No dog should ever be left without a home. The emotional impact of abandonment can have long lasting effects, making it incredibly difficult to rebuild their trust.
Mama, a Pitbull who was abandoned and discovered in the fields of California, was left to survive on her own in the wilderness. This timid girl spent months fending for herself, completely isolated from any signs of human life.
Whenever someone approached her, fear would take over and she would quickly run away. Mama seemed to have an intense fear of humans and avoided any attempts at interaction… Until one day, a compassionate man made a life changing decision!
Danny Spanks, a radio DJ from Bakersfield, California and the founder of A SafeFurr Place Animal Rescue, has dedicated himself to rescuing dogs for quite some time. Even before meeting Mama, he had already saved numerous stray dogs from horrendous conditions.
Witnessing a fearful and mistreated dog undergo a remarkable transformation into a completely different being has always been Danny’s greatest passion.And now, it was time to lend a hand to Mama!
Prior to encountering Danny, several individuals had shared stories about a Pitbull who had been hiding in the fields near a remote road, far from any populated areas. Remarkably, Mama managed to survive on her own for a staggering 15 months before Danny finally caught sight of her.
Though uncertain about how this lovely girl ended up all alone, Danny suspects that Mama was used for breeding and then callously abandoned far away from her original home.
“Dogs like Mama go through pregnancy, give birth to their puppies and perhaps nurse them for a while before someone takes them somewhere and abandons them,” explains Danny.
Mama had taken refuge in an isolated orchard outside Bakersfield, nestled beside a messy pile of discarded items that included a mattress and box springs. To ensure she wouldn’t wander too far away, the following day Danny ingeniously set up a makeshift shelter as her safe haven and designated feeding spot.
Numerous attempts at rescuing Mama had failed in the past. However, undeterred by her lingering fear of approaching him, Danny faithfully drove an hour each day just to check on her. Patience became his greatest ally in this endeavor.
He would often find a spot in the orchard, positioning himself away from Mama and patiently wait. This routine continued for months until that special day when Mama cautiously approached her savior. She cautiously sniffed his back, grabbed the food nearby and swiftly retreated.
Danny felt immense joy seeing Mama gradually come out of her shell, even though there was still a long way to go. The fact that she drew nearer to him was a significant step and Danny knew it was only a matter of time before she fully let her guard down.
For the following months, Danny made it a daily ritual to visit Mama on the road. He would park close to the orchard, settle in the field and eagerly anticipate Mama’s arrival.
Over time, this adorable girl began wagging her tail whenever she heard the sound of Danny’s car approaching. She would gleefully run around at a safe distance as if celebrating their reunion
Then one day, Danny lay down on the ground with some treats in his hand and patiently waited. After careful consideration, Mama gradually approached Danny and delicately took the treats from his hand.
It was an incredible moment when Danny’s hand was touched by the sweet dog for the very first time. Danny felt ecstatic to witness Mama opening up, but he made sure not to scare her despite his happiness.
Over time, Mama gradually warmed up to Danny. She would follow him around, sit beside him and even accept treats from his hand. Since she wouldn’t let him put a leash on her, Danny opted for a different approach.
With the help of a few friends, he set up a humane trap and enticed Mama into it with food. The moment she entered the trap, Danny knew that Mama was finally safe!
The two of them dedicated months to building Mama’s trust. It required hard work and plenty of socialization, but eventually, Mama transformed into an amazing companion.
“Every time she’s right next to me with a smile on her face, it just fills me with joy. That was always my goal—to earn this dog’s trust and love her just as much as she loves me,” shared Danny with The Dodo.
Mama even started interacting with other dogs and people too.
Danny discovered that Mama adores children immensely! She is absolutely smitten with her little neighbor, Ryden.
They share a unique connection and at times it seems like Ryden is Mama’s favorite person in the entire world. When he’s around, no one else matters to her.
Danny made the decision to provide a forever home for Mama. For Danny, witnessing her genuine happiness after going through so much is an incredibly gratifying experience. That’s why Mama will never have to worry about finding a new place to live again. She already has the perfect home!
