look after. She often sat quietly afterward, seeming unsure of what came next.
Regina Still Needs a Loving Home
Today, all five puppies are living safely in warm homes with people who adore them. They are growing fast and enjoying healthy, everyday lives.
Regina is still waiting for the same chance. Her rescuers say she has a soft personality and gentle eyes. She watches people as if trying to figure out whether they can be trusted. After what she went through, it makes sense that she needs time and patience.
Regina needs an adopter who understands that healing takes time. She has already shown how strong and loyal she is. Now she needs someone who can offer her comfort, stability, and kindness.
Regina is currently in Brazil under the care of Protect Animals Worldwide. The rescue is willing to arrange adoptions for families in the United States as well. They want her to end up in a home where she will be loved and respected.
This brave mother kept her puppies alive in a place no animal should ever be left. Now she deserves a warm bed, gentle hands, and a family who will show her she is safe for the rest of her life.
Regina is ready for someone to choose her. And when that happens, she will give them the same love and loyalty she gave her puppies when they needed her most.
