For eight long years, Pamela’s world was a tiny, weathered doghouse in her family’s yard. Then, one day, everything she knew disappeared. Her family was evicted from their home — and they left Pamela behind.
When Janine Guido, founder of Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, arrived after a tip from a local realtor, she found Pamela peeking out of her makeshift shelter.
“This is where she has lived. For eight long years … it’s all she has ever known,” Guido wrote on Facebook.
The man who’d been evicted came out briefly, loaded Pamela into Guido’s car, shut the door, and went back inside. Just like that, Pamela’s old life was gone.
At first, Pamela didn’t understand that she was safe. Curled up in her crate, tail tucked, she trembled and growled softly.
“While she doesn’t have physical wounds, hers are emotional,” Guido explained. “And those are the hardest ones to heal.”
Pamela also had sores from living outside in poor conditions, so her journey started with both medical care and gentle reassurance. Guido spoke softly to her, but at first, Pamela only shook harder.
Then, slowly, something shifted.
Within days, the dog who had spent her whole life outside began to show trust. She offered Guido shy kisses, then pressed closer on walks, as if realizing that this new chapter might actually be better.
“This morning on our walk, she literally stuck right beside me,” Guido wrote. “Every five or 10 steps she would look back at me, jump up and put her legs around my waist. When I knelt down, she began kissing my face. Almost as if saying, ‘I’m OK now.’”
Pamela’s progress has been remarkable, but rescuers know she still needs time. The plan is to let her settle in, learn what she enjoys, and continue healing before she’s ready for adoption.
“She will be fully vetted and hang with us until we get to know all her likes and dislikes,” Guido said. “But we’re hoping she will be ready for a family in the near future.”
For now, Pamela is finally experiencing what love feels like — and she’s beginning to believe she deserves it.
To inquire about adopting Pamela when she's ready for a new home, you can learn more about the adoption process. You can help Speranza Animal Rescue save more dogs like Pamela by making a donation.
