For over two years, George and Irene survived side by side on the harsh streets until kindness finally found its way to them.
Their journey wasn’t just about survival, but a reminder of how powerful it can be when someone treats dogs not as objects, but as living beings deserving of care.
“It Feels Like I’m Backstabbing Him…”
After rescuing two strays, a man in Los Angeles believed the right thing to do was to call for help. Yet that decision tore at him.
George and Irene had been inseparable during their years of homelessness. Life had been brutal.
Someone in the neighborhood once threatened to take them, breed them, and sell their puppies. Others threw objects at them or chased them with knives.
This man couldn’t watch their suffering any longer. He took them off the streets, though he couldn’t keep them permanently.
Heartbroken, he reached out to Hope For Paws.
When rescuers JoAnn Wiltz and Katie McKittrick arrived, the man wept, feeling as though he had betrayed the dogs.
But the truth was different. His call would save George’s life.
George was withdrawn, frightened of people, and kept his distance. Irene, on the other hand, welcomed the rescuers warmly. She was clearly George’s comfort and strength.
The Devastating Truth
George struggled to believe the rescuers meant well. He darted away from them repeatedly, even refusing the food they offered.
Seeing George’s fear, the man stepped in to help. Kneeling beside him, he held George close.
“I can’t help you like they will. I’m sorry,” he whispered through tears.
His love for the dogs made the moment unbearable. With a small dog already at home, he couldn’t provide for George and Irene, but it crushed him to let them go.
“I feel so horrible right now. I gained his trust and it feels like I’m backstabbing him. I’m so sorry boy. I’m sorry, okay? They are going to help you,” he said while completely breaking down in tears.
With his support, JoAnn and Katie were able to secure both dogs and transport them to the hospital.
There, the devastating truth came out.
“George was diagnosed with bone cancer. With your donations, Dr. Antonio Pedraza was able to perform a life saving surgery. We were able to save his life, but we could not save his leg,” Hope For Paws said in the video.
That call had given George a future he would not have had otherwise. Though it felt like betrayal, it was salvation.
George and Irene were transferred into the care of Guardian Angel Pet Rescue. There, they received rehabilitation and training, along with the warmth of a foster home that welcomed them both.
Still deeply bonded, the pair were prepared for adoption with the hope that they could remain together.
The man who cried as he let them go believed he had failed them. In reality, his courage in asking for help was what spared George’s life and gave both dogs the chance to finally know love and safety.