One thing is for sure: no matter how resilient, brave, and well-trained our four-legged friends are, they cannot persist in the wilderness without our help…at least not for very long.
Lack of food, coyotes and other predators, scorching heat in summer — all these factors impact the quality of their lives, and it is only a matter of time before their survival is threatened.
Suzette Hall, a California animal rescuer, knows this all too well. So, when she received a call about a tiny, starving dog in a desolate area, she knew she had to act fast. Fortunately, she arrived just in time.
She Was All Alone
Hall was notified that the dog was roaming the industrial area near a hospital, far from a populated area. She knew time was of the essence, especially because this was a tiny dog and she couldn’t fend for herself for long.
As she was approaching the area, Hall realized how far the pup had gotten. No houses. No population. Just businesses nearby, with a few people occasionally observing this furry girl from a distance.
“After I exited the freeway, it was still another 4 miles—and not a single house in sight. Just desolate roads, warehouses, and heat,” the California rescuer stated in a Facebook post.
Some of the people even left a bowl of water for her. Still, it wasn’t nearly enough. This furball needed a nice meal, and she was as far from it as possible. The dog was starving.
“When I finally arrived, I couldn’t believe it. There she was—alone, starving, confused, and so small against the leaves and the fences. My heart broke,” Hall added.
Given the pup’s situation, Hall assumed her rescue would not be an easy one. She was already too scared and didn’t allow anyone to approach her.
Then, something incredible happened.
After setting a humane trap filled with delicious food near her, all it took for this dog to get in was four minutes. She didn’t hesitate at all. She just walked right in, hoping for the best.
“Not even four minutes later… she walked right in. She was that hungry. That desperate,” Hall stated.
Finally Safe
After seeing the dog inside the trap, Hall couldn’t hide her excitement. She was so relieved, knowing that from now on, this canine would no longer worry about being safe. Now, she was safe!
“No more nights hiding in the bushes. No more wondering if anyone would come for her. She’s safe now. And this is just the beginning of her new life,” Suzette wrote in the post.
Hall safely transported the dog to a local pet hospital in California. After receiving medical care, the pup was scanned for a microchip. Sadly, none was found, leaving her situation vague.
Abandoned or lost, the dog will stay with her caregivers until the (potential) owner reaches out. In the meantime, Hall and her fellow rescuers will make sure this lovely girl makes up for all the lost time in the wilderness.
Now, cuddles, kind words, and nice meals are all she needs!