Recently, a resident in Southern California reached out to Logan’s Legacy dog rescue to report three dogs that had been abandoned in their neighborhood. Suzette Hall, the founder of Logan’s Legacy, couldn’t personally get there until later in the day, but she contacted friends in the area who were willing to step in and help immediately.
When Hall’s team arrived, they spotted the dogs exactly as the caller had described—pressed closely together on the sidewalk, their bodies almost fused back-to-back. The trio sat perfectly still, eyes fixed ahead, as if standing guard for one another. Not a single one broke formation.
“They just stayed there on the corner, waiting,” Hall told The Dodo. “They didn’t move because they were still hoping their family would come back.”
After talking to neighbors, the rescue team learned the heartbreaking truth: the dogs’ former owners had driven them to Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles, let them out of the car, and then sped away. Witnesses saw the frightened pups sprint into the park, seeking shelter.
“They ran straight into the park and huddled together,” Hall said. “It was terrifying—so many cars nearly hit them.”
For several days, the dogs waited patiently for the family who never returned. Their hope was fading fast by the time Hall’s rescuers showed up.
At first, the trio was still stationed on the sidewalk, just as they had been since they were abandoned. But as the temperature climbed that morning, they finally moved—seeking shade together.
“It was a hot day, and there was a parked car nearby,” Hall explained. “They crawled underneath it, still curled up against each other.”
Hall’s team typically uses humane traps to capture stray dogs safely, but this little group surprised them—they didn’t need a trap at all.
“My rescuers simply held out food in their hands and gently coaxed them over,” Hall said. “They walked right up to them.”
Two of the pups were a bit unsure at first, but the only female in the group immediately placed her trust in the rescuers. Once she was lifted into the van, her two brothers quickly followed, not wanting to let her out of their sight.
“They didn’t want to be separated from their sister,” Hall said.
Once inside the van, the rescuers saw the full extent of the neglect these dogs had suffered.
“They were absolutely covered in ticks,” Hall recalled. “Their coats were matted, and each one had at least 40 ticks—probably more.”
Despite the discomfort, the dogs were clearly relieved to be together and safe. One of the rescuers took them home, where they stayed pressed close to each other the entire ride.
At the house, the rescuer carefully shaved away the mats and removed the ticks. The physical relief was immediate, but the greatest comfort for the pups was still being able to snuggle up with their siblings that night.
“They stayed curled up together all night long,” Hall said.
It’s common for stray dogs to form bonds for survival, but Hall noticed that this trio’s connection went deeper.
“Often, dogs who bond on the street stop caring for each other after being rescued—they were just sticking together for safety,” Hall explained. “But these three are truly bonded. They cry if one of them goes outside without the others, even for just a bathroom break.”
Now named Polly, Damien, and Barkley, the siblings are living in foster care. Their journey isn’t over, though—they’re still looking for a forever home, ideally one that will take them all together.
“It would be incredible if they could be adopted as a group,” Hall said. “They’re just the sweetest.”
While Hall continues to search for the perfect family for them, Polly, Damien, and Barkley remain as inseparable as ever. They no longer have to survive on the streets, but their bond is unshakable—they’re determined to face every new chapter side by side.