An old tire left behind on a deserted dead-end road beneath a freeway overpass in Muscoy, California, became a shelter for three small dogs.
Seeking refuge from the harsh sun, the puppies had curled up inside the tire, pressed tightly together to stay cool. In such a remote and scorching place, their odds of surviving were slim.
Luckily, their situation changed when a passerby noticed them and decided to step in.
Help Arrives Just in Time
A man who had accidentally taken a wrong turn noticed a scruffy white Terrier lying on a heap of garbage. Realizing how dangerously hot it was, he knew the dogs needed assistance right away. He contacted Faith Easdale, a Muscoy-based rescuer from Dream Fetchers: Project Rescue.
Faith was not surprised by the call.
“We do this all the time. We see dogs dumped in underpasses, fields, canyons, freeways, you name it — and that area is one of the worst. Hardly anyone would go there or even see these dogs, and even if they had seen them, they would have kept on going. They just don’t care. It’s an everyday occurrence,” Faith told The Dodo.
Faith reached out to her fellow rescuer, Cassandra Aldridge, asking her to head to the site immediately. When Cassandra arrived, she spotted the Terrier first, but then noticed two more little faces peeking out from inside the tire.
A Gentle Escape From The Heat
The pups were weak, parched, and unable to move much from where they lay. Realizing the intensity of the heat, Cassandra carefully lifted the entire tire and placed it on the back seat of her car.
She wasn’t sure how long the dogs had been stranded there, but once she turned on the air conditioning, she could see how relieved they were to feel cool air again.
When Faith met Cassandra and the dogs shortly after, the frightened trio huddled in the back seat, hesitant to come out. With patience and kindness, Faith wrapped them in soft blankets and offered cold water, which they eagerly drank.
“I stroked their heads and let them know that they were OK, and then I put [them] one by one in a crate. They just were so lethargic that they didn’t even want to run. But they were all so happy to be in that crate huddled together,” she said.
As Faith watched the white pup rest her paws on the black one, who appeared to have recently given birth, she felt a deep sense of compassion for them.
Recovery And Care
The rescuers brought the three dogs to a nearby veterinary clinic where they received thorough medical attention and hydration.
Because the clinic staff needed names for their records, Faith and Cassandra decided to name the trio after tire brands: Michelin, Pirelli, and Kumho.
Although they were infested with fleas and ticks and had bald patches from scratching, the little group seemed grateful to finally be safe.
Their comfort grew even more after being groomed, spayed or neutered, and given dental care.
“Pirelli and Kumho were both lactating, meaning they were still producing milk for puppies that were hopefully old enough to be weaned; Michelin was shut down and protective and is opening up as the days go by. The girls are so loving and seem to feel like royalty with their new ’dos. Michelin is still too proud to wiggle his tail but we can see the light coming back to his eyes,” Hedy Alison, office manager of Camino Pet Hospital, wrote in a hospital report.
After vaccinations and microchipping, the pups were placed into foster homes where they began to heal and rediscover trust. Slowly, their energy returned, and they started to experience happiness again.
A Fresh Start For The Tire Trio
Once they were fully recovered, each of the dogs found a forever home.
Michelin was adopted first. It was a relief for Faith, who had worried most about his fragile state.
“This tire baby was the one I was worried might not even survive the transport to the hospital. He seemed the most broken! He wouldn’t take the water offered and I knew we had to HURRY to get him help! Thankfully he recovered and was given that second chance! Just look how amazing he looks now. And he has a brand-new mama who will give him tons of attention,” Faith shared in a Facebook post.
Pirelli and Kumho were adopted together, moving into a spacious home with a woman who treasures them deeply and ensures they will never be neglected again.
After everything they endured, this small family of survivors is finally thriving. From a life of abandonment beneath a freeway to homes filled with love and care, their story is a reminder of how a single act of kindness can change everything.
May their days now be filled only with safety, affection, and play.
