While hiking with her dog on her usual trail in the Angeles National Forest in California, Veronica Shea came across something unexpected. As she rounded a bend, she was startled to see a “huge black thing” climbing up a cliff. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a dog and decided to follow it, a decision she would come to cherish.
Lost Pack
The dog led her to two other extremely malnourished dogs abandoned in the wilderness. Recognizing their dire situation, Veronica was determined to help. Over the following weeks, she climbed the mountain to feed them and win their trust. “They were so malnourished you could see their ribs and count their vertebrae,” Veronica recalled. Gradually, the dogs began to accept her and even ate from her hand.
Despite this progress, Veronica needed a plan to get them safely off the mountain. She contemplated trapping the dogs one by one but feared it would cause the others to run away. Seeking assistance, she reached out for help.
Rescue Mission
Once Veronica called for help, a dedicated team of rescuers rallied to her side.
“We devised a plan to create a makeshift contraption that could be operated remotely.”
Together, the rescuers transported the necessary equipment up the mountain and fashioned a cage large enough for all the dogs. Using careful luring techniques they managed to coax the dogs inside and safely carried them down.
The Mastiffs, now named Princess George, Grace, and Steve, were finally safe. However, a long road lay ahead of them.
Training Camp
Their rescuers reached out to a well-known dog behaviorist and trainer in California, Cheri Wulff Lucas, hoping to teach the timid dogs to trust again. “They weren’t adoptable as they were; they couldn’t be touched or leashed, just frightened,” Cheri explained.
“They responded well to training, but their strong startle reflex made it challenging to find them a forever home.”
They would need a very special home. These dogs wouldn’t be able to handle typical environments, like dog parks or busy city streets, where sudden movements could easily frighten them. Fortunately, as Cheri lived in a remote area with no distractions, she felt confident they were safe there. Though she hadn’t intended to keep them, it became clear that they found a forever home with her.
Not only were the dogs safe and healthy, but they also assisted Cheri with her training work. As Cheri noted, “When working with dogs needing socialization, I utilize my pack to help rehabilitate them. The three of them are incredibly sociable and know how to interact appropriately with other dogs—they are exceptional.”
Trusty Assistants
The pack proved invaluable when Cheri began working with a pup named Andi. Having lived in a pen for seven years without human interaction, Andi was understandably terrified and overwhelmed.
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