South Carolina Woman Sees Odd Mud Balls By The Water, But Her Heart Breaks After A Second Look
A kayaker from South Carolina who has always had a soft spot for animals was out paddling on Lake Thurmond when something odd caught her eye along the shoreline. At first, she almost kept going.
Scattered across the sand were what looked like pale pink clumps, like bits of wet clay drying in the sun. They were so still, they barely seemed real. But something felt off.
She steered closer. That’s when the “clumps” moved. Tiny legs twitched. Little heads wobbled weakly. And suddenly, her peaceful paddle turned into an emergency.
They weren’t mud at all. They were four newborn puppies, nearly hairless, shaking from the cold, their fragile bodies exposed to the elements. So small. So defenseless. And completely alone.
Without a second thought, the woman carefully picked up each puppy and placed them into a container in her car.
Her mind raced with concern, but her hands were steady. She drove straight to the nearest animal rescue, ensuring the fragile pups would finally be safe.
At Final Victory Animal Rescue in South Carolina, staff were shocked at the puppies’ condition.
Leslie Rider Osmanski, the shelter’s medical manager and foster coordinator, explained:
“All four puppies were very emaciated and covered in Demodex mange. Their Demodex mange was so severe that they were almost completely hairless.”
The rescue team affectionately nicknamed them the “Water’s Edge Puppies” and immediately began treatment.
They gave them medical baths, applied topical medications to combat the mange, and closely monitored their progress.
Thankfully, the puppies did not have serious health problems or require surgery.
What the puppies needed most was patience, attention, and plenty of love, all of which the staff provided in abundance.
Slowly, Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Board, and Raft began to thrive. They gained strength, grew soft fur, and started showing off their playful personalities.
From weak and frightened newborns, they blossomed into lively, spirited puppies.
Although no one could say for sure how they ended up at the lake, it was likely that the puppies had been abandoned.
Their early circumstances were tragic, but thanks to the quick action and compassion of a single rescuer, their lives were completely transformed.
All four puppies eventually found permanent homes.
Final Victory Animal Rescue shared the happy update on Facebook:
“Canoe is now known as Evie and lives in Pennsylvania. She ADORES her human brother! Kayak was renamed Worthy and rocked the long road trip with her new family to her home all the way in Washington State! She even got to visit Mt. Rushmore on her journey. Paddle Board is now known as Dobby and is living the good life in Massachusetts. Raft goes by Pudge now and is here in South Carolina with his 3 new fur siblings.”
From tiny, hairless, and terrified newborns on a lakeshore to happy, thriving pups in loving families, their transformation is remarkable.
Today, these four pups enjoy warmth, comfort, and the love of devoted families.
