How do you leave behind a faithful friend?
Even after saying farewell, the grief lingers. I often wonder this myself after losing Jackie, my beloved dog, who crossed the rainbow bridge and carried a piece of my heart with him.
But not everyone feels that ache. My heart sank once again when I learned of a dog left completely on his own in an abandoned California home, without food or water.
For seven endless days, he clung to life. Thankfully, help arrived just in time.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 in Irvine, California, has seen many tragedies in her rescue work. But when she learned about a dog left tied up in an empty house, she felt a new wave of sorrow.
She reached out to her friend, Kym Marie, who immediately went to check on the situation. What Kym found was devastating.
“He had almost given up, left behind after they moved away in the tiniest spot where no one could see him, his leash tied,” Hall shared in a Facebook post.
The dog had curled himself into a ball, trying to sleep away his despair. Weak, dehydrated, and hungry, he had gone an entire week without food or water.
“It had been about a week since they moved out and it’s been so hot. They did not leave any food or water even. Kym gave him food and water for the first time in a week,” Hall explained.
After that first small taste of care, Hall and Kym carefully devised a plan to bring him out safely.
They approached slowly, speaking softly and offering comfort. At last, the frightened pup allowed himself to be lifted into Hall’s car.
For the first time in days, he was on his way to a brighter future.
Hope Returns With A Wagging Tail
When Hall noticed the dog wagging his tail, her heart filled with emotion.
“When I picked him up, he literally wiggled his little frail tail. Our hearts sunk. His gums were pale,” Hall wrote.
It was as if the exhausted pup realized help had come. Instead of resisting, he leaned into Hall, surrendering to her care.
She drove him straight to the vet, determined to restore both his health and his spirit.
“I got him to my vet as fast as I could and I told him we’re going to bring the Joy back,” Hall concluded.
After surviving neglect and a lonely, desperate week, this brave dog finally has another chance. His future will now be filled with comfort, kindness, and the love he has always deserved.