Every stray dreams of a soft bed, a loving touch, and a home to call their own. Sadly, for many homeless pups, that dream never comes true.
One little Pomeranian, later named Marshmallow, had nearly stopped believing in happy endings. Struggling to survive each day, he unknowingly wandered into one of the most dangerous places possible: the railway tracks of Los Angeles, California.
With trains rumbling nearby and nowhere else to go, the small dog made the tracks his temporary shelter, curling up beneath an industrial trailer. He had no idea how close he was to tragedy.
A Desperate Plea for Help
When animal rescuer Rosario Ortiz first spotted the tiny dog sleeping along the tracks, her heart broke. Seeing such a fragile creature in that dangerous place was almost unbearable.
Knowing she couldn’t do it alone, she reached out to Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 in Irvine, California. Hall immediately grabbed her rescue gear and drove straight to the location.
When she arrived an hour later, Marshmallow was still there, sound asleep beside the tracks, completely unaware of the danger that surrounded him.
Hall quietly set up a humane trap filled with delicious treats and waited patiently nearby, hoping the smell of food would lure him in.
When the little dog woke up, he began sniffing the air and cautiously approached the trap. He was starving, but just as he was about to step inside, a passing pedestrian frightened him.
Startled, Marshmallow bolted straight down the tracks, running for his life.
A Race Against Time
Hall and Ortiz’s hearts dropped. They knew a single wrong move could end in disaster. Without hesitation, they jumped into their cars and followed him, doing everything they could to keep him in sight.
Eventually, Marshmallow ran into a fenced area near the tracks, finally running out of places to go. The rescuers seized the opportunity, setting up baby gates to block his escape and closing in carefully.
At last, Ortiz was able to scoop him up safely into her arms. For the first time in what must have felt like forever, Marshmallow was out of danger.
Finally Out Of Harm’s Way
At first, Marshmallow was disoriented, trembling and unsure of what was happening. But as Hall gently stroked his fur and spoke softly to him, something inside him shifted. His breathing slowed, and his eyes grew heavy with relief.
“The best part was [when] he knew he was safe, he could hardly keep his eyes open and laid all the way to [in the] back of the trap. He didn’t have to live on the railroad tracks or sleep hiding under that trailer ever again. He was rescued,” Hall wrote on Facebook.
Hall drove him straight to Camino Pet Hospital, where he was given a full checkup and a soothing bath.
To everyone’s relief, Marshmallow was found to be healthy despite his ordeal. Soon after, he moved into a loving foster home, where he could rest and recover in peace.
A Cuddle Bug At Heart
Once Marshmallow realized he was safe, his true nature began to shine through. Gone was the frightened stray who slept among the rails. In his place was a sweet, affectionate dog who loved nothing more than being held.
“Marshmallow is the biggest cuddle bug ever. He is beyond happy to be saved. He just cuddles into your arms,” Hall told The Dodo.
Thanks to the compassion of those who refused to give up, Marshmallow’s story has a happy ending. Now, he is loved, protected, and ready for the forever family he always dreamed of.
