When Kaya Gwinn, founder of Shiloh’s Animal Rescue, saw a heartbreaking photo of a frightened mother dog and her four puppies abandoned in an orchard in Bakersfield, California, she knew she had to act quickly.
The rescue stepped in to help, taking in the little family and placing them in an emergency foster home.
The mama dog, later named Honey, was in rough shape—thin, crawling with ticks and fleas, and suffering from an old hip injury that left her with a limp.
Gwinn and her team suspected Honey had likely been kept outdoors and exploited for breeding.
After spending some time in temporary foster care, Honey came under Gwinn’s personal care when she brought her home to Los Osos. That’s when her transformation truly began.
Learning To Trust Again
The moment Honey arrived, it was clear how deeply traumatized she was.
She avoided people, hid whenever possible, and tried to shrink into herself. It was obvious she didn’t feel safe.
Gwinn quickly realized that Honey had probably never known the comfort of a real home.
Her heart sank when she noticed that Honey preferred lying in the dirt, as though it was the only place she had ever felt comfortable.
What Honey longed for most—yet had never been given—was love.
“I think she always wanted somebody to love her, but never really received affection that she’s always desired,“ Gwinn told GeoBeats Animals.
But Gwinn was determined to show her that kindness existed.
She patiently gave Honey affection and reassurance, slowly helping her understand that the world wasn’t something to fear.
Thanks to her foster mom’s unwavering devotion, Honey began to relax. With time, her emotional scars started to fade, and she bravely began leaving her painful past behind.
Discovering Love For The First Time
For Honey, experiencing genuine love was life-changing. She grew deeply attached to her foster mom, clinging to every moment of affection.
Now, she seizes every chance to snuggle, happily flopping onto Gwinn’s lap and soaking up cuddles she never had before.
Gwinn is continually amazed by Honey’s tender nature and considers her truly special.
“I feel really connected to her. I just feel like she’s just one of a kind. She helps me with, you know, sometimes I get stressed out and I don’t know just her flopping on my lap makes me feel infinitely better and I just love bringing her everywhere,” Gwinn said.
To give her a better quality of life, Honey underwent hip surgery, which improved her mobility.
Now thriving, Honey continues to live with Gwinn in Los Osos, California. Meanwhile, all four of her puppies have been adopted into loving homes.
The sweet mama is still waiting for her forever family—one that will give her the unconditional love she has always deserved.