"I swore to love you forever. To love you unconditionally. I would have always protected you and hoped you would do the same. Now I am here, alone and frightened. Why did you leave me behind?"
If Hercules could speak, this is what he would say.
But without the ability to tell them what happened, residents of a Californian suburb were left to pick up the pieces - desperately trying to understand what had happened to the Golden Retriever, and how his owner could have been so cruel.
Tied up in the middle of the night
It all started when residents heard a noise in the street outside.
Cautiously getting close enough to investigate, they found a bewildered dog tied to a letter box.
The poor pup was absolutely terrified. So much so, he refused to take treats or engage with anyone.
A heartbreaking rescue
Even once the local animal protection organisation arrived on the scene, the devoted canine refused to leave the letterbox.
Heartbreakingly, gentle giant Hercules was determined to stay and wait for his owner - even though they had been the ones to leave him there.
With much coaxing, Herclues was eventually taken into the care of Logan's Legacy where the team got to work rebuilding his trust and mending his broken heart.
