Things are looking up for six homeless newborn puppies and their mother who were found in East Palo Alto in April, thanks to members of the public and a San Mateo animal shelter.

The saga began when a stray, starving mutt stole a slice of pepperoni pizza from a man and his friends in East Palo Alto April 17, according to Buffy Martin Tarbox, a spokeswoman for the Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA.

The man called the Humane Society, which sent rescue staffers who determined that the small, hungry female terrier mix had just given birth. Then the dog led them to a nest with six tiny, week-old puppies, Tarbox said.

"The mother dog was malnourished, and if we hadn't found her, it's unlikely she and her pups would have survived," Tarbox said in an interview. "This poor little dog was struggling to survive on her own, eating whatever scraps of food she could find and trying to take care of her babies."

The mother was not microchipped, nor did anyone come forward to claim her, so Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA found a temporary foster home for the mom and her brood.

Given the recent excitement over the British royal wedding, related monikers were bestowed on the canine family members: William, Harry, Duchess Kate, Lady Di, Charlotte and Meghan.

The mother, appropriately enough, was named Queen Elizabeth.

The now-two-month-old pups have been weaned and one has already been adopted, as has Queen Elizabeth, Tarbox said.

People interested in meeting the puppies can visit the shelter at 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame, or call at 650-340-7022.