Pregnant Missouri Dog Kept Backing Away From Every Leash, So The Woman Tried Something Different

A Missouri animal lover proves that patience saves lives, first by befriending a watchful stray, and then by rescuing a pregnant dog just in time.

Watching From Afar

It started with a silent observer at the edge of the property. A timid stray dog would stand out by the trees, just watching the house from afar.

She was incredibly cautious, keeping her distance while paying close attention to how the resident dog, a Great Pyrenees named Honey, was being treated.

The stray seemed to recognize that Honey was safe and loved. Still, whenever the homeowner tried to call her over, the frightened dog would turn and run toward the bottom of the property.

Building Trust One Bite at a Time

A few days later, the dog reappeared, still visibly terrified. Her tail was tucked tightly between her legs as she hesitated at the edge of the yard.

Determined to show the dog she meant no harm, the homeowner decided to try a gentler approach. She tossed some food out into the grass, hoping to bridge the gap.

To her relief, the hungry dog actually came up and ate it. Slowly but surely, with each passing day, she started inching closer to her new friend.

The Day Everything Clicked

Then, one day, a beautiful shift happened. It literally just clicked in the dog’s mind that she was finally safe.

She walked right up to her rescuer, acting as if she had lived there her entire life. It was a heartwarming realization that she had chosen her forever home.

Soon, she was sporting a pretty new collar with her brand-new name: Hazel. The days of hiding in the trees were officially over.

An Honorary Guardian Dog

Despite finally being allowed inside, Hazel quickly proved she preferred the great outdoors. She didn’t like to stay in the house for very long.

Her main priority was being outside with her new best friend, Honey. Since Honey is a guardian dog who refuses to come inside at night, Hazel decided she had a job to do, too.

Whenever Honey starts barking, Hazel is right behind her. Her new mom laughs, noting that Hazel genuinely seems to think she is a Great Pyrenees, too.

Smiles and Sweet Kisses

The two dogs have become the best of sisters, following each other everywhere. Hazel is always eager to see what they are going after next.

When she isn’t on patrol, Hazel is incredibly affectionate. She physically insists on giving kisses, whining if she isn’t allowed to shower her mom with love.

Her eyes melt hearts, and when she looks up, she flashes what looks exactly like a human smile. It is the sweetest reward for the patience it took to save her.

A New Challenge Appears

Just as Hazel settled into her happy new life, another desperate situation unfolded. A new stray dog appeared, and it was clear she needed urgent help.

The rescuer knew the dog was either already pregnant or headed that way. She was wandering the streets, accompanied by a couple of stray “boyfriends.”

The poor mama-to-be was in rough shape, covered in flies and ticks. But getting her to safety was going to be much harder than winning over Hazel.

Refusing the Rescue

The rescuer tried to coax the pregnant stray closer, even offering tempting Vienna sausages. But the dog was completely shut down to the idea of being caught.

The second the rescuer had any kind of leash in her hand, the dog would immediately back up. Her two male companions were around even more, but they also refused to let anyone approach with a leash.

It became a waiting game. The rescuer needed to figure out exactly where the dogs were staying to see if there was a way to trap them safely.

Setting the Trap

Realizing that traditional methods weren’t going to work, the rescuer decided to set up a humane trap. She gave the dogs time to smell the setup and get comfortable.

The two male dogs were the first to go in, safely secured and taken off the streets. However, the pregnant mom, named Tarot, was nowhere to be found that day.

The rescue team held their breath, hoping Tarot would return before it was too late. Just a couple of days later, she finally caved and went into the trap.

Just in Time for Puppies

The timing could not have been more perfect. Tarot was rushed into a loving foster home, where she was finally safe, warm, and comfortable.

Shortly after arriving, Tarot gave birth to her puppies in a secure environment, far away from the dangerous streets. They had gotten her just in time.

Thanks to the dedication of her rescuers, Tarot’s babies never had to know the struggle of being strays. All of her beautiful puppies soon found their forever homes.

Flipped Switches and Bright Futures

The rescue didn’t just change Tarot’s life; it transformed her two companions as well. Once the boys got to a safe yard, it was like a switch flipped, and they became happy, playful dogs.

Both boys are now thriving and ready to find their own forever families. They left their fearful street days completely behind them.

As for Tarot, her days of raising puppies and wandering the streets are over. She is finally ready to retire and just be somebody’s pampered baby on the couch.