in 2020, while hiking in California’s Angeles National Forest with her dog, Veronica Shea noticed something unusual ahead of them.
“We rounded a curve, and I saw this huge black figure,” Shea told The Dodo. “It was climbing up the side of a cliff.”
Following the furry figure, Shea discovered three malnourished dogs alone in the wilderness. Realizing they had been abandoned, she felt compelled to help. For several weeks, Shea trekked up the mountain daily to feed the dogs and earn their trust.
Gradually, the dogs became accustomed to her presence and even began eating from her hand. However, Shea was unsure how to safely get them off the mountain. She worried that if she trapped one dog, the others might flee. Recognizing she needed assistance, she reached out for help.
A dedicated team of rescuers answered the call, hauling equipment up the mountain and constructing a makeshift cage. Together, they carefully coaxed the dogs inside and carried them down the mountain.
The three dogs—mastiffs named Princess George, Grace, and Steve, believed to be siblings—were finally safe. Yet, their journey was far from over.
The rescuers sought the expertise of Cheri Wulff Lucas, a renowned dog behaviorist and trainer in California, to help the anxious dogs learn to trust again.
“They weren’t adoptable as they were,” Lucas told The Dodo. “They couldn’t be touched or leashed and were utterly terrified.”
Under Lucas’ guidance, Princess George, Grace, and Steve made progress. However, they still exhibited a “very strong startle reflex,” which made finding the right home challenging.
“It was going to take a very special home for them,” Lucas said. “They’re not the kind of dogs that can go to the dog park. Even walking them on city streets would be overwhelming. And at 125 pounds, they’re hard to manage if they get spooked.”
Despite the challenges, Lucas knew her property was a safe haven for the dogs.
“I’m out in the middle of nowhere,” Lucas said. “There’s no traffic, and you can’t even see another home from here. If they did get out, they’d just come back to me.”
Though she hadn’t planned to keep the dogs permanently, Lucas found it was the best decision for everyone. Princess George, Grace, and Steve thrived in their new environment and even aided Lucas in her training work.
“If I get dogs that need socialization, I use my pack to help rehabilitate them,” Lucas said. “All three are highly social with other dogs and know how to interact properly. They’re flawless, and that’s not something I taught them—they came that way.”
The trio proved especially helpful with Andi, another rescue from a hoarding case.
“She lived in a pen for seven years without human touch or being leashed, and she was terrified,” Lucas said. “Princess George, Grace, and Steve made her feel comfortable in a way I never could.”
Lucas ended up adopting Andi, bringing her pack of dogs to twelve.
After three years with Lucas, Princess George, Grace, and Steve have transformed.
“They’re incredibly playful,” Lucas said. “If you visited my home without knowing their history, you’d think they were like any other dogs.”
George is a “couch potato” who loves lounging and socializing. Steve enjoys playing endless games of “chase” in the yard. Grace remains a bit timid but shares a close bond with Steve.
Thanks to Shea’s initial rescue and Lucas’ care, the dogs now lead happy, fulfilled lives.
