There were so many, he carried them home in shifts.
Matt McEntire, a volunteer at Humane Society of North Texas, was out walking his dog, Dublin, on New Year’s Day, looking forward to a relaxing start to 2025. The pair were walking through a park when they passed a trash can — and stopped in their tracks when they heard sounds coming from inside.
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“He heard faint whimpers coming from a garbage can and, upon investigating, discovered puppies in desperate need of help,” Cassie Davidson, senior director of marketing, communications and public relations at Humane Society of North Texas, told The Dodo.
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Eight little puppies were huddled up in the trash can together, abandoned, freezing and afraid. McEntire knew they needed help, fast, so because there were so many, he carried them home in shifts, back and forth until he had rescued them all.
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“The puppies were in very poor condition when they were found — dehydrated, starving and infested with worms, parasites and fleas,” Davidson said. “Puppies are incredibly fragile; their health can decline rapidly without proper care. Being exposed to the cold without any resources left them in a precarious state, but thankfully, they’re now receiving the care and support they need to recover.”
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The puppies were taken in by Humane Society of North Texas and immediately given the medical attention they needed. McEntire is Irish, and since he was the reason the puppies were saved, it felt only fitting to give the puppies Irish names after their rescuer. Their names are Phineas, O’Malley, Lorcan, Finnegan, Paddy, Keeva, Guinness and Dublin — a shout-out to their doggy rescuer, as well.
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“Most of the puppies are thriving and will be available for adoption at [this week’s] event,” Davidson said. “Two of the little ones are still in our medical area recovering, but they’re on the mend and receiving the best care. We’re so proud of their progress and can’t wait to see them all find loving homes!”
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Thanks to McEntire and his quick thinking, the puppies are all safe, loved and excited to begin thriving in their forever homes very soon.
If you’d like to help other animals in need, you can donate to Humane Society of North Texas.
