It’s truly heartbreaking when a dog loses faith in people after being mistreated.
They can’t grasp that not all humans are the same, yet with patience and kindness, many are willing to give us a second chance.
This story is about three large dogs who were abandoned on a California mountain by their owner before crossing paths with their rescuer.
Lost On A Mountain
It was just another ordinary day when Veronica set out hiking with her dog on a mountain trail in California, only to notice something unusual.
She saw a dark shape moving up the cliffside. Unsure of what it was, she decided to get a closer look.
She told The Dodo: “He went up the side of a cliff. I kind of ventured into the trees and I realized it was three dogs.”
Veronica immediately realized how thin they were, ribs and vertebrae sticking out. Clearly, they hadn’t eaten in days.
The dogs urgently needed help, but when she tried to approach them, they were too frightened to come near her car.
So she chose another approach: she left food for them and went home, hoping to return again.
When she contacted Animal Control, she was told the terrain was too dangerous for their team to intervene, leaving her with few options.
That’s when Veronica knew she had to take matters into her own hands. “Now I have this huge responsibility for three lives and I don’t know what to do,” she admitted.
She began spending hours in the forest, sitting quietly with a plate of food nearby, trying to earn their trust. The dogs hesitated every time, but hunger eventually pushed them closer.
Her father, who came along to help, named the trio Grace, Steve, and George. Together, they returned day after day, hoping the dogs would finally believe in them.
A Very Successful Rescue
Three weeks later, their patience paid off. The dogs were brave enough to eat straight from their hands, a huge step forward.
Still, it was clear this method couldn’t continue forever. With the help of a larger group of volunteers, they built a big kennel and baited it with food.
When all three entered, the door closed behind them. Incredibly, it worked perfectly on the very first attempt.
Veronica said: “It went so smoothly. Once we got them, I basically just cried all the way down the mountain.”
Thanks to Veronica, her dad, and the amazing group of helpers, Grace, Steve, and George were finally safe.
They were transferred to a California shelter, where their rescuers kept supporting them throughout their recovery.
Slowly, the three dogs started learning to enjoy life again, walking, playing, and exploring with curiosity instead of fear.
Though it’s uncertain what the future holds, one thing is clear: the rescuers have given them every chance to find loving forever homes with people who will treat them the way they deserve.