How do you just walk away from a loyal companion?
Even after you have to say goodbye, the emptiness does not simply disappear. I think about that a lot when I remember Jackie, my beloved dog who slipped away taking a piece of my heart with him.
And then there are the dogs who are not even given the gift of being held in someone’s memory with love. My chest tightened all over again when I heard about a dog stuck alone in an abandoned home in California, left behind with no food and no water.
For seven long days, he hung on, fighting to make it through. And by the smallest margin, help showed up just in time.
A Frightening Scene Of Neglect
Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29in Irvine, California, has witnessed countless heartbreaking situations in her rescue work. Yet when she heard of a dog tied up in an empty house, her sorrow felt fresh and piercing.
She reached out to her friend, Kym Marie, who went immediately to assess the situation. What she found was devastating.
“He had almost given up, left behind after they moved away in the tiniest spot where no one could see him, his leash tied,” Hall shared in a Facebook post.
The dog had curled into a tight ball, as though trying to sleep through the despair. Weak, dehydrated, and starving, he had gone a full week without food or water.
“It had been about a week since they moved out and it’s been so hot. They did not leave any food or water even. Kym gave him food and water for the first time in a week,” Hall explained.
After giving him a first gentle taste of care, Hall and Kym worked carefully to plan his extraction.
They approached slowly, speaking in soft tones and offering reassurance. At last, the terrified pup allowed himself to be lifted into Hall’s car.
For the first time in days, he was moving toward safety and hope.
A New Chapter Begins
When Hall saw the dog’s tail begin to wag, emotion welled in her chest.
“When I picked him up, he literally wiggled his little frail tail. Our hearts sunk. His gums were pale,” Hall wrote.
It was as if he finally understood that rescue had arrived. Rather than resisting, he leaned into Hall, trusting her completely.
She drove him straight to the veterinarian, intent on restoring his health and lifting his spirit.
“I got him to my vet as fast as I could and I told him we’re going to bring the Joy back,” Hall concluded.
After surviving neglect and a desperate week of solitude, this courageous dog finally has a second chance. Ahead of him lies comfort, care, and the love he has always deserved.
