When Adriana Figueroa’s phone buzzed one cold January day, she didn’t hesitate for a second. As a longtime rescuer with Women’s Volunteer Miami, Adriana had answered countless calls for animals in need — but something about this message felt urgent.

A neighbor had spotted a stray mama dog in rough shape, wandering the streets alone. Adriana jumped into her car and rushed over.

“I found her pretty quickly,” Adriana recalled. “She looked exhausted, but there was a determination in her eyes. I knew she was leading me somewhere.”

That “somewhere” turned out to be a dark, broken crawl space beneath an old house.

As Adriana knelt down to peer inside, the mama dog — later named Veviana — slipped through the opening. Moments later, tiny shapes began to stir in the shadows. One puppy appeared, then another, and soon Adriana realized what Veviana had been trying to protect all along: an entire litter of newborns.

“It broke my heart,” Adriana said softly. “She was completely alone, doing everything she could to keep her babies safe.”

For weeks, Veviana had survived on scraps, shielding her puppies from the cold ground and lurking dangers outside. Now, with help finally at hand, her secret family had a chance at life.

Reaching into the crawl space was no easy task. Each time Adriana inched closer, Veviana and her pups instinctively crawled deeper into the shadows. Hours passed in the cramped space. Adriana’s arms were scratched and sore, but she refused to give up.

Finally, after three long hours, she emerged into the sunlight, cradling one wriggling pup after another. By the time she was done, eight tiny puppies had been pulled to safety.

Veviana watched closely the entire time, her eyes no longer filled with fear, but with relief. She seemed to understand that someone had finally come to share her burden.

Today, Veviana and her babies are safe in foster care, where warm beds and full bowls have replaced the cold crawl space they once called home. And for Adriana, this rescue was more than just another mission — it was a reminder of a mother’s love.

For Adriana, this wasn’t just another rescue — it was a living testament to the power of a mother’s love.

“She gave everything she had just to keep her babies safe,” Adriana said, her voice breaking. “All she ever wanted was a place where her little ones could live and grow. And now, that dream has finally come true.” ❤️

But their journey is not over yet. Veviana and her eight tiny angels are still waiting for a forever home — a place where they’ll not only be safe, but truly loved for the rest of their lives.

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