Rescuing animals brings incredible joy, but it also comes with moments that completely break a rescuer’s heart.
When a woman named Faith Easdale noticed a tiny dog sitting by the side of a busy California road, something immediately stood out. The little pup was wearing a pink dress.
That small detail made Easdale think the dog must have a home nearby, simply waiting for her people to return. But a few days later, when she passed by the same road again, the sight made her heart sink. The pup was still there, sitting in the exact same spot.
Still Hoping To Be Found
Easdale quickly realized the small dog refused to leave because she believed her family would come back for her. The sadness on her face was unmistakable.
As a rescuer with Dream Fetchers, a California-based organization, Easdale knew she couldn’t leave her there any longer.
“I thought, ‘Oh no, poor little baby, sitting and waiting. So I raced out there and I didn’t see her. I always panic — praying they found [a] safe haven somewhere, but I continued to search. My friend met me and we started asking people in the area,” Easdale wrote in a Facebook post.
After speaking to locals, one man told Easdale that the pup had been hanging around the same area for days. When she got scared, she would hide in the bushes.
Determined to find her, Easdale checked every bush until finally, she spotted the little pink-dressed dog huddled quietly in the grass.
“I walked quietly and there she was, the saddest sight. We very quietly set baby gates around and I went in slowly. She was so scared,” Easdale wrote.
After sitting with her for a while, Easdale noticed just how gentle and kind the pup was. Slowly, she began to trust her rescuer.
“Once I got her settled, she actually crawled in my lap and gave me the sweetest kisses. [I] took off that filthy dress, gave her a nice dinner and soft blanket,” Easdale wrote.
Beginning Her Fresh Start
Back at home, Easdale gave the little dog a warm bubble bath and checked for any signs of illness or injury.
Aside from a coat full of mats, she was surprisingly healthy. Easdale searched for a collar or microchip but found neither, leaving her uncertain if the dog had truly been abandoned.
“We rarely know the story. Usually, if there is an owner, they would have shown up by now. The area wasn’t good where she was sitting and waiting,” Easdale told The Dodo.
The following morning, Easdale treated her new rescue to a professional grooming session. When she came back to pick her up, she was amazed. The little pup looked completely transformed.
Easdale decided to name her Sugar, a fitting name for such a sweet spirit.
“I feel like this is the turning point so many times — like a little Cinderella story. Giving them a second chance is what keeps us doing this. Keeps pushing, hoping for better days,” Easdale wrote in a Facebook post.
Sugar is now looking for a loving foster home where she can unwind and finally feel safe. Easdale is confident that once she’s ready, this adorable girl will have no trouble finding her forever family.
