It’s difficult to fully grasp the emotional weight animal rescuers carry when they’re called into situations marked by danger and neglect. Day after day, they step into scenes most people never see, absorbing heartbreak that would stop others in their tracks. The reality they face isn’t just sad, it’s deeply draining in ways that are hard to put into words.
Suzette Hall, a devoted rescuer based in California, knows this burden all too well. She has spent years answering urgent calls, driven by the belief that no animal should be left to suffer alone, no matter how grim the circumstances.
So when a report came in about two dogs surviving on active railroad tracks, Suzette rushed out without hesitation. But the moment she arrived on site, the situation unfolding in front of her hit harder than she ever expected, leaving her shaken and heartbroken.
A Disturbing Discovery
Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, a rescue organization in Irvine, California, received an urgent plea about two stray dogs that had been spotted living on active railroad tracks.
The caller shared that the dogs had been there for several days and never left each other’s side.
Without hesitation, Hall set off for the location. But when she arrived, she was only able to find one of the dogs.
“I received a message about two dogs living on the railroad tracks for the past 5 days and that they were always right by each other’s side. When I pulled up, I could hear the little girl crying, sitting alone by the train,” Hall said in a Facebook post.
The young female pup was sitting alone next to the tracks, crying desperately, as though she was trying to get someone’s attention. She looked distressed, but she refused to leave her spot.
The Heartbreaking Reason
Hall quickly understood why the pup hadn’t moved. Just a few feet away, her best friend lay severely injured and unable to move.
Hall’s heart sank as she approached. The second dog had a serious leg injury, and it soon became clear that she had been hit by a car, leaving her unable to walk.
“I can’t imagine the pain she was in and how long she laid there in shock and pain. Look at that break in her leg,” Hall wrote in another post.
Rescuing The Dogs
Determined to save both dogs, Hall set up a humane trap to safely capture them. She quickly transported the dogs to the vet for immediate treatment.
The injured dog, whom Hall initially thought was male, turned out to be a female. She was named Gumball.
“I thought she was a boy, but she is a girl, and if her little friend had not been crying for her, I don’t know if I would’ve even seen her. We have named her Gumball,” Hall explained.
Now under the care of Hall and her veterinary team, both dogs are being closely monitored. Gumball will continue her treatment, and once she recovers, both pups will be placed in foster care where they can experience the safety and love they deserve.“My hope is that these two never have to be apart again—unless it’s because they’ve each found their happily-ever-after with wonderful families who will cherish them forever,” Hall shared.