Saving and bringing joy back to an abandoned animal’s life is one of the most rewarding experiences for anyone with a compassionate heart.
For a dog, there’s nothing greater than having the emotional wounds caused by a human gently mended by another.
Still, no matter how much effort someone puts in, some dogs are so emotionally scarred that they refuse to step into the light.
It’s during these moments that only the most patient and loving individuals can truly make a difference.
Someone Unusual Was Hiding In A Sewer Drain
The Los Angeles area is home to many rescue groups and shelters that dedicate themselves to helping abandoned or mistreated animals.
Even so, far too many dogs still end up fending for themselves on city streets, in deserted buildings, deep holes, and outer neighborhoods.
One such case involved a six-month-old retriever mix who managed to stay hidden beneath a neighborhood for several weeks before anyone even noticed her.
Her refuge was inside a sewer drain. Though she occasionally poked her head out, most pedestrians either missed her entirely or walked past without realizing she was there.
That changed when one observant passerby spotted her and snapped a quick photo, sharing it on Facebook. What happened next surprised everyone. A growing number of people came to see the dog for themselves.
Sadly, the attention made things harder. The more people tried to get close, the more the dog retreated. She would scurry back down the drain—nearly 18 feet in.
This situation clearly needed experienced help. That’s when Suzette Hall, the founder of Logan’s Legacy, and her team arrived to step in.
The mission to rescue her was finally underway.
Rescue Proved Tougher Than Expected
Tucked deep inside what Hall referred to as the “hole,” the puppy was completely out of reach. Even using long poles and tools, the team couldn’t coax her out.
Hall noticed that the growing crowd was only adding to the dog’s anxiety. She kindly asked everyone to leave so the rescue could go more smoothly. With fewer distractions, she began planning.
“We knew we had to get her hole covered,” Hall said. “That was the only way we’d have a chance to get her.”
The group waited two full days and one night for the dog, later named Cora, to become hungry enough to emerge.
Eventually, driven by hunger, Cora peeked out of the drain. That’s when Rosario and Rebecca from the team sprang into action, covering the hole immediately.
With her hiding spot blocked, Cora dashed beneath a nearby car. The rescuers used baby gates to block her in, and Hall carefully slipped a snare leash over her.
“When they yelled out, ‘Suzette, you got her,’ I literally couldn’t hold back the tears,” Hall said. “We all stood there and sobbed.”
The entire team felt for the frightened dog, especially knowing how much that sewer had come to represent safety for her over the two weeks she’d been down there. It had become her comfort zone.
Still, blocking her retreat was the only way to lead her into a new chapter of life.
A Fresh Start For A Shy Pup
Once they ensured Cora couldn’t flee again, they brought her to Camino Pet Hospital, located near Los Angeles.
She was soon declared healthy and treated to a much-needed bath. After that, she was cleared for foster placement.
Cora hasn’t found her forever home just yet, but she’ll soon be heading to a loving foster home.
And given how sweet, playful, and affectionate she’s already shown herself to be, there’s no doubt she’ll find her happy ending before long.