People leaned in, peering inside… and in that moment, everyone froze.

In the damp darkness of the sewer lay five newborn puppies, huddled together for warmth. Beside them, a weakened female dog, clearly their mother, struggled to lift her head.

“Dear God,” whispered Gabriela, kneeling beside the opening. “His family is down there. He’s been trying to tell us all along.”

A worker in protective gear descended into the sewer. One by one, all five were brought to the surface, where gentle hands wrapped them in towels.

When it came to the mother, the situation was more complicated. She was weak and disoriented. One of her hind legs appeared severely injured, possibly fractured.

Grivei began to move restlessly, barking for the first time since people had noticed him. When the mother was placed on the asphalt, he cautiously approached, sniffing and gently licking her muzzle with a tenderness that drew gasps from the crowd.

“She’s his mate,” explained the veterinarian called to the scene. “She probably fell down there weeks ago while pregnant. Gave birth in the sewer, and he stayed up here, guarding her and likely bringing her food through the grates when he could.”

The town hall, seeing a public relations opportunity, quickly allocated funds for the medical treatment of the entire canine family. The mother, whom people named Zâna, underwent emergency surgery at the city’s veterinary clinic. Her leg was saved, though doctors said she would have a slight limp.

Gabriela became the unexpected local hero of the story. She was the first to offer to adopt the entire family.