Three Latvians were shocked to come across two “emaciated and extremely fearful” smooth fox terriers on their way home from a scenic walk in the fields between Qajjenza and Marsaxlokk two weeks ago.

Refusing to believe they were in need of a home, Irene Shuke, a former dog handler who has been living in Malta for over a year, told her two friends who had just arrived on the island that they were probably just farm dogs who would return home by nightfall.

However, the recurring thoughts of the two miserable creatures kept them from having their breakfast the following morning, and Ms Shuke quickly went back with some food and water. The dogs were nowhere to be seen.

When they passed by again in the evening, the plastic containers gleamed in the light – the two dogs had licked them thoroughly.

The trio returned the following day but the dogs were so frightened of human contact they had to just leave the food and go home.

As the dogs’ gratitude towards the kind foreigners’ acts grew, they increasingly began to trust Ms Shuke and her friends Olipa and Vladimir Valpeteri.

“What a joy it was when they finally sniffed our stretched hands... Their tails were constantly wagging and it was clear they either hadn’t had much human contact or their experiences had been unfortunate,” Ms Shuke said.

The dogs were so thin the sun could almost be seen through their flanks and they were constantly scratching due to fleas and ticks.

As the dogs followed the Latvian trio home, it was evident they would have to take them in, as the dogs nearly got run over by a car as they bravely walked past the imaginary border of their territory for the first time.

Ms Shuke and her friends, who were involved in dog training back home, could not live with the idea that befriending the dogs could lead to their death.

So she took them into her rented flat, washed them, removed their fleas and provided a shelter and food for the terrified terriers.

However, time is closing in on the two dogs now, named Kelly and Puika (means Boy in Latvian). Ms Shuke’s neighbour has serious animal allergies and cannot live in close proximity to them and, as much as she wants to keep the two dogs, Ms Shuke has resigned herself to the idea this is not possible.

The animal shelters are full to the brim and the animal welfare department has told her they are unable to take them in unless they are injured.

The dogs, on their part, have come a long way, acting like the “ultimate lap dogs”, fully potty trained and walking on a lead “like champions”.

Ms Shuke is appealing to the public to give the dogs a home.

In Latvia, she said, more permanent structures were in place to help people who rescue such animals. As part of a network of helpers, information distribution about animals in need, temporary fostering, donations and other practical help was more readily available.

“It would be scary and very disappointing to find out that in this wonderful country with such truly kind people we three foreigners would be left on our own to cope with a problem that is not essentially ours,” she said.

Anyone interested in taking in the dogs may call Ms Shuke on 9955 6242.