Every day, heroes among us stumble upon heartbreaking scenes where animals, particularly dogs, find themselves in dire situations. These compassionate individuals never hesitate to extend their help to these unfortunate creatures.
One such hero is Kristen Gamble, the co-founder of One Mutt At a Time Rescue in Riverside, California. Her journey to rescue began when she noticed a video on a neighbor’s social media. It was a distress call from an abandoned house where a family of dogs had been left stranded after their owner’s death.
Without a second thought, Kristen headed to the location in Phelan, California, determined to bring aid to these helpless animals.
Inside the House of Horrors
Source: ROCKY Kanaka
Upon arrival, the conditions Kristen encountered were nothing short of appalling. The house was in a severe state of neglect. Before entering, she contacted the homeowner’s daughter, who, despite her own poor health, allowed Kristen access to the house.
Kristen had braced herself for a mess, having seen glimpses in the video shared online. However, the reality struck her with even greater force. Inside, the scene was devastating. Kristen’s heart sank as she absorbed the fate of the canine family trapped within.
“The house was unbelievable,” Kristen recounted to Rocky Kanaka. “The dogs had been trapped in the house alone for six weeks. They were very skinny.”
She learned that a neighbor had been feeding the dogs during the sixth week but realized the gravity of the situation was beyond his help and made the call that brought Kristen to their rescue.
“The home was unlivable for the dogs,” Kristen explained. “The floors were so urine-soaked we thought we might fall through.”
As they ascended the stairs, guided by the dogs’ moans and barks, a barrier erected by the neighbor to contain the dogs upstairs came into view.
Source: ROCKY Kanaka
A Heartbreaking Yet Hopeful Encounter
At the top of the stairs, a sight of mixed emotions awaited them. Nine puppies, along with their mother and father, greeted the rescuers. The mother was a small Shepherd mix, and the father, a Corgi/Husky mix. The puppies appeared to be about six weeks old, indicating they had spent their entire lives in this horrific environment.
Since the dogs had no collars or any means of identification, the rescuers decided to give the adult dogs rescue names. The mother was named Klara, and the father, Kolbi.
Source: ROCKY Kanaka
A New Beginning on the Horizon
Though their initial stop was at the rescue center in Riverside, the canine family didn’t linger there for long. Kristen was determined to secure a brighter future for them and managed to find a foster home quickly.
Vanessa Traufler-Samarripa, a friend of Kristen’s, board member, and volunteer at One Mutt at a Time, couldn’t turn away the canine family. Despite already fostering ten cats and four dogs, she opened her home to all eleven dogs.
The puppies brought her immense joy, their eyes brimming with love and hope. Seeing the parents happy again, knowing their puppies were safe and had a chance for a better future, was profoundly satisfying for Vanessa.
The Journey Continues
While the dog family has yet to find their forever homes, there’s a strong belief that happiness is just around the corner for them. With their sad past behind them, they are on a path towards loving homes where they will be cherished.
In a world where distressing stories about animals are all too common, it’s the compassionate actions of people like Kristen and Vanessa that spark hope and make a real difference. Their dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need underscores the profound impact of kindness and the promise of new beginnings for those who have only known hardship.
As these dogs await their forever homes, we cross our fingers and hope for the best, knowing that with the love and care they are receiving, their most precious moments are yet to come. The journey of this dog family from despair to hope is a poignant reminder of the power of compassion and the difference one person can make in the lives of many.
