A two-year-old female stray named Serenity was found by animal rescue officials, covered in snow on the side of a rural road near Chatham, Ontario in Canada a week ago.
The mongrel, who was keeping a litter of kittens warm needs a home.
It was -3 degrees Celsius and dark outside, and when a passerby stopped to help the dog, she was surprised to the dog find five tiny black kittens "snuggling with her," Myriam Armstrong, a spokeswoman for the Pet and Wildlife Rescue, said.
The unlikely companions' heartfelt story of survival and nurturing has been widely shared on social media.
More than 30 people from across Canada have asked about adopting them.
"The kittens wouldn't have survived the cold Canadian winter without this dog's help," Armstrong said.
Their bond continued even after they were brought to the shelter as the dog was seen to be doting on the kittens. People have proposed finding them a home together, if possible.