When school teacher Rebecca noticed Olivia and Sherlock wandering the streets of Central California in search of food, she felt an immediate pull to help.
Olivia kept her distance, shy and cautious.
But Sherlock, more outgoing, quickly warmed up to her. Rebecca gained his trust—and a suspicion that this bonded pair was hiding something.
She was determined to find out what it was… and bring them to safety.
Discovering The Puppies’ Secret Den
To find out where Olivia and Sherlock were staying, Rebecca placed a GPS tracker on Sherlock.
That’s when she uncovered the secret: the two dogs were hiding eight tiny puppies nearby.
She contacted Hope For Paws and asked for help.
Since Sherlock had been hit by a car while scavenging for food, Rebecca also requested medication for his injury.
Eldad and the team set off on a four-hour drive to meet them.
They arrived after dark and gave Sherlock his medicine, choosing to wait until morning for the rescue—so they wouldn’t scare the little family.
At dawn, Rebecca and the team returned to the den, ready to bring the pups to safety.
Eldad began feeding Olivia and Sherlock, earning their trust step by step.
The puppies kept their distance, unsure of what was happening.
The Rescue Begins
The team built a large enclosure and gently coaxed the adult dogs inside.
They placed a crate inside, offering food and calm voices. Slowly, they moved in with a net.
Olivia, sensing the trap, panicked and tried to flee—but the rescuers managed to safely slip a leash around her and place her in a crate.
With Olivia and Sherlock secure, the team turned their attention to the puppies.
They had never seen humans before and were frightened.
One brave puppy surrendered quickly. The rest stayed hidden in their den.
Hoping to calm them, the rescuers brought Olivia close to the den.
Seeing their mom, the pups slowly emerged and approached her.
One final puppy fled into the shadows, too afraid to follow.
But Eldad soon heard his cries and found him tucked away, calling for his mom.
He gently scooped him up and placed him with his family.
A Safe New Beginning
The whole family was taken to the vet for food, baths, and checkups.
Because they were born near farmland, the rescuers named them Strawberry, Cherry, Kiwi, Clementine, Peaches, Mango, Lemon, and Banana.
Sherlock’s X-ray showed a dislocated hip. He would need surgery.
Three days later, Olivia and her pups were relaxed and happy—playing, resting, and learning to trust.
Before his surgery, Sherlock reunited with Olivia and their little ones. It was a joyful moment.
LA Animal Rescue took in the entire family to foster them together.
Olivia, Sherlock, and their sweet pups now have a new chance at life. Their future is filled with love—and it’s only just beginning.