At first, it was unclear what it was, but when she realized it was a dog, she knew she had to follow. Her instincts proved right.
A Hidden Pack
Photo Credit: TheDodo
The lone dog led Veronica to a heartbreaking discovery—two more dogs, both severely malnourished and struggling to survive in the wilderness. It was clear to Veronica that these dogs had been abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Determined to help, she began making daily treks up the mountain, bringing food and slowly gaining their trust.
“They were so malnourished, you could see every rib and vertebra,” Veronica recalled, deeply affected by their condition.
Over time, the dogs started to recognize her as a friend, eventually eating from her hand. But even as they grew more comfortable, Veronica knew that earning their trust was just the first step—getting them safely off the mountain was going to be a much bigger challenge.
The Rescue Plan
Photo Credit: TheDodo
Realizing she couldn’t do it alone, Veronica reached out for help. A team of dedicated rescuers quickly assembled, devising a plan to create a remote-controlled contraption—a makeshift cage large enough for all three dogs.
The team carefully transported the necessary equipment up the mountain and managed to lure the dogs into the cage. With the dogs finally secure, they began the delicate task of bringing them down the mountain.
Now safe, the dogs—named Princess George, Grace, and Steve—had escaped the dangers of the wild, but their journey was far from over.
A New Beginning
Photo Credit: TheDodo
Once the dogs were safe, Veronica and the rescuers contacted Cheri Wulff Lucas, a renowned dog behaviorist and trainer in California, to help these terrified animals adjust to their new lives.
“These dogs were unadoptable in their current state. They couldn’t be touched, couldn’t be leashed—they were utterly terrified,” Cheri explained.
While they made progress with training, the dogs still had a strong startle reflex, making it difficult to find them a permanent home. These were not dogs that could easily adapt to city life or casual walks in the park. At 125 pounds each, their fear could be overwhelming, even dangerous.
Fortunately, Cheri lived in a remote area with no nearby traffic or homes, offering the perfect sanctuary for the dogs. Although she hadn’t planned on keeping them, they soon became a permanent part of her life.
From Rescued to Rescuers
Photo Credit: TheDodo
Not only did the dogs find a safe and loving home, but they also became an integral part of Cheri’s work as a trainer.
“When I get dogs that need socialization—those that need to become more familiar and less reactive with other dogs—I rely on my pack to help rehabilitate them. And all three of these dogs are incredibly social with other dogs. They instinctively know how to approach, how to smell, how to interact without overwhelming the other dog. It’s not something I taught them—they just knew.”
Trusty Assistants
Photo Credit: TheDodo
The pack’s natural ability to interact with other dogs proved invaluable, especially when Cheri started working with a pup named Andi. Having spent seven years in a pen without any human contact, Andi was understandably terrified and overwhelmed. But with the help of her new companions, Andi began to learn trust.
What started as a rescue mission turned into a story of transformation—both for the dogs and the people who helped them. Veronica’s decision to follow that “huge black shape” up the cliff changed all their lives forever.
