When animal rescuer Nina Love received a message about a pit bull abandoned near railroad tracks in a Philadelphia park, she didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her rescue gear, called a fellow volunteer for backup, and headed straight there — knowing time was running out.
The gray and white pit bull was easy to spot along the tracks, but far from easy to catch. “I followed her for three miles,” Love told The Dodo. “My adrenaline was rushing. Trains pass every 10 to 15 minutes, and one had just gone by before she ran onto the tracks.”
Love knew she was taking a risk, but when she locked eyes with the frightened dog, she couldn’t turn away.
“I was shaking with fear,” she said. “But I could see in her eyes — she was begging for help. She wasn’t aggressive, just scared. So I stayed calm and gave her space.”
Her friend had brought along her own dog, Teddy, hoping his presence might comfort the stray. It worked.
“We crouched down, and my friend gently spoke to her while Teddy approached,” Love said. “She was hesitant, but slowly warmed up. My friend held her while I moved in to slip on the leash.”
Then, just as they secured the dog, the sound of an oncoming train roared in the distance.
“Seconds later, the train came,” Love said. “We were so caught up in the moment, we didn’t even hear the horn. We got out of the way just in time.”
The rescue was emotional, intense — and deeply rewarding. “I broke down crying,” Love recalled. “We saved her life by seconds.”
Love has dedicated herself to rescuing stray and abandoned dogs in Philadelphia, regularly checking known dumping sites and responding to urgent social media alerts. Her mission is rooted in compassion and community.
“I want people to know it’s OK to care about animals,” she said. “We share this planet. We should learn to live alongside one another with kindness.”
As a Black woman in animal rescue, Love has faced both obstacles and discrimination, but her commitment hasn’t wavered. “I’ve received racial threats, but I stay strong — because these dogs need us.”
Now safe, the rescued pittie is slowly recovering from her ordeal. Love is searching for a loving, patient foster home where she can decompress and start fresh.
“She walks well on a leash, adores being petted, and has a soft spot for meatballs,” Love said. “She’s so sweet. She deserves a second chance.”
If you’re in the Philadelphia area and can foster this deserving pup, reach out to Nina Love at Theblackthornberry@gmail.com. To follow her rescue journey, visit her on Instagram @theblackthornberry.
