While wandering along a logging road near Lake Trask in Mason County, Washington, a family of stray dogs found themselves in desperate need of help. Cold and vulnerable, they struggled to find shelter from the relentless rain. “They were out in the rain, shivering and trying to find cover wherever they could,” the Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) shared in a Facebook post. When animal control officials learned about the dogs, they immediately reached out to a Humane Society volunteer and a skilled dog trapper to assist with the rescue effort.

The rescue team quickly got to work, setting up several traps filled with enticing food to lure the dogs to safety. Parker and Petey, the two puppies, were caught fairly quickly. However, their mother, Laila, was much more cautious, making the rescue mission more challenging.

Determined to bring the little family to safety, the rescuers switched the chicken they were using to something even more irresistible: ham and liverwurst. After nearly 20 hours of effort, Laila could no longer resist her hunger and entered the trap. “After 20 hours, with volunteers keeping vigilance all day and night, mom and babies were finally secured!” the Humane Society posted. “They were exhausted and so ready for a better life!”

Now safely out of the woods, the dogs are experiencing comfort and care for the first time in a long while. All three are now staying in foster homes, receiving the love and attention they deserve. A spokesperson from the Humane Society of Mason County shared that Parker and Petey have a forever home lined up, while others have shown interest in Laila. We are confident all three dogs will be with their forever families soon.

Do you have a rescue dog with a backstory? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please share your experience in our Facebook comment section.

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