Dogs are incredibly resilient animals, but they, too, have their limits. A sweet pup can only endure so much before sadness and depression begin to take hold.

Many of their psychological struggles stem from the cruelty of people who abuse, neglect, or abandon them on the streets. No matter the reason, it’s always heartbreaking.

There is simply no excuse for treating dogs this way. It’s cruel, and we must be more alert to these injustices in order to help.

This mama dog’s tragic journey began when her owners abandoned her after she lost her puppies to an infection.

Fortunately, rescuers received information about her and quickly stepped in to help.

A Heartbroken Mama

When rescuers from Roadogs Southern California Dog Rescue arrived to assist this pup, they had no idea what she had endured.

Learning her full story left them devastated. This poor mama couldn’t come to terms with losing her babies, and she was understandably very cautious.

Her rescuers decided that the best course of action would be to take her to a foster home, where someone could show her she was safe and help her relax.

This is where Kelly Sayer came in. She volunteered to foster this pup, named Santine, with the hope of restoring her trust in others.

At first, Santini was terrified and wouldn’t allow anyone to get close. She couldn’t yet bring herself to trust anyone.

She growled at anyone who tried to approach, and this broke Kelly’s heart. It was impossible not to imagine the pain she must have endured to react this way.

The Sweetest Pup

Kelly’s son, Landon, became the key to softening Santine’s heart. She quickly took to him, and the two formed a bond.

As time passed, Santine’s attitude toward the other people in the house also improved. It became clear that all she needed was love and patience.

Once she began to trust, everything shifted. Santine became much happier and even began to play with the other children in the home.

Her rescuers observed that she was friendly with other people, as well as dogs and cats. This was a great sign, as it meant that she could thrive in nearly any home.

Santine was such a sweet dog that the chances of her finding a loving home in California were high.

Despite all she had suffered, Santine proved that she still had so much love to give and deserved a family of her own.

While we don’t know if her foster family or rescuers have found her a special home, I’m just happy she’s finally starting to feel like herself again with these wonderful people who gave her a chance. She truly deserves the best.