Lying on the side of the road in Muscoy, California, a German shepherd named Marley waited for help. By her side, a fluffy red dog sat patiently — guarding his injured friend.

Hours passed, and cars continued to fly by but not a single one stopped to check on the two animals.

Until, finally, one did.

“We received a message she was lying on the side of the road,” Faith Easdale, a rescuer with Dream Fetchers: Project Rescue, told The Dodo. “Marley was in terrible distress and pain and breathing heavily. We weren’t even sure if she was going to make it.”

Marley’s protector, a fellow stray named Murphy, refused to budge as Easdale and another man lifted Marley into the car. “She was very heavy and hard to move, but we did it,” Easdale said. “Murphy wouldn’t leave her side on the street.”

Once they were safely in the car, Murphy cuddled up to Marley in the back seat, resting his head on her large belly.

It was as if the two dogs knew that the hard part was over — now, all they had to do was heal.

Easdale rushed the dogs to the hospital, where Marley’s X-rays revealed a number of broken bones and a special surprise.

Marley was pregnant with 11 puppies.

Her best friend continued to wait by her side during those first few terrifying days. But slowly, Murphy seemed to realize that Marley was in good hands. Easdale could see that he wasn’t really bonded with her, and set to work finding him a good home. “He was able to be with her in the hospital but she was so critical that he wanted to go run and play,” Easdale said.

Marley was in so much pain, but despite everything, she gave birth to 11 healthy puppies.

And even with two of her legs in casts, she was still determined to be a loving, attentive mom.

It took two years, but with the help of her foster mom and a number of vets and carers, Marley has healed completely. “Marley is just as sweet and beautiful as the day we brought her home,” her adopters wrote on Facebook. “She plays like she has never had a broken bone.”

And Marley’s rescuers couldn’t be happier that the strong mom and her pups have come so far.

“She was special and we all knew it,” Easdale said. “Today, her babies are all grown up and Marley is loved and cherished.”