Some rescue stories begin with a quiet call for help, but the ones that stay with us for years often start with a voice trembling on the other end of the line.

That was the case the day Suzette Hall, founder of Logan’s Legacy 29, picked up the phone and learned about three tiny dogs clinging to each other on an abandoned property in Compton.

Even before she arrived, she sensed this would be a rescue she’d carry in her heart forever — not because of danger alone, but because of the powerful way these little souls refused to let go of one another, even as the world forgot them.

The Discovery And The Danger

When the Good Samaritan’s call first reached Suzette, she expected to hear about a single stray trying to survive the day.

That is what most calls reveal — one dog wandering a street, hiding behind a trash bin, or waiting near a fence for someone kind enough to stop. But this time, the voice on the phone explained something different.

Three small dogs had been found tightly pressed together on an empty lot, their bodies trembling but determined to stay connected no matter who approached.

They weren’t just lost. They were abandoned in a way that left them completely alone except for each other.

The person who found them sent Suzette a picture, and the moment she opened it, her breath caught in her chest.

The pups looked so little compared to the cracked concrete and broken boards scattered around them. Their faces carried the same expression — fear mixed with hope, as if they were waiting for someone familiar who simply never came back.

In that instant, Suzette knew she needed to get to them as soon as possible. But she also knew the rescue would be complicated. One scared dog often bolts. Three terrified dogs move like one organism: if one runs, the rest follow, even if they’re running toward danger.

Before Suzette could even get on the road, a mechanical issue forced her rescue vehicle out of service for several days. Every hour felt like a day, knowing those tiny dogs were out there, shivering together with no walls to protect them.

Thankfully, Suzette’s friend, Mary Nakiso, stepped in. Every evening, Mary visited the property, speaking softly to the pups while leaving nutritious food just a few feet away.

At first the dogs ate quickly, keeping their eyes fixed on Mary the whole time. As the days passed, they began recognizing her voice, shifting a little closer every evening but never breaking their protective circle.

When Suzette finally reached the property, she saw exactly what the caller had described. Three small bodies, touching shoulder to shoulder, so frightened that even the slightest noise made them cling tighter.

Yet beneath their fear was an unshakable loyalty — a commitment to each other that had likely kept them alive. Suzette felt a lump rise in her throat. She whispered to them from a distance, offering gentle reassurances, knowing that even this small moment of kindness was something they desperately needed.

The Rescue Mission

Suzette has spent years rescuing dogs who’ve been rejected, forgotten, or left behind, but this rescue demanded extreme patience and gentleness.

She began by watching the trio from several yards away, studying how they moved, when they startled, and whether any one of them was confident enough to approach a new scent.

What she saw was touching: the smallest dog stood slightly behind the other two, peeking out and taking social cues from them before making any decisions. That smallest pup, she later named Oscar, would be the key to earning their trust.

Her plan depended on building calmness into the environment.

Suzette set herself low to the ground, avoiding sudden motions, and murmured reassuring words while preparing humane traps nearby — tools she relied on not out of force, but to prevent the dogs from running into traffic or deeper into unsafe areas.

At the same time, Mary focused on interacting with the slightly larger female pup, later named Jolene. Over the last few evening visits, Jolene had begun wagging her tail ever so slightly whenever Mary arrived. That was the opening they needed.

It didn’t take long before the smallest of the three crept toward Suzette’s prepared trap. Oscar sniffed cautiously, then stepped forward, drawn by the scent of safe, warm food.

As soon as he entered, the trap door closed with a soft sound, and Suzette felt a mix of relief and heartache. She whispered promises to Oscar, letting him know he wasn’t alone and that the others would follow soon.

Jolene, sweet and trusting, walked directly into Mary’s arms without hesitation. She let Mary lift her gently, as if she had been waiting for this moment — waiting for someone who finally spoke to her in a way she understood.

But the last pup, Ollie, reacted differently. He was bigger and braver in some ways, but far more anxious in others. Every time Suzette or Mary came close, he darted into the garage on the property. His fear ran deeper, as though he had endured something the others hadn’t or carried memories that wouldn’t allow him to feel safe yet. Suzette knew she couldn’t rush him, no matter how desperately she wanted to reunite him with his siblings.

After securing Oscar and Jolene safely in her van, Suzette made the difficult decision to leave Ollie alone for the night.

He needed time to decompress, to trust the quiet, and to realize no one meant him harm. She returned later that evening with a humane trap placed gently beside the garage door — close enough for him to smell food, but far enough that he didn’t feel cornered.

The next morning, when Suzette returned, her heart flooded with relief. Ollie sat inside the trap, shaking but unharmed, finally ready to be brought to safety.

Suzette whispered a soft “Good boy,” before driving him straight to Camino Pet Hospital, where Oscar and Jolene were waiting.

The Healing And The First Signs Of Trust

At the veterinary hospital, all three dogs were examined carefully. They were cold, dehydrated, and exhausted from their ordeal, but they were together — and that alone seemed to steady them.

Oscar leaned against Jolene. Jolene pressed her nose against Ollie. Ollie’s trembling slowed once he felt his siblings beside him again. For the first time since their abandonment, their hearts seemed to quiet down.

The medical team gave them warm blankets, soft voices, and gentle hands. None of the pups had major health issues, a blessing no one took for granted.

They were simply worn down by fear, hunger, and uncertainty. Once they were fed and wrapped comfortably, they fell into the deepest sleep they had likely experienced in weeks.

As they recovered, the differences in their personalities began to emerge. Oscar, the smallest, was curious — the kind of pup who peeked around corners before anyone else. Jolene was affectionate, soaking up belly rubs as if making up for lost time.

But Ollie remained unsure of the world, needing slower introductions and extra patience.

Suzette and Mary visited them often, encouraging small moments of trust. Every tail wag, every relaxed sigh, and every tiny step forward felt like a personal victory. These weren’t just dogs recovering physically. They were slowly learning that not every human would walk away from them.

Hope, Foster Life, And The Dream Of Adoption

When all three dogs received clean bills of health, they were transferred to a foster home belonging to Suzette’s close friend, Genavie Ochoa.

The environment was warm, quiet, and safe — exactly what they needed after so many days of fear and confusion. Their first night in foster care was peaceful. They curled up together on soft bedding, drifting into sleep without having to guard themselves against the unknown.

Genavie quickly noticed their individual quirks. Jolene loved climbing into a lap the moment she sensed an open space.