Rescuers Work For Over 12 Hours To Help Save Abandoned Dog From Busy Country Road

Nov 10, 2020

In this heartbreaking story from October 2020, a dog was rescued after a long and extended effort by two rescuers. The poor animal was afraid and unwilling to leave behind her friend who had already died, but the rescuers did not give up. After hours of patience, she was finally caught and taken to the vet to heal her wounds, thanks to the unwavering efforts of Pinky Paws Search & ResQ from California. 

Sometimes, it is easy to question the nature of certain humans. Such is the case of this abandoned pooch, now called Ziggy. Someone reported Ziggy to Krystal Woodard and her husband, owners of Pinky Paws Search and ResQ, reports FOX26.

Apparently, the pup was stranded on a very busy section of the road so, Krystal and her husband set out to find her. When they located the dog, they couldn't believe their eyes! The situation was much more dire than either of them could have expected.

Not only was the dog in perilous danger being so close to the street, but she was also keeping watch over another, deceased dog. Krystal and her husband found the shocking sight to be utterly heartbreaking.

It is observed that some dogs want to stay by the side of their deceased companions, whether they are humans or animals. It is uncertain whether they find comfort in being near their loved one or if they are even aware they have passed on. Perhaps, this dog was waiting on her buddy to simply wake up.

As they were able to get closer to the dog, another, possibly even more heartbreaking, fact was discovered. Both dogs had ropes tied around their necks, and it appeared they had chewed through them in order to escape whatever harrowing life they were living.

Can you imagine the desperation the dogs felt to both have chewed through their binds? Had they been neglected and left to die? It is hard to imagine anyone being so inhumane towards helpless and loving animals. 

And for one of the dogs to lose its life in pursuit of a better one just feels like a punch in the gut. However, our story doesn't end here.

Retrieving the dog from his precarious place near the road would prove even more challenging. Not only was the dog traumatized by the loss of her friend, but she was clearly also terrified of human beings.

They had to find a way to get to Ziggy without scaring her into oncoming traffic which routinely consisted of large semi-trucks. One wrong move could easily make Ziggy run for her life and possibly lose it.

Krystal and her husband came up with a plan to try to lure the dog into a trap. They used hamburgers and chicken as bait, because wouldn't any hungry dog rush after a good burger or chicken? They also mounted a camera in the direction of where they set the trap, reports FOX26.

Now, they had nothing to do but wait. Ziggy, however, was much smarter than she had been given credit for. She figured out how to trigger the trap without getting herself caught inside. Perhaps she had learned this valuable trick in the street life she led.

You can tell that Ziggy really wants the chicken inside the trap in the video below. She barks and jumps at it, but she knows better than to go inside. She consistently paces around the cage before returning to sit by her companion.

Day turns to night before Ziggy actually goes inside the cage after the food. After about four hours, the husband and wife team decided to move the body of the deceased dog from the area. Ziggy had repeatedly tried to wake and rouse her friend to play to no avail. It is truly a heartbreaking sight.

It was incredibly nerve-wracking waiting for Ziggy to get caught in the trap. In the video, you can see the headlights of cars passing by on the street. At this time of the night, it would be hard to see the little black dog in time to stop if she got into the street.

Finally, after what feels like a lifetime, Ziggy gets caught in the cage. "We were on edge watching the camera taking turns." Krystal told FOX26, "Me and my husband. Ziggy, finally triggered the trap and it took 12 hours." You can see one of the rescuers approach the cage with a flashlight to make sure she is inside. At this point, Ziggy's rescue is still far from complete.

Krystal and her husband know that Ziggy needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. She was so afraid of humans that she shivered whenever anyone got close to her. She huddled in the corner of the examination room with her head down.

Her fur was matted with stickers and garbage entwined in it. The rope around her neck had to be carefully removed and had several knots tied in it. It wasn't even until after she was shaved that her sex was determined.

Ziggy has a long road to recovery even if she is healing from her external wounds. She never knew what it was like to have a loving family take care of her. Krystal and her husband are helping to rehabilitate her, so that she can begin to trust humans again.

At the end of this video, you will see that Ziggy is an adorable little dog. It was so hard to believe what cuteness was waiting under all that matted fur!

So, what do you think of Ziggy's story and the patience of Krystal and her husband's rescue. Share this video with all your friends for a pick-me-up!