A woman in California noticed something unusual resting on a hillside near her home one afternoon, a shape that kept pulling her attention back.
She initially assumed it was a coyote and thought little of it. But when the same figure remained in exactly the same spot for three consecutive days, concern replaced curiosity. The realization followed quickly, it was a dog, the same one neighbors had been discussing on the Nextdoor app.
The animal appeared drained and overwhelmed, its body showing clear signs of dehydration and too much time under the relentless sun.
Struggling In Unbearable Conditions
For close to two weeks, people in the area had seen the dog wandering around, though no one could figure out where she belonged.
Worried for the dog’s health, the woman reached out to Suzette Hall, a well known animal rescuer based in Irvine, California.
“It was so hot that day. I was feeling so dizzy, but I thought, ‘She’s gotta be hotter’,” Hall told The Dodo.
The dog had chosen a high, shaded spot on the hill as her refuge, which made approaching her extremely difficult. Thankfully, some neighbors allowed Hall to use their yards so she could get closer to the location where the dog was hiding.
Despite the challenge, Hall was committed to getting the dog out safely.
When Hall finally reached the shaded patch on the hillside, she immediately saw how dire the situation was.
“You could tell that she hadn’t had water in days,” Hall said.
She placed a humane trap nearby and set out a bowl of water and treats. The thirsty dog drank quickly, but she kept her distance from the trap.
Hall tried speaking to her calmly, hoping familiarity would build trust, but the dog remained hesitant. Hall eventually decided to return with fresh chicken to increase the chances of success.
“I put the chicken in the trap and started to walk away and … I heard the trap shut. I turned around and started crying. This was such a hard rescue because of the location she was in, so I was exhausted and hot, and I couldn’t hold back my emotions,” Hall wrote in a Facebook post.
To Hall’s shock, the dog inside the trap was not an older stray but a young Belgian Malinois puppy, only about seven months old.
Because the hillside was steep, Hall could not carry the trap down alone. She contacted the local fire department for assistance.
Four firefighters came to help, and together they brought the puppy safely down after she had spent weeks in dangerous heat.
A Bright New Beginning
“I named her Sunshine because it was so hot and because she’s a bright light of sunshine,” Hall said.
The name fit perfectly. Although no one knew her past, her future looked much more hopeful.
“She’s just so scared. She’ll let you pet her, but she just shakes. That’s typical for being on the streets for a long time,” Hall explained.
Sunshine was taken to a veterinarian in Irvine for medical care and time to recover. With gentle handling and rest, she slowly began to feel safe again.
When she was ready, she went to stay with Brittany, a skilled dog trainer who offered to foster her.
It wasn’t long before Brittany realized this puppy belonged with her permanently.
In a touching post, she wrote: “Originally was fostering, but when she walked up to me and gave me my first kiss, it was a wrap and I asked to adopt her.”
Now officially part of the family, Sunshine spends her days loved, secure, and happily playing with her dog sister, Akeela.