The heartbroken and frightened momma knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her beloved pups alive if someone didn’t come to her aid. Luckily, someone did.

Boerger instantly contacted her friend Angel Urban and the pair rushed to the scene.

When they arrived, they found Dory huddled up next to her nine puppies. The puppies were only two weeks old and though Dory was doing her best to keep them safe and calm, it was clear that the poor mommy needed help

Boerger and Urban found that Dory was in need of medical attention, and so they brought her and her puppies to the vet for treatment and additional check-ups. Dory had several injuries, including multiple open wounds, but all her ailments turned out to be treatable.

Unfortunately, the vet discovered that one of the pups’ condition was much more serious.

The little pup, which the rescue named Peach, turned out to have been born with a tumour in her throat. The tumour kept the little pup from being able to nurse properly, and would just keep growing until swallowing became impossible.