“[It] was heartbreaking to see …”
From Heartbreak to Hope: The Abandoned Poodle Who Found Her Forever Home
Driving along the narrow backroads of rural Georgia, Audray Luck held her breath. As founder of Luck’s Rescue, she had made this trip to Murphy Hollow Spring many times before — a remote area known for heartbreaking cases of animal abandonment. She hoped this visit would be different.
But as she rounded a bend, her heart sank. Lying in the middle of the road were two adult poodles — one black, one golden — frightened and alone, with no sign of their owner. A concerned passerby had alerted Luck earlier that day, but seeing the scene in person confirmed the worst.
Luck pulled over and quickly gathered her rescue gear — treats, leashes, and plenty of patience. She and her partner began gently coaxing the dogs with food, inching closer each time the nervous pair accepted a bite.
“They were eating out of our hands,” Luck told The Dodo, “but the moment we moved to slip on a leash, they bolted. They were terrified.”
For hours, the rescuers tried every trick they knew, but the poodles stayed just out of reach, darting down the road whenever they got too close. As darkness fell, Luck faced a painful choice — leave for the night and return at dawn, or risk scaring them further into danger. Reluctantly, she decided to return the next morning, her heart heavy with worry.
That worry turned to heartbreak when she arrived. The black poodle had been struck by a car overnight. Her golden sister remained by her side, refusing to leave even as morning traffic began to stir.
“It was devastating,” Luck said softly. “Her sister had waited there all night. She wouldn’t abandon her.”
Determined not to lose another life, Luck set up her rescue equipment once again. After nearly an hour of gentle coaxing, she managed to safely trap the surviving poodle — a trembling, grief-stricken girl who had no idea her life was about to change forever.
“She was scared and confused,” Luck said, “but I promised her she would never suffer again.”
At the vet’s office, the poodle received a clean bill of health and a new name — Princess Anastasia. Soon after, she was placed in a foster home where, surrounded by love and safety, her personality slowly began to shine. Weeks later, she was unrecognizable — playful, affectionate, and ready for a fresh start.
Although more poodles have sadly been found abandoned near Murphy Hollow Spring since her rescue, Princess Anastasia’s story has a happy ending. She was recently adopted by a family who adores her and gives her the joyful, secure life she deserves.
Once discarded and brokenhearted, Princess Anastasia now lives each day surrounded by love — proof that even in the darkest places, hope can still be found.