In the bitter cold of Mladenovac, Serbia, a man from Dog Rescue Shelter spent an entire day outside to save a mother dog and her three terrified puppies. A call had come in about a stray dog sleeping beside a roadside drain pipe. When rescuers arrived, the sweet mama dog eagerly approached them, desperate for affection — but what they found next was unexpected.

Inside the narrow pipe were three scared puppies, too frightened to come out. Though they tried to coax them with their mother and food, the pups refused to budge. After hours of patience and effort — including gently guiding them with sticks — the team finally managed to rescue all the puppies.

Now reunited, the mama (named Hera) and her babies are safe, warm, and receiving medical care. After weeks of surviving in freezing conditions, they’ll finally sleep in soft, warm beds — and wait for the loving homes they deserve.