“[S]he was looking back and forth, hoping they’d come back …”
With Halloween approaching, Whittier, California, has been filled with spooky decorations. But one family in a quiet neighborhood got a real-life surprise when they noticed an unexpected visitor on their patio — a living, breathing “statue” they’d never seen before.
It was during breakfast that they first spotted a curly black-and-white dog calmly sitting on their porch. Her face was unfamiliar, yet the way she made herself comfortable suggested she might have been there more often than anyone realized.
“[She] showed up around 10 a.m., right at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, and simply waited,” wrote Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, on Facebook. “She lingered all day, moving from the front porch to the side, just watching.”
The dog spent hours quietly staring at the street. Her tangled fur and dusty paws hinted at a long time on her own, yet her calm, expectant gaze made the family wonder if she once had a home.
“[It was] as if she was looking for someone to return,” Hall shared. “She was matted, dirty, and trembling, but there was a sense that she’d belonged to someone before.”
Unfortunately, no one came to claim her. Even when offered food and water, the dog kept her distance, wary of anyone approaching. The family tried everything to gain her trust, but she remained hesitant — until Hall arrived.
Hall quickly set up a humane trap with food. While some dogs need time to investigate, this sweet girl wasted no time, stepping right inside for a much-needed meal.
“The moment I put the trap down, she went straight in — she was just that hungry,” Hall wrote.
Relieved, Hall carefully transported the dog, whom she named Maya, to the veterinarian. There, she received a full checkup and a long-overdue makeover.
After her curly fur was trimmed and she enjoyed a relaxing bath, Maya settled into her kennel for some well-earned rest.
A few days later, Maya is thriving and more comfortable than ever. Her future looks bright as she continues her search for a loving forever home. Hall is confident that Maya will soon find a family to shower her with the love she’s been missing.
“Tonight, this sweet baby is safe,” Hall wrote. “Safe, safe, safe …”