They say timing is everything—and for one California couple, perfect timing turned into a life-saving mission they never expected.
While hiking near a creek, they were startled by strange noises coming from nearby.
Curiosity led them closer, and what they discovered was shocking—a mother dog giving birth to three tiny puppies, all alone in the wilderness.
A Call for Help
Realizing the urgency, the couple called for help immediately. A rescuer named Thom McCallum from Berkeley, California, arrived without delay and took the entire little family into his care.
The puppies were safe, but the real challenge was just beginning. The mother dog, later named Ruby, was incredibly timid and wary of human contact.
Rebuilding Trust
Ruby’s past was clearly filled with hardship. Despite Thom’s best efforts to make her feel safe, she remained guarded.
While caring for Ruby’s puppies around the clock was the easy part, gaining Ruby’s trust was much harder.
She had been let down before and needed time to heal both physically and emotionally.
But Thom didn’t give up. Day by day, Ruby began to open up. She slowly realized he meant no harm, and her walls began to crumble.
A Transformation
As Ruby’s puppies grew stronger, so did her confidence. For the first time, she experienced the warmth of a loving touch.
With patience and care, Ruby completely transformed. Her tail wagged more, her eyes softened, and she began to crave affection from Thom.
Thriving Together
It took a few months, but Ruby blossomed into the most affectionate companion. She followed Thom everywhere, never wanting to be apart from him.
“Ruby won’t leave my side. She goes everywhere I go. She’s really thriving now,” Thom shared.
The family trained together, played in their spacious yard, and even learned to enjoy walks.
New Beginnings
When the puppies were finally old enough, Thom ensured each one found a loving forever home nearby.
Jax and Kirby were adopted by families just a few miles away, while Tito, Ruby’s third pup, found a home right next door!
To keep the family connected, Thom and his neighbor even modified their fence, adding a gate so Ruby and Tito could visit each other often.
Ruby, however, had already found her forever home—with Thom!
A New Purpose
Ruby’s nurturing nature didn’t fade after her puppies found homes. Thom realized she would make the perfect foster mom.
Together, they began fostering other dogs in need, including tiny puppies who needed extra love.
Ruby even gained a forever buddy, Pogo, a puppy rescued after being hit by a car and losing a leg. Pogo adjusted beautifully, and the pair became inseparable.
A Happy Ending
Now settled in a larger home in Berkeley with Thom and his girlfriend, Ruby and Pogo are living their best lives.
With plenty of space to play, nap, and share cozy moments, Ruby has everything she once lacked—love, safety, and a forever family.
Once an abandoned mother afraid to trust, Ruby now knows nothing but warmth, kindness, and a life filled with love.