In a quiet California neighborhood, a woman’s attention was drawn to a mysterious figure lying on a nearby hill. Initially mistaking it for a coyote, she took a closer look after three days of spotting it in the same place and realized it was a dog.
Neighbors had already mentioned the dog on the Nextdoor app, noting its wandering but uncertain origins. The poor creature appeared worn out from lack of water and the intense sun.
For about two weeks, residents had seen the dog aimlessly roaming, with no clue of its home or owner. Concerned for its well-being, the woman contacted Suzette Hall, a renowned animal rescuer in Irvine, California.
“It was unbearably hot that day. Even feeling dizzy myself, I thought, ‘This dog must be even hotter,'” Hall shared with The Dodo.
The dog had perched itself on a shaded, elevated spot, making it tricky for anyone to reach her. Luckily, supportive neighbors offered Hall access to their yards, allowing her to get closer to the dog’s hideout.
Despite the difficulties, Hall was determined to rescue the dog safely.
When she arrived at the hill’s shaded section, Hall saw the dog’s dire condition. “She looked as if she hadn’t sipped water in days,” Hall recounted. She set up a humane trap with a bowl of water and treats.
The dog drank eagerly but kept a cautious distance from the trap. Hall tried calming the dog with gentle words, hoping to gain trust, yet the dog remained tentative. To increase her chances, Hall returned with fresh chicken.
“As I placed the chicken in the trap and began walking away, I heard the trap snap shut. I turned around and cried with relief. The demanding rescue had drained me emotionally and physically,” Hall wrote on Facebook.
To Hall’s surprise, the captured dog was not an older stray—she was a young Belgian Malinois, merely seven months old. The hill’s steepness made it impossible for Hall to carry the trap down on her own.
She reached out to the local fire department, and four firefighters arrived to assist, ensuring the puppy’s safe descent after enduring the sweltering heat.
“I named her Sunshine. The name seemed perfect given the heat and her radiant spirit,” Hall remarked. The puppy’s history was a mystery, but her prospects appeared promising.
“She’s very timid. She allows petting but trembles. It’s typical behavior after surviving on the streets for so long,” Hall noted.
Sunshine was taken to a veterinarian in Irvine to receive medical care and some much-needed rest. With gentle care and plenty of rest, she gradually regained a sense of safety.
Once ready, she went to live with Brittany, a talented dog trainer who offered to foster her.
It soon became apparent to Brittany that Sunshine had found her forever home. In a heartfelt message, she shared, “I initially intended to foster, but after her first kiss, I knew I had to adopt her.”
Now fully embraced as part of the family, Sunshine enjoys days filled with love and joy, playing with her new dog sister, Akeela.
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