Veronica Shea set out for a routine hike through the Angeles National Forest in California, her loyal dog trotting beside her.
The day felt ordinary until something unusual caught her eye: a massive, dark shape moving awkwardly up the face of a rocky cliff.
Curiosity pulled her closer, and she realized the figure wasn’t a shadow or debris. It was a dog, struggling to make its way up the steep terrain.
Without hesitation, Veronica began following, unaware that this decision would alter the lives of several dogs forever.
A Hidden Trio In The Mountains
The single dog led Veronica to two companions, forming a small, frightened trio.
Each was thin and wary, their ribs visible and eyes wide with distrust. It was clear they had been left to survive alone in the wilderness.
“You could see how malnourished they were. You could really see their ribs. You could count their vertebrae,” Veronica said.
Determined to help, Veronica returned regularly, carrying food and water up the mountain. Slowly, the dogs began to trust her, inching closer with each visit until they would eat directly from her hand.
That moment felt like a breakthrough, but Veronica knew her work was far from over.
She faced the challenge of safely removing them from the mountain. Any sudden attempt could send them scattering, so she realized she would need assistance.
A Coordinated Rescue Effort
When Veronica reached out for help, a team of rescuers quickly joined her mission.
“We came up with a plan. We have to build a crazy contraption that can be close by remote,” she explained.
Together, they transported materials up the rugged slopes and constructed a large, secure cage designed to hold all three dogs at once.
Hours of patience, gentle coaxing, and careful planning finally paid off as the dogs were guided inside and carried down to safety.
The rescued Mastiffs, later named Princess George, Grace, and Steve, were now free from the hardships of survival in the wild, ready to begin a new chapter.
Learning To Trust Humans Again
Once on safe ground, the team connected with Cheri Wulff Lucas, a respected California trainer and behaviorist, to help the dogs adjust to life around people.
“They weren’t adoptable the way they came. They couldn’t be touched. They couldn’t be leashed. They were just terrified,” Cheri explained.
Despite the progress they had made on the mountain, the Mastiffs were still easily startled and needed calm, patient guidance.
“It was going to take a very special home for them to go into because they’re not the kind of dogs that are going to go to the dog park. Even walking them on city streets would be a lot for them. And if they do spook, they weigh 125 pounds, so [they would be] very hard to contain.”
Cheri’s secluded home, far from traffic and neighbors, offered the perfect environment for their recovery.
Initially, Cheri did not intend to keep them, but as the dogs settled in and thrived under her care, they became part of her family and integral to her training work.
From Rescued Dogs To Canine Mentors
Over time, Princess George, Grace, and Steve discovered a new purpose: helping other fearful dogs overcome anxiety.
“If I get dogs that need socialization, to be more familiar and less reactive with other dogs, I use my pack to help rehabilitate them. And all three of them are highly social with dogs. They know how to smell properly, how to not overpower the dog that needs the socialization. They’re just flawless. And that’s not something I taught them. They came that way.”
One of their first protégés was Andi, a dog who had spent seven years in near-total isolation.
“It was really sweet to see. They brought her around in a way that I never could as a human,” Cheri said.
Cheri eventually adopted Andi as well, welcoming her as the twelfth member of her canine household.
Today, Princess George, Grace, and Steve are joyful, confident, and full of life, transformed from frightened survivors into steady, loving companions.
“If you came to my house and did not know their backstory, you would think they were like any other dog. They’re pets. They’re really pets now. They’re not cases for me anymore.”