“They had been left … in a cardboard box as if they were tr
A few months ago, in Niš, Serbia, staff member at MISI’s Animal Rescue Ivana Nesic was about to get into her car to return home from work when a little dog ran up to her. The dog clearly needed help — she was skinny and appeared to have been neglected for a long time.
The dog started walking away from Nesic as soon as Nesic tried to approach her. Nesic decided to follow her, and was taken aback by whom she led her to.
A few feet away, Nesic discovered a box full of tiny puppies who clearly belonged to the emaciated dog. She’d been doing her best to take care of her babies, but without access to any food or water, she’d been struggling.
“They had been left next to Ivana’s car in a cardboard box as if they were trash,” Isidora Stevanovic, a staff member at MISI’s Animal Rescue, told The Dodo.
Nesic counted seven babies, all huddled together in the corner of the box. They were shockingly tiny and all still had their eyes closed.
“The puppies were … only a day or two old,” Stevanovic said.
Nesic gave the mama some food and water, then quickly rushed the whole family to get the medical care they needed. Thankfully, other than being hungry and dehydrated, they didn’t have any major health issues.
MISI’s Animal Rescue staff decided to name the mama dog Banana and to name the puppies Aris, Artur, Alfi, Bea, Dina, Ella and Galla. The rescue got in touch with a foster dad for the dogs, who took in all of them and gave them a warm, loving home.
Over the course of three months, the rescuers watched as the dogs grew stronger and their personalities started to shine through. It didn’t take long for the puppies to become rambunctious little balls of energy.
“The puppies are … playful, healthy and happy,” Stevanovic said.
Once all the puppies were weaned, Banana was adopted. A family member of one of the MISI’s Animal Rescue team members fell in love with her sweet personality and decided to give her a forever home.
“The mom has a wonderful character — she is gentle, affectionate, and craving love, touch and attention,” Stevanovic said.
All seven of the now 3-month-old puppies are available for adoption. Everyone at MISI’s Animal Rescue knows they would make perfect additions to any household. After everything they’ve been through, they deserve families who will love and pamper them.