Dehydrated. Exhausted. Helpless. Puppies easily hold a special place in most people’s hearts at the best of times, but for our Lucky Dog volunteers who had arrived in Puerto Rico that weekend, it was a sight they would never forget. The K puppies first saw us as they did most people, as another car that did not see them, as another car driving by an open field where they lay fighting for their lives. But, they never gave up hope, and when we spotted them from the van we knew we had to act. Rushing them to the vet, we were able to save all 5 K puppies (the 6th unfortunately had already passed away). But this was just the beginning of their story.

The K puppies, like so many of Lucky Dog’s puppies, had an entire rescue family behind them. Rooting for them each step of the way, we clapped when they completed the vetting required for puppies to travel to the US mainland, we cheered when they arrived in DC, and we were thrilled to meet them in person at their first adoption event.

These puppies are not the small 12 week old puppies that are sought out by people looking for the smallest, cutest and most helpless of puppies – but they are just as special. Every day they do something new that inspires the hearts of our fosters and rescuers - something that is worth celebrating – and the joy of watching Kapua, Knone and Keola learn how to play in a backyard with their foster siblings the other day was something truly magical to behold.

At first they stepped out tentatively – after all the world before had been at best indifferent, at worst dangerous and deadly. They watched confused and in awe as their foster siblings confidently chased balls and squeaky toys around the yard. But, one by one they tested their footing, confirming with each step that they were in a safe space and were finally free from fear. One by one they began to walk faster, until all of a sudden they were running and playing like they never wanted to stop.

And then, it happened. People say that dogs don’t smile, but they do. Kapua found her smile that afternoon. Safe, content and full of hope in the bright future that awaits her and all of her siblings with Lucky Dog, Kapua’s journey has just begun, and we are so proud to be with her each and every step of the way.