The sun was just beginning to set over a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood when a desperate plea reached Hope For Paws. A text message detailed a heartbreaking scene: a German Shepherd in extreme distress, guarding something precious, yet tragically lost. This was more than just a routine rescue; it was a race against time and a test of patience, compassion, and courage.

the Initial Distress Call
Our dedicated rescue team, JoAnn Wiltz and Alex Babcock, were the first to arrive. From a distance, they observed the German Shepherd, her body language tense and protective. She was positioned near a small crawl space under a house, her attention fixated on something unseen. It quickly became clear that this was no ordinary stray; she was a mother, and she was fiercely protecting her deceased puppy. The weight of her grief hung heavy in the air, manifesting as aggression towards anyone who dared to approach. Previous attempts by another organization had been met with growls and barks, deeming her too aggressive to handle safely. They even tried placing a crate nearby, hoping she would move her puppy inside, but she remained wary. This level of maternal protection, while understandable, made the rescue incredibly dangerous. Recognizing the escalating tension and the unique emotional state of the dog, JoAnn and Alex made the critical decision to call for backup. This is where I, Eldad Hagar, joined the rescue.
Approaching the Heartbreak
As I arrived, the scene was exactly as described. The dog, later named Kailani, was a magnificent German Shepherd, but her eyes held a raw pain that was difficult to witness. Her barks were not just territorial; they were laced with sorrow and fear, a desperate cry for her lost baby. I was told that she had been crying since 4 AM when her puppy had passed away. A neighbor confirmed the heartbreaking detail: she had started crying early in the morning when the puppy, sadly, died. This revelation only intensified our resolve to help her.
My first priority was to understand the environment and assess the risks. The small crawl space under the house was a concern. It was a dark, confined area where she had given birth, and I needed to ensure there were no other puppies hidden inside that might be alive, or to block it off if it was just an empty space that could be a dangerous hiding spot. Before anything else, I needed to gain some semblance of trust. We started by gently tossing pieces of a cheeseburger towards her, hoping to entice her away from her makeshift den. She was cautious, occasionally nudging the food with her nose, but her focus always returned to the small, lifeless body beside her.

A Mother’s Grief: The Unseen Puppy
The video showed a heartbreaking moment when Kailani nudged her tiny, still puppy. It was clear she was trying to revive her little baby, but the small creature was already gone. My heart sank as I saw the puppy was missing a leg and its face was completely deformed. This explained so much of Kailani’s profound distress and exhaustion. Her pregnancy had clearly been fraught with complications, and she had endured so much trauma.

Her grief was palpable. She would howl, a mournful sound that echoed the pain of a mother who had lost her child. She would cry, deep, guttural sounds that expressed her sorrow. It was a raw, primal display of emotion, and it touched us deeply. We knew we had to proceed with the utmost care, respecting her grief while ensuring her safety.
The Turning Point: Trust and the Catchpole
To ensure our safety and Kailani’s, I reluctantly decided to use a catchpole. It’s a tool I rarely employ, but her aggression, fuelled by grief and fear, made it a necessary precaution. I extended the pole, gently trying to loop it around her neck, and she bit at it, snarling defensively. “It’s okay, good girl,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring. “Don’t, don’t this.” My aim was not to hurt her, but to create a safe distance and guide her away from the corner where she felt most protected.

The process was slow, painstaking. Every movement was calculated, every word chosen carefully. We were working on gaining her trust, inch by agonizing inch. After what felt like an eternity, the catchpole was finally around her. This was the moment of truth. With the catchpole providing a safe means of control, I asked JoAnn to apply a Gentle Snare. This double layer of security would enable us to pull Kailani into the crate, rather than forcing or pushing her, which could exacerbate her fear and aggression. It was a delicate dance of restraint and reassurance, with her still barking and occasionally lunging, but her movements were becoming less frantic.
Towards a New Beginning
Once Kailani was safely secured inside the crate, the immediate crisis was over. The relief was immense, but it was quickly replaced by a profound sadness as we gently removed the body of little Lani. We confirmed that there were no other puppies inside the crawl space, bringing a bittersweet conclusion to the immediate situation. Lani was cremated, giving her a dignified farewell.
The true healing process for Kailani began the moment she was in our care. We took her to CARES Veterinary Hospital for a quick checkup. The medical team confirmed she had no more puppies inside her, ensuring that any lingering complications from her difficult birth were addressed. But the physical healing was only part of the journey. Kailani was exhausted, not just from the ordeal of birth and protection, but from the emotional trauma of losing her baby.
That night, I decided to sleep on the floor next to her kennel in a quiet room at Hope For Paws. I wanted her to see a familiar face when she woke up, to know she wasn’t alone. At 1:43 AM, she slowly approached me, nuzzling my hand. It was a small gesture, but I knew this would be a turning point. Her fear was slowly giving way to a nascent trust.
When we woke up in the morning, Kailani was a different dog. She felt much better, the exhaustion and fear of the previous day replaced by a cautious curiosity. She even allowed JoAnn and Alex to give her a nice warm bubble bath, a much-needed indulgence after her ordeal. The bath also allowed us to examine her injuries more closely. It was clear that from repeatedly crawling into the tiny den, she had scraped and bruised her paws and belly, creating painful sores.
From Sorrow to Playful Joy
Over the next two days, Kailani’s playful spirit began to emerge. She was still dealing with so much emotional pain from losing Lani, and I didn’t want her to also deal with physical pain. The recovery from a laparoscopic spay is much faster and less painful, so we opted for that procedure. Dr. Antonio Pedraza performed the surgery, and I went in with her so she would see a familiar face when she woke up. The surgical team was amazing, and Kailani recovered beautifully.

Back at the rescue centre, we introduced her to some soft toys. These simple objects distracted her mind and enabled her to move towards happiness. She would playfully bat at them, her tail wagging tentatively at first, then with increasing enthusiasm. She was rediscovering the joy of being a dog.
Our friends at LA Animal Rescue stepped up, offering to foster Kailani and find her the best possible home. She proved to be a cool dog, getting along wonderfully with other dogs, a testament to her resilient and loving nature despite her recent trauma.

Kailani’s journey is a powerful reminder of the profound bond between a mother and her child, and the immense capacity for healing when compassionate hands intervene. Her story is a mix of heartbreak and triumph, reflecting the daily realities of animal rescue. It is through the unwavering support of our community that we are able to provide second chances to animals like Kailani.
There is a lot of sadness in the work we do every day, but thanks to our supporters, we get to make things better. If you can, please join us today and become a Hope For Paws member. Your generosity directly impacts our ability to save lives and bring hope to animals in desperate need.
To make a donation to our cheeseburger fund (and support other rescues!), please visit: www.HopeForPaws.org
If you would like to adopt Kailani, please visit: www.LAAnimalRescue.org
Thank you so much for your support! ❤️