It all started when Alysse Matlock was driving down a less-traveled road near Noble, Oklahoma. She spotted something small and fluffy in the middle of the road. As she drew nearer, she realized it wasn’t just a random piece of debris but a miniature Australian Shepherd wandering alone.
Concerned for the dog’s safety, Alysse pulled over to try and help. She attempted to coax the scared little dog into her car. Unfortunately, the dog didn’t understand Alysse’s good intentions and, feeling threatened, it ran off into the distance. Before it disappeared, Alysse managed to take a quick picture of the wandering pup.
Upon returning home, Alysse uploaded the photo to Facebook, hoping her local community might recognize the dog or offer some help.
Community Effort Ignites
Her Facebook post quickly filled up with comments. It turned out that other locals had also seen this lonely dog patrolling the area. Despite this, no one knew exactly where the dog came from or who its owner might be.
A few days later, the same dog—now named Journey by the community—was spotted again, this time right in the center of Noble, about 10 miles from where Alysse first encountered her. With the colder days approaching, many animal lovers in the town grew concerned. They knew that Journey needed shelter, especially since she seemed to be in a vulnerable condition.
Another alarming detail came to light when someone noticed that Journey’s belly was unusually large and distended. This observation raised an immediate red flag: the dog was heavily pregnant, and the time for her to give birth was drawing near.
Armed with this new information, Alysse set out once more, determined to bring Journey to safety.
The Rescue Challenge
Finding Journey again proved difficult. Alysse spent several hours trying to gain the dog’s trust. Despite her efforts, as the clock ticked past 1 a.m., Journey remained elusive and wary of human contact. With a heavy heart, Alysse decided to retreat and try again the next day.
When she returned, Alysse noticed something behind a large piece of discarded furniture. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Journey, who had found a makeshift shelter for the night in an old, broken recliner discarded by the roadside.
Despite her previous failures, Alysse tried once more to coax Journey into her car. But the scared dog refused to budge. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Alysse and a few helpful townspeople spotted Journey atop a small hill. This gave them a new strategy.
Using a combination of teamwork and enticing treats like hotdogs, they finally managed to safely capture Journey and secure her in the car. “It was such a relief when she was finally caught. All of us strangers who had stopped to help that morning started hugging,” Alysse recounted to The Dodo.
Journey’s New Beginning
Once safely in Alysse’s care, the first stop was the veterinarian’s office. The vet confirmed that Journey was indeed about to become a mother. She was expected to deliver within a week. However, nature had other plans. The very next morning, Alysse woke to the sound of tiny squeaks. Two little puppies were already there, snuggled next to Journey, with four more arriving shortly after.
Journey, now a mother to six healthy puppies, could finally relax. In a warm and safe environment, she and her newborns could rest and recover—a crucial time for the new mom’s recovery.
For the time being, the furry family was under the protection of Alysse and the community. Plans were made to keep them safe, and if no owners came forward, they would be put up for adoption through the local animal welfare organization, Noble Now Inc. Friends of Noble Animal Shelter.
A huge thank-you went out to every person who contributed to the rescue. Their combined efforts helped save not just one life but seven, providing a safe and loving environment for a homeless Aussie and her adorable puppies. These kind souls truly were heroes in their own right.
