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Friends For Life Animal Shelter

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Lettie’s Story: From Street Survivor to Mama in Recovery

July 31, 2025 by Nery Rubio

Imagine this:
You’re dumped in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
Pregnant. Alone. But it’s not about you. It’s about them—the puppies growing inside you. They’re counting on you to survive long enough to give them a chance.

There’s no safe place, but then you spot a hole. A space under a house. It’s hot. It’s dirty. But it’s hidden. And for now, that’s good enough.

For weeks, you sneak through alleyways, searching for scraps of food, drops of water, anything to keep your body going while you keep theirs alive.

And then one day, it’s time. No help. No hands to hold you. No soft place to land. Just you, your instincts, and the small cries of five newborn puppies in a crawlspace under a house.

People start to notice you. They try to get close. You bolt. You’ve learned not to trust people. Not anymore. But they keep trying. They toss food, whisper gently, leave the door open. Weeks go by. You’re tired. You’re still on guard.

Then one day, you see someone taking your puppies. Your body moves before your mind catches up. You follow. What else can you do?

You expect the worst.

But instead
You’re met with calm voices.
A soft bed lined with blankets.
Food and water just for you.
A room where you can finally exhale, just a little.

You’re still scared. You curl around your pups and don’t move. They don’t force you. They just come in quietly to clean, refill your bowl, and whisper, “It’s okay now. Take your time.”

Their shirts say Friends For Life.
Maybe that’s their name.
Maybe that’s the promise.

Slowly, you begin to believe it.

You’ve walked out of your room now. Just down the hallway. But that’s huge. You’re still afraid of the outside world. But Friends For Life doesn’t rush you.

They wait. They cheer. They refill your bowl and straighten your blankets and say again, “Take your time.”

Lettie is proof that trust can be rebuilt. That safety is something we can create.
And that sometimes, the bravest thing isn’t running. It’s staying.

Want to help dogs like Lettie?

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Friends For Life Shelter

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Houston, TX 77008

713-863-9835

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2902 S Shepherd Drive
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