“I opened the door to my van and she hopped right in …”
Resilient Pup Found Waiting by the Road Is Now Living Her Best Life
When Summer Whitmore, founder of Dog Days of Summer Sanctuary in Hawaii, arrived at a makeshift junkyard in search of stray dogs, she never expected to meet a new face that day.
She’d been regularly visiting the area, leaving food to build trust with local strays. As she approached a familiar truck where some dogs liked to gather, she noticed a pup she hadn’t seen before.
“My guess is she followed the scent of other dogs or the smell of food and made herself at home in the truck,” Whitmore told The Dodo.
Unlike most of the terrified dogs Whitmore usually encounters, this one — later named Peaches — seemed calm and ready for rescue. With her car already full of dogs, Whitmore gave Peaches some food, reassured her she’d be back, and rushed home to drop off the others.
When she returned, Peaches was right where she’d left her.
“She’d finished her food and was waiting patiently by the road,” Whitmore said. “I opened my van door, and she jumped in like she knew it was time. She licked my face, and we were off. I told her, ‘This is the first day of the rest of your life.’”
After a vet check-up, Peaches was diagnosed with mange, internal parasites, fleas, and several open wounds. She was also underweight. But under the sanctuary’s care — complete with a tailored diet and medical treatment — she’s on the road to full recovery.
Now thriving at Dog Days of Summer Sanctuary, Peaches is blossoming in her new environment. While many rescue dogs need time to adjust, Peaches embraced safety and comfort right away.
“She was just relieved — like she knew she was finally safe,” Whitmore said. “It was as if she was saying, ‘At last, I can rest.’”
Peaches is now enjoying the joys of dog life — playing with toys, exploring water, cuddling, and learning to walk on a leash. She’s well on her way to becoming the ideal companion for a loving family.
“Most strays experience some anxiety as they transition from survival to sanctuary,” Whitmore added. “Peaches will need a family that’s patient and willing to grow with her as she settles into this new chapter. But she’s ready.”