For at least a month, a filthy stray pup lived along the railroad tracks in Compton, California. She had no intentions of letting anyone get too close. Whatever must have occurred in her past had left a lasting impression on her, and she chose not to trust humans ever again.
On Friday, June 5, her fate was about to change. A local rescuer had been in the area and began to ask questions about the dog he spotted running along the railroad tracks that had intentionally created a large distance between her and anyone trying to pursue her.
The people in the neighborhood had all noticed her living there. Every day she would make the dangerous trip back and forth from the railroad tracks to a parking lot across the way, where she hid underneath broken-down cars. That was her life. That was how she survived.
Fortunately, someone had been leaving food and water out for her, and that simple act of compassion is what kept her alive.
Suzette Hall, founder of the nonprofit animal rescue, Logan’s Legacy 29, had been called and asked to help.
When I first arrived, I couldn’t find her anywhere. I searched and searched until I started looking underneath the cars. And there she was.
Dirty. Scared. Covered in oil and grime.
The moment the dog spotted Suzette she fled from underneath the vehicle to the corner of the parking lot where she felt she could hide. Again, she slipped underneath another car, and this was Suzette’s chance to capture her and yes, change her life.
Silently, she set baby gates around the entire car, leaving only a small opening. Then she got down flat on the ground. The car was only a few inches off the pavement. Hall could barely fit underneath, but with patience and slow moves, she worked to get her Snappy Snare on her.
For anyone not familiar with a Snappy Snare, it is a light, handheld tool to quickly and humanely secure frightened animals in order to bring them to safety.
The frightened dog tried so hard to escape. Again and again she searched for a way out, but there wasn’t one. After a struggle, and what felt like forever, Hall finally led her safely out from beneath the vehicle.
The moment I lifted her into my arms and placed her into a crate inside my van, my heart just melted.
She was safe; no more railroad tracks and no more parking lots. She would never have to hide underneath another car and never wonder if she could find enough food to stave off the hunger pains in her stomach.
And now she is safe because one person had noticed her.
It is heartbreaking heart to think that if nobody had noticed her, she might still be out there today.
Today, her life changed forever. Meet Maggie. According to Suzette, Maggie is still very much afraid, but we promise her – life will get better and good things will continue to happen. Stay with it Maggie!
To donate:
Venmo:@LL_29
PayPal or Zelle:
Rescued in loving memory of my angel
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Baby koala.
