When psychologist Liane Powell spotted a greyhound limping into a market in Vera, Spain, she immediately knew something was wrong. The dog’s leg appeared broken, her frame was painfully thin, and her overall condition spoke of neglect. Without hesitation, Powell brought her to a local veterinarian for urgent care.

At the clinic, the medical team confirmed the leg injury but also noticed something else—she was producing milk. That meant she had recently given birth and had puppies depending on her. Finding those puppies quickly became a race against time. “We put a collar and long lead on her… Then we just followed her… She knew exactly where she was going,” recalled veterinarian Ellen Sobry.

The team believed the mother must have given birth nearby, but they were still stunned by what happened next. The injured dog, later named Vera after the town where she was found, led Powell and Sobry on a determined two-mile trek. Despite her broken leg, she walked straight to an abandoned car. Inside, in the back seat, lay ten tiny puppies.

To their relief, the pups were not only alive but surprisingly plump and healthy. It was clear Vera had done everything she could to keep them fed, even while she herself was suffering. Back at the clinic, Vera underwent surgery to repair her leg. “She’s recovering great—the only things she needs to focus on now are eating, feeding her puppies, and resting,” Sobry said. “She’s a little timid, but she’s not too scared.”

The veterinary team is partnering with Ibizan Hound Rescue in Murcia, Southern Spain, to ensure both Vera and her puppies have a safe future. Once the puppies are weaned and healthy enough, the organization will begin searching for loving adoptive homes.

Unfortunately, Vera’s story is part of a much larger problem in the region. Southern Spain has developed a reputation for the high abandonment rate of greyhounds, known locally as galgos. These dogs are often mass-bred for hunting season, with owners keeping only the fastest and most skilled while discarding the rest. The winter months are especially dangerous for them—once hunting season ends, many galgos are abandoned or left to fend for themselves, only for new ones to be purchased the next year.

Vera’s resilience and instinct to protect her puppies despite her own pain is nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey from the market to the abandoned car showed an unwavering determination that left rescuers in awe. For Powell and Sobry, it was a humbling reminder of the deep bonds and loyalty that exist in the animal world.

As Vera continues to heal, her story has begun to spread beyond the borders of Spain, shining a light on the plight of abandoned hunting dogs and inspiring more people to support animal rescue organizations. With proper care, Vera and her puppies will soon leave behind the pain of their past and start new lives filled with love and safety.

Her future, once uncertain, is now looking brighter than ever—and it all started with one compassionate person who refused to walk away.