Animal enthusiasts everywhere have been moved by the touching tale of a homeless, pregnant golden retriever who found herself in dire straits. Luckily, one compassionate woman decided to step in and support this brave dog and her newborn puppies.
On July 25, Stephanie Garcia shared a poignant video on her TikTok account @..auntsteph, revealing the moment she discovered the distressed dog, now named Honey, hidden beneath her home. As she shined a flashlight, she spotted Honey and her tiny newborns.
Taking swift action, Garcia and her daughter crawled on their stomachs to reach the mother and her pups. Honey willingly let them take her puppies, which they wrapped in a warm blanket and brought inside to safety.
Though Honey appeared dirty and infested with fleas, she remained devoted to her puppies as Garcia worked hard to restore the family’s health.
TikTok @..auntsteph
Garcia shared that this heartwarming experience came at a time when she and her daughter were coping with the loss of her brother three years ago. Now, Honey and her pups bring joy and laughter back into their lives.
With updates on their journey shared through videos and a GoFundMe campaign established to support their care, Garcia expressed her commitment to keeping the whole family, given the ample space on their rural property. “I don’t regret leaving my job; these dogs have filled our home with happiness,” she shared.
Encouraged by her TikTok followers to create the GoFundMe, she reflected on how the pups have become a blessing, saying, “I went from never owning dogs to being the proud dog mom of five. They give me purpose.” However, she also voiced concerns about the expenses linked to their care: “I worry about affording vet bills, dog food, and flea treatments, especially since I’m not working right now, but I believe it will all work out.”
As the puppies reach three weeks old, they are becoming playful and are even allowed outside, while Honey is slowly adapting to her new life as a cherished pet.
TikTok @..auntsteph
The initial rescue video touched the hearts of many, amassing 94,000 likes and over 840,000 views, with countless viewers applauding Garcia for her generous actions.
Comments ranged from gratitude for her kindness to outrage at Honey’s previous treatment, with one viewer noting, “Thank you for helping her. Your kindness will be repaid.”
Golden retrievers have consistently ranked as one of America’s favorite dog breeds, coming in third place on the American Kennel Club’s 2023 list, celebrated for their friendly nature and trainability, making them ideal family pets.