Kim Novak had just started her route in Cabot, AR, when she saw a dog in a field.
“She was just sitting there looking lost. Normally dogs are barking at me and running around,” said the rural carrier, who stopped briefly to take in the scene.
Novak maintained her distance but was able to see why the dog was glued to her spot: A passel of newborn puppies, their eyes not yet open. Some were nursing.
“I really wanted to help these puppies out,” she said.
One of Novak’s next delivery stops was a nearby veterinary clinic. While there, she got contact information for groups that might be able to help.
She eventually found help from Jak’s Second Chance Rescue Ranch. It was over capacity and closed for intake, but volunteers mobilized to get the family to a safe environment.
The story of Novak’s discovery and how the rescue found and corralled the mom and pups was recently featured on animal website TheDodo.com.
With the help of an animal tracker, the volunteers found the puppies snuggled in a briar patch but didn’t locate the mother until midnight.
“As soon as she realized we were there to help her and not to hurt her, she just melted and accepted pets and treats and love,” rescue director Jenny Bridges told the Dodo.
Before transferring the family to Forgotten Paws of Northwest Arkansas, rescuers named the mom Jolene, and the puppies Dolly, Bowie, Jagger, Ozzy, Olivia and Prince.
“I wouldn’t have been able to sleep or gotten through my route without someone saying they would help,” Novak said.
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