Rain poured relentlessly that October evening as Marcus trudged home after a long double shift at the warehouse, his jacket soaked and shoes squelching through the puddles.

Exhausted, all he wanted was a hot shower and his bed—until he heard it: a faint, desperate whimper. Following the sound to an abandoned lot, Marcus spotted a German Shepherd curled in the mud. Her ribs jutted sharply, fur matted and streaked with grime, wounds visible on her legs and flanks. Trembling but trusting, she allowed him to gently lift her into his arms. Without hesitation, Marcus carried her to his car and drove straight to the emergency veterinary clinic.

At the clinic, the staff acted with urgency. Dr. Sarah Chen examined the shepherd, noting severe dehydration, malnutrition, and injuries from neglect. Then came the unexpected news—she was heavily pregnant, and labor could begin at any moment.