As the founder of Logan’s Legacy 29 and a devoted dog rescuer, Suzette Hall is no stranger to urgent calls for help. But a recent message from her friend Sandra Viveros Jackson tugged on her heart more than usual. Sandra had spotted a small dog, severely matted and lost, wandering through a bustling Los Angeles neighborhood. The temperatures were soaring, and the little dog had no place to find shade or comfort. It was clear he was in desperate need.
“[This] poor baby was covered in dreadlocks and carrying the weight of a loveless past,” Hall shared on Facebook.
Suzette wanted to help immediately, but she was already in the middle of another rescue. Fortunately, she had a network of trusted volunteers ready to jump into action. Her friends Nuñez Aky, Yamileth, and Karla quickly organized to search for the matted dog.
After combing the neighborhood, they finally spotted a flash of white fur peeking out from under a parked car.
“There he was, hiding under a car,” Hall later wrote, recounting the moment.
Working together, the team cautiously surrounded the car, speaking to the dog in gentle voices to keep him calm. With patience and care, they managed to slip a leash around his neck, drawing him out of his hiding spot.
“Karla was able to leash him,” Hall wrote. “He was safe at last.”
Hall arrived shortly after the rescue and was stunned by the dog’s condition. Thick mats of fur covered his small body, impairing his vision and trapping him in isolation. Despite his fear, Hall assured him that his ordeal was over and promised him a new beginning.
“He doesn’t know human touch or what it feels like to matter,” Hall shared. “But we’ll be shaving away his past, and he’ll finally know what it feels like to be loved.”
Later that day, the team at Camino Pet Hospital worked tirelessly to clean him up. They gently shaved off his matted fur, revealing an adorable face and a charming underbite that had been hidden beneath layers of knots and grime.
Finally, the little pup — who was named Maurice — could see clearly for the first time in years. With a fresh haircut and a few pats from his new friends, Maurice seemed like a brand-new dog.
“Can you imagine not being able to see for years or having dreadlocks so tight they’re crawling with ticks?” Hall wrote on Facebook. “And then, suddenly, you feel like a million dollars.”
Just over a week has passed since Maurice’s rescue, and he’s blossoming in foster care. Though he’s still waiting for his forever home, Maurice is already experiencing the joy of a loving environment.
“Today marks the beginning of an entirely new life, free from the past,” Hall wrote, feeling the warmth of Maurice’s transformation. “Be still, my heart.”
Thanks to the dedication of Hall and her team, Maurice now has a second chance at happiness. And though he may be one of many dogs she has saved, Maurice’s journey will always hold a special place in her heart.
