Just as humans, dogs have a hard time coping with their family members’ departure. It can take days or even months until they get back on track, but even then, they require a loving approach and lots of understanding.

The saddest story comes from Nuevo, California, where two dogs lost their owner to a long-term illness. The canines spent days in their home huddled on a couch and completely hartbrocken.

They were confused, without a plan or someone to guide them, until a group of kind rescoers showed up!

A Sorrowful Sight

Source: Hope For Paws
A woman named Doreen contacted Hope For Paws about Debby and Gidget – the two dogs left behind by her friend who passed away.

Even with her best interest at heart, Doreen wasn’t able to help the canines on her own, as they were just too shy and scared to come out.

Katie McKittrick and Alex Babcock, of HFP, drove two hours outside of Los Angeles, but they eventually arrived at the said spot.

Doreen explained to them that the dogs wouldn’t come out of the house. She tried to lure them with some food and treats, but they would always wait for her to leave the spot and then go out to pick up the food.

Source: Hope For Paws
Given the situation, their behavior was completely normal, according to Alex and Katie. Both Debby and Gidget were evidently still in shock due to their loss, and they needed a proper amount of time to start trusting again.

The rescoers slowly entered the house and saw the dogs huddled up on a couch. By the look on their face, they seemed so scared, but they refused to budge.

Source: Hope For Paws
Katie slowly approached them, and she used a gentle snare to secure both dogs.

After the hard part was done, the rescoers put the dogs in separate crates and put them in a car. Doreen was so grateful to the kind team for showing up at the right moment and saving Debby and Gidget’s life.

Learning How To Trust Again

Source: Hope For Paws
After the initial care and checkup, the dogs were taken in by the L A Animal Rescue team who offered to foster the dogs until they found a suitable home.

At first, both Debby and Gidget were scared of any sort of interaction, but after some time, they both started coming out of their shell.

Once their true personalities were on display, their fosters realized that Gidget was the pack leader. Debby stuck to her sister at all times, and she always relied on her. In a way, she was her own personal protector.

Source: L A Animal Rescue
“Gidget is the more protective of the pair. She is the leader of the pack and lookes to take charge. She is more vocal and hands on. She is very sweet and affectionate and loves to give kisses and cuddle once she gets to know you,” the HFP team wrote on their website.

Months into their stay at a foster home, both dogs became the sweetest lovebugs. They truly acclimated to the new environment, signaling that they were finally ready to meet their new pawrents.

When the time is right, we’re absolutely positive that both Gidget and Debby will make some families really happy!