On January 6, Streetdog Foundation received an urgent call from a local emergency vet clinic about a mama dog in desperate need. The German Shepherd mix, now named Epiphany, had been shot four times while protecting her 11 newborn puppies. Despite her grave injuries—including bullets lodged in her arm, elbow, and spine, and one that passed entirely through her body cavity—she remained focused on her tiny pups, who were less than 24 hours old.

Police reported receiving a call about an injured animal in Southwest Memphis. A man at the residence told officers he shot the stray dog after it charged toward him, his wife, and his children. MPD has not disclosed where the newborn puppies were found, but Epiphany and her pups are now safe and being treated at Grace Animal Hospital.

When Epiphany arrived at Grace Animal Hospital, she was unable to walk due to the trauma near her spine, and her condition was critical. Her recovery required intensive medical care and constant monitoring to manage her injuries without jeopardizing her ability to nurse her pups. The care has demanded 24/7 attention. Streetdog Foundation founders Melanie and Kent Pafford have been working tirelessly, partnering with the team at Grace Animal Hospital.

“She has to feed overnight as well,” Kent explained to WREG News Memphis.¹ “Three times a night, we are able to get in there and rotate the puppies. At least three feeding cycles, help get her outside and feed her more. She’s eating ravenously at the moment while her body is trying to fuel her recovery.”

A Paw-sitive Outlook

Despite the odds, Epiphany is healing. Her wounds have shown progress, and last week she amazed everyone by standing up and walking on her own. Though she still experiences pain, she continues to grow stronger every day. Even in her condition, Epiphany has been a loving, attentive mother. Her 11 pups—seven boys and four girls—are thriving under her care. The tiniest runt, who initially caused concern, has made remarkable progress and is now nursing well. All the puppies are healthy, active, and steadily gaining weight.

“They are well taken care of by their sweet momma now. I talk to her all the time and say, ‘Momma, I don’t know how you do it because you are in pain.’ I see it when she walks,” Melanie added. “As a mother with no one to help her, we are just glad she’s here.”

On January 9, the Streetdog Foundation shared in a Facebook Post that the puppies aren’t wanting to be bottle-fed anymore, wanting “nothing but the real thing.” They also shared that “[the puppies’] bond with Mama is strong, and it is beautiful to see how much she loves and protects them.”

The story of Epiphany and her puppies has touched many hearts. Last Monday, Streetdog Foundation launched a fundraiser on Facebook, raising over $16,000 in just a week. An angel donor also reached out to match the first $15,000 in donations. However, the estimated cost of care for Epiphany and her puppies is around $50,000, leaving a significant funding gap to fill.

The Challenges That Lie Ahead

When X-rays revealed that one bullet went completely through Epiphany’s body, while three others remained lodged inside her, it presented both a challenge and relief. Miraculously, none of the bullets hit any vital organs, but one bullet did hit a spinous process (a bony part of her vertebrae), so the veterinarians thought the shockwave may have bruised or shocked her spinal cord. She was unable to use her back legs at first, according to a Facebook Post on January 6 by Streetdog Foundation, but they had the team at Streetdog Foundation “praying this is temporary and not permanent,” and it seemed to have worked.

“At this point, we are hoping we won’t have to operate, that those [bullets] will stabilize where they are. But one grazed the shoulder blade, causing bone fragments to travel,” Kent explained to WREG News. “There was one in the back that came straight through the skin and out the other side and two more back in the shoulder. So, she took several direct hits.”

How to Help

In their 15 years of rescue work, the Paffords say this is the first time Streetdog Foundation has come to the aid of a dog with gunshot wounds. The volunteer-run organization, which has saved approximately 1,500 dogs, was already struggling financially, making community support all the more vital.

“We didn’t have the budget for this, and this is going to be a big budget,” said Melanie. “We appreciate everything and will need fosters for these pups.”

Streetdog Foundation is actively seeking a foster home for Epiphany and her puppies and is also looking for forever homes for all the dogs.

Their Facebook fundraiser is still active, and any amount donated, large or small, is greatly appreciated because it will make a direct impact on these 12 dogs.

For information on fostering, adopting, or donating, please visit Streetdog Foundation’s website.

About Streetdog Foundation

Streetdog Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and enriching the lives of people. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned dogs in the Memphis, TN area, working with all breeds, sizes, and backgrounds. Streetdog Foundation believes every dog has the potential to become a wonderful, adoptable pet.

You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and X for updates on Epiphany and her puppies and all of the other dogs they save.

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