It was a cold night in San Antonio, Texas, around 9:30 p.m. when Corporal Perry received a call. Someone reported a pit bull barking nonstop at their door. They were scared, fearing the dog might be dangerous.
But when Perry arrived, she found something completely unexpected.
“I was expecting a big, aggressive dog.” Perry said. “But instead, I saw a scared little girl, trying to stay warm in an old car seat surrounded by trash.”
San Antonio was experiencing an unusual winter storm, with frigid temperatures, and even Corporal Perry shivered in her jacket. It seemed that the dog, later named Martha, had been living on the streets for a while. Her ribs were visible through her thin fur, and she didn’t seem ready to trust anyone.
As Perry slowly approached her, Martha stayed still. She turned her head to look, then quickly looked away. It was like she was asking herself, “Can I really trust this person?
But Perry knew Martha needed help. she led her to a waiting truck with a warm blanket inside. That’s when something amazing happened — Martha jumped right in.
“She wagged her tail while I scanned her for a microchip,” Perry said. “It was like she knew I was there to help.”
At the animal shelter, Martha was so hungry she ate every bit of food in front of her. Then, something sweet happened — she noticed a crate full of toys. The staff let her pick one, and she chose a soft stuffed bear. That bear quickly became her favorite comfort object.
“She was underweight, heartworm positive, and it looked like she’d had puppies before,” said Lisa Norwood, public relations manager for San Antonio Animal Care Services.
To really heal, Martha needed more than just shelter — she needed a real home, even if it was temporary.
That's when a kind-hearted family saw Martha's story online. They signed up to foster Martha and give her the second chance she deserved.
Now, in her foster home, Martha is learning what it means to be part of a family. She’s got three foster dog siblings who are teaching her doggie manners. And she’s finally starting to come out of her shell.
“She sleeps on the bed at night and follows her foster parents everywhere,” Norwood said. “Her foster mom says, ‘She doesn’t quite know how to be a dog yet, but she’s learning.’”
Martha’s favorite thing — besides her foster family — is still her stuffed bear from the shelter. She carries it around like a treasure and gathers all the other dog toys in the house like a proud collector.
“She keeps her lovey bear close at all times,” Norwood said.
Today, Martha is getting treatment for heartworms and slowly gaining weight. She’s healing — inside and out. And soon, she’ll be ready for a forever home.
One thing is certain: this sweet “Velcro pup” — who once curled up in a trashed car seat — deserves a warm bed, loving arms, and a home full of squeaky toys and joy.
