The story began with a moment of loss. Lisa M. Ashe—a devoted animal rescuer, a friend, and a guiding light—had just been laid to rest. While attending her funeral, the Hope for Paws team received an urgent message: a litter of puppies was living deep inside an underground den near active train tracks. In honor of Lisa’s lifelong love for animals, the team didn’t hesitate. They went straight to the site.
Hidden beneath the earth
The puppies were living far below the surface, inside a narrow, twisting dirt tunnel. Their mother was nowhere in sight. The space was tight, unstable, and dangerous. Every minute mattered. The den was deep enough that crawling inside posed a serious risk—not just to the rescuers, but to the puppies themselves.
Video: Nine Puppies Rescued from a Deep Underground Den — A Tribute to Lisa M. Ashe
A gentle plan to earn trust
To avoid frightening the puppies further, the team began by offering food. Cheeseburgers were carefully used to coax them toward the entrance. Three puppies emerged fairly easily. One rescuer gently lifted the first puppy into view, allowing the others to see that the outside world wasn’t a threat—but a place of safety.
Fear pushes them deeper
Instead of following, the remaining puppies panicked and retreated further into the tunnel. The den stretched nearly four meters long, far too deep and narrow to safely enter. With calm precision, the rescuer used a specialized soft snare, carefully guiding each frightened puppy closer without causing harm. Still, progress was slow—and the risk of collapse grew with every movement.
When the tunnel proved too long and dangerous, a new plan was made. Rather than force their way in, the team began digging from above, creating a second access point to reach the puppies safely. Hours of careful digging followed. One by one, the puppies were brought to the surface. In the end, nine puppies were rescued—not eight as first reported. The smallest, the runt, was found last, hidden deepest of all.
Care, comfort, and meaningful names
The puppies were taken to a veterinary clinic for their first full meals, health checks, and gentle care. The next day, they met Olive—a calm, nurturing Pitbull who became their foster mother. To honor Lisa M. Ashe, each puppy was given a name beginning with the letters of her name: Luke, Isaac, Sarah, Abraham, Mary, Angel, Solomon, Heaven, and Ezekiel.
A legacy that lives on
The video ends with the puppies playing happily beside Olive, safe and full of life. Their rescue became more than a mission—it became a tribute. Through these nine lives, Lisa’s spirit continues. The team encourages adoption and support, not only to help these puppies find loving homes, but to ensure that Lisa’s compassion lives on in every life saved.
