“He wanted help so bad” 💔
As a 5.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Southern California last month, most people rushed to safety. But on a quiet street in Los Angeles, a lonely stray dog was left behind—curled up at the end of a cul-de-sac near a school, completely alone and trembling with fear.
Covered in debris and visibly shaken, the small, shaggy dog was discovered hours after the quake, still frozen in fear. “[He had] sticks tangled in his fur and was visibly shaking,” wrote Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, on Facebook. “That poor pup must’ve been terrified during the earthquake.”
Once word reached Hall, she and longtime volunteer Mary Nakiso wasted no time. Nakiso arrived first and was heartbroken by what she saw: the dog had been left with food and water, but no one had stayed to ensure his safety.
“Someone had tried to offer help but didn’t bring him to safety,” Hall shared. “Mary sat with him and promised we wouldn’t leave him behind.”
Named Royce, the dog didn’t resist their approach. Despite being scared, he seemed ready to accept help.
“He didn’t try to run. He just let me gently slip the lead around his neck,” Hall wrote. “He was so relieved—like he knew he was finally being rescued.”
Hall carefully carried Royce to her van and brought him to Camino Pet Hospital for a full checkup and some much-needed care. There, he received a gentle bath and was treated to kindness he hadn’t known in a long time. The vet team also trimmed away the thick mats and sticks tangled in his fur, revealing a joyful, smiling dog underneath.
With a fresh look and a clean bill of health, Royce moved into a foster home where he continues to thrive. Though he’s still waiting for a forever family to call his own, he’s surrounded by love and safety at last.
“Royce hasn’t stopped smiling since,” Hall told The Dodo. “He finally feels safe.”