What began as a simple drive to a doctor’s appointment turned into a life-changing rescue mission when Dellymar Bernal, executive director of Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asís (SASFAPR), spotted a heartbreaking sight on a rural road in Lajas, Puerto Rico — 10 abandoned puppies huddled together by the roadside.

A Shocking Discovery

Bernal wasn’t expecting to take on a rescue that morning. The shelter she runs was already full, with barely enough space for the animals they had. But when she saw the tiny, helpless pups wagging their tails, she knew she couldn’t just drive away.

“I couldn’t leave them there,” Bernal said. “The dog who was barking and wagging her tail, honestly, she stole my heart with her pure face. I was in shock.”

One puppy in particular, a tan girl later named Luna, barked as if begging Bernal to help her siblings. Buckets of food were left nearby, suggesting they had been abandoned intentionally.

Evidence of Abandonment

The puppies were too friendly and trusting to have been born stray. Neighbors later confirmed they had once belonged to a family before being dumped in the isolated area.

“At some point, they had a home,” Bernal explained. “They were abandoned and had spent a few days there.”

The Rescue

Determined to save them, Bernal carefully loaded each of the 10 puppies into her car. She brought nine of them directly to SASFAPR and took the last one, Lirio, to the vet for treatment after noticing she was limping.

Exams revealed that little Lirio had multiple fractures in her back paw. Thankfully, a skilled veterinary team began immediate treatment, while her siblings settled safely into the shelter.

A Second Chance at Life

Soon, the pups — Lorenzo, Luna, Lisa, Luisa, Lilypads, Lance, Liliard, and others — began to recover and thrive. Adoption applications poured in.

• Luna, the brave little barker, now lives happily in Boston.
• Lisa found her forever home in New York.
• Lirio continues her recovery, while Lorenzo awaits eye surgery before being adopted.

Thanks to Bernal’s compassion, every puppy is on the path toward a better future.

Why This Rescue Matters

Stories like these highlight the importance of supporting local shelters and rescues. Abandoned animals often suffer injuries, illness, or worse if left without help. But with community support — donations, fostering, and adoption — their lives can completely transform.

As Bernal put it, the moment she saw them, she knew: “They were all wagging their tails, happy to see me. I had to help.”

✨ From roadside despair to forever homes, these 10 puppies are proof that one person’s compassion can change everything.