Beneath the rusted metal of an industrial dumpster at a local organic waste facility, a mother lay quietly, curled around her newborns—shielding them from the world, even as it forgot her.
This is Ava.
A beautiful Heeler mix with a coat of freckles and fire, Ava had been surviving on scraps and instinct for who knows how long. By the time someone found her, she had given birth to nine puppies beneath that dumpster. Three were already gone. The remaining six clung to her, and she to them—malnourished, exhausted, and still trying to protect them with everything she had left.
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And she did. Every single puppy that made it out with Ava went on to find a loving, forever home.
Ava raised them, cleaned them, fed them, and kept them warm—even when she had nothing herself. Her journey since then has been one of slow, steady healing under the care of a loving foster. Her gut and immune system were rebuilt. She learned routine. Learned trust. Learned that not every human would leave her behind.
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Now Ava is healthy. House-trained. Loyal. Loving. Her heart still beats like a mother’s—gentle and watchful. But she’s alone.
All her babies are gone. All have found their happy endings.
And she is still waiting for hers.
Due to changes in her foster’s health, Ava now urgently needs a new place to land—a foster or forever home where she can continue the life she’s worked so hard to earn. She thrives with structure and patience. She’s best as an only dog, but she has learned to walk beside others when trust is built. And she comes with lifetime training and coaching support from her rescue community.
Ava has come so far. She’s not perfect—but she is real. And she is ready.
She doesn’t need someone to rescue her. She just needs someone to finally say, “You’re home now.”
If you or someone you know can give Ava the peaceful, loving home she deserves, please reach out. She’s done her part. She’s saved her babies. And now she just needs someone to save her right back.
I also write her story and song for my YouTube Channel TaleTinker001 🎥 https://youtu.be/vkagrjpVyMI?si=IWmw5_IBYzTKRsF- This little girl deserves a happy ending. Comment below for information.
By Christie Urita-Kallsen
