I’ve witnessed countless cases of dogs enduring unimaginable cruelty, and sadly, it’s rare for me to be surprised anymore.
But this case… it still left me stunned at just how heartless some people can be.
On one side, you have amazing, compassionate people who dedicate themselves to caring for animals. On the other, there are those who treat them as if they have no value at all.
This story is yet another painful reminder of the latter — a starving dog abandoned to fend for herself on train tracks. Thankfully, her fate took a much better turn when help arrived.
Barely Hanging On
When rescuer Suzette Hall heard about a frail dog surviving near train tracks in California, she immediately knew she had to step in.
Alongside her friend, Mary Nakiso, she set out to find the dog’s location and do whatever it took to save her.
Seeing the pup up close was heartbreaking. Severely underweight, she appeared not to have eaten in days.
Determined to act quickly, they tried right away to catch her — but it wasn’t going to be simple.
The moment the dog spotted anyone, she bolted. Even the faintest noise sent her running in fear, a clear sign that she had been mistreated before.
It was obvious that her trust in humans had been shattered. Witnessing her fear was just as painful as seeing her physical state.
Suzette and Mary soon noticed she had a usual resting place — a small tree close to the tracks. They decided to set humane traps nearby, baiting them with food and water. But despite her hunger, she refused to go inside.
A Breakthrough
Each time she would only sniff the food before darting away. Hall began to wonder if she had spent her life confined in a cage, which could explain her fear of entering the trap.
By the next morning, they tried again. Even though she had resorted to eating scraps of paper to survive, she still avoided the kennel filled with food.
Eventually, they spotted her wandering into a nearby neighborhood. One of the residents noticed her lingering in distress and realized she needed help.
Hall asked if she could use the man’s yard to try to lure the dog in — and the plan worked. Once she was inside, they closed the gate, and just like that, she was safe.
In that moment, it was as if she finally gave up the struggle and let herself be helped. She was exhausted and desperately hungry.
The rescuers wasted no time getting her to the shelter for a full veterinary check. To everyone’s relief, her bloodwork came back normal.
All she needed now was nourishment, care, and time to heal — and she’d be ready for a forever home.
It’s hard to imagine what she went through in those days alone on the train tracks. But thanks to Suzette, Mary, and the kind homeowner who opened his yard, she now has the chance to start fresh.
After so much hardship, this brave pup finally gets to know safety, love, and the promise of a better life ahead.