Sarah Ames was devastated when she heard about two German Shepherds trapped in an abandoned house. Without hesitation, she rushed to their aid. Upon arriving at the location, she headed straight for the entrance, but nothing could have prepared her for the sight inside. The house was in appalling condition, littered with needles and trash. It was hard to believe that the two dogs had been living there for three weeks after being abandoned by their owners.
When Ames first laid eyes on one of the pups, the little dog was peeking around the door, too terrified to come out. She had been betrayed by the very people she trusted and was understandably wary of trusting someone new.
Changing The Pup’s Life
Despite the initial fear, Ames tried to win over the frightened dog with some treats. Slowly, the pup came out from her hiding spot. The look on her face was heartbreaking as she approached Ames and accepted the food. Ames gently stroked the dog, whom she later named Hattie. Hattie gazed back at her with deep, soulful eyes, grateful to be rescued, and even licked Ames’ face in appreciation.
Ames made a heartfelt promise to Hattie right then – her life was going to change for the better.
After reaching out to Metro Nashville Animal Care And Control, they promptly took Hattie into their care, planning to keep her until they found a more suitable home. Unfortunately, the other German Shepherd was not found in the house at that time.
Ames was thrilled when Middle Tennessee German Shepherd Rescue stepped up to help. They placed Hattie in a wonderful foster home where she was showered with love and care.
Rescuing The Other German Shepherd
The search continued for the other German Shepherd who had been left behind with Hattie. Fortunately, a kind couple found her and took her in, feeding and caring for her for a few days. When Ames met this couple, she was deeply thankful for their compassion.
Seeing the dog for the first time, Ames was heartbroken all over again. This dog was in far worse condition than Hattie, showing clear signs of malnutrition and neglect. Yet, despite her rough past, this sweet dog was incredibly loving, covering Ames in kisses. Ames decided to name her Phoenix.
Ames’ friend helped transport Phoenix to Metro Animal Control. Soon after, Middle German Shepherd Rescue intervened once more, placing Phoenix in a loving foster home where she too began to flourish. Now called Annie, she thrived under the care of her foster.
A New Beginning
Meanwhile, Hattie, now affectionately named Rue, found her forever family who instantly fell in love with her. It was a dream come true for the gentle pup, and her happiness was evident in her bright, joyful eyes.
Ames, along with the families of Hattie and Annie, planned a special holiday surprise for the two dogs. They organized a wonderful Christmas party to celebrate their new beginnings. Seeing Hattie and Annie reunite was a joyous moment. The two dogs recognized each other immediately, wagging their tails and sniffing happily. They adored their Christmas gifts, especially their squeaky toys—these were their first-ever holiday presents.
“Bringing them together and throwing this holiday party really marked a new chapter in their lives,” Ames shared with The Dodo.
Both dogs embarked on new journeys. Rue (formerly Hattie) was enjoying her life in her permanent home in Tennessee, getting along famously with her new cat siblings.
As for Annie, she continued to flourish and was on the lookout for her forever family, ready to shower her future parents with love and kisses. Just like any other dog, Annie deserved a happy ending filled with love and security.
