Sunny had likely begun to lose hope as car after car sped past without stopping.
Perched on a highway median, the young pup sat alone and exposed, unsure where to find safety. She accepted the occasional food tossed from windows, but what she truly longed for was someone who would stop, notice her, and care. Just when it seemed no one would come, help arrived.
A Volunteer Pulls Over
Karla, a compassionate volunteer with Trapping, Rescue, and Pet Recovery Service (TRAPRS), was driving through Austin, Texas, when she spotted Sunny stranded on the median. The dog stared at traffic with a pleading expression, as if asking for someone to pause.
Fearing for Sunny’s safety, Karla pulled over and moved quickly.
“[It’s] our team’s worst nightmare: seeing this randomly while driving. With traffic picking up, we knew this dog had no good outcome if left to her own fate,” TRAPRS wrote on Instagram.
She had no equipment or treats with her, so she relied on calm words and a slow approach. Navigating between lanes when safe to do so, Karla inched closer and spoke softly to earn the dog’s trust.
Relieved to see a person finally coming for her, Sunny did not resist.
The moment Karla lifted her, the pup seemed to release a breath, as if she understood she was safe at last. Shortly after, another TRAPRS volunteer, Alicia, arrived to help them cross the highway with Sunny in Karla’s arms.
Safe Ride, First Meal, Deep Relief
Inside the car, Sunny’s body relaxed. For the first time in a long while, the situation felt promising. The volunteers offered food, and she ate gratefully. Soon after, Sunny was placed with an emergency foster where she could rest and begin to recover.
Hoping For A Gentle Home
Because her current foster is temporary, Sunny now needs a permanent family. She will do best in a quiet, loving household that can help her continue building confidence.
Her rescuers suspect she has gone without consistent affection for much of her life and would thrive in a peaceful, stable environment.
“She’s been through a lot and needs a patient family while she rests and comes out of her shell. She enjoys going outside for walks, taking naps and is quiet in her crate. She may do well with another calm dog. She could fare well in a home or apartment,” Caitlin Chapman, the director of TRAPRS, told The Dodo.
While she waits, Sunny is surrounded by people who care for her and show her kindness every day. With a full belly, a soft place to sleep, and gentle hands nearby, her past grows more distant. It feels like only a matter of time before she moves on to a forever family that will cherish her for the loving dog she is.