The saying that heroes come in many forms is never more evident than in the world of animal rescue. These dedicated people step in when no one else will, often giving their time, energy, and resources to save animals who have no one else looking out for them. Every rescue is a chance to change a life.
That is exactly what happened when Rosario Ortiz noticed a small dog weaving dangerously through traffic on a busy California road during her morning commute.
A Routine Drive Turns Into An Urgent Mission
Ortiz immediately pulled over, phoned her workplace to explain the delay, and contacted Suzette Hall, the founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 and a well known rescuer in the area.
Hall is known for responding quickly to emergency situations, and this time was no different. While Ortiz kept her eyes on the frightened dog from a safe distance, Hall gathered her rescue equipment and headed toward the location.
The moment the little dog saw Ortiz, she panicked and dashed behind a dumpster. It was clear she had been living in fear for quite some time.
When Hall arrived, she started knocking on doors nearby, hoping someone might know where the dog belonged. No one recognized her. It soon became clear the pup was fending for herself.
A Complicated Rescue With An Emotional Reveal
One kind neighbor allowed them to use his fenced yard to keep the dog from running back into the streets.
“But, she was so scared, hiding everywhere in the yard. Under trash and bushes. I saw her lying in the bush and could see sticks in her eyes and a big huge belly. Poor mama. She was petrified,” Hall shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Even inside the yard, the rescue proved incredibly challenging. The frightened dog darted from hiding spot to hiding spot, squeezing under piles of junk and doing everything she could to stay out of reach.
Hall and Ortiz realized they needed to stop giving her places to escape, so they began closing off every possible corner using extra fencing and gates. It was slow work, and the rescue stretched on for hours, but they kept going.
At last, they managed to guide her into a confined space.
“I carefully got my slip lead around her head. She fought me like crazy, but we weren’t letting go. The kind man brought in my trap and we got her safely inside. We were so relieved. She was finally safe,” Hall wrote.
Only then did they discover the reason for her extreme fear: she was close to giving birth.
The exhausted dog wasn’t just trying to protect herself. She had been trying to protect the puppies she was carrying. Surviving alone on the streets while heavily pregnant had pushed her into constant survival mode.
Because of Hall and Ortiz’s persistence, she was no longer in danger. She finally had shelter, food, and compassionate people who cared about her well being.
With her days of constant fear behind her, this soon to be mother will bring her puppies into a far safer world. And once they are old enough, each one will be placed in a loving home where they will grow up surrounded by care.