In a busy neighbourhood in Los Angeles, United States, an odd sight recently caught the attention of passers-by: a wheelbarrow parked between two flower pots, with a little head poking out. A dog. Curled up in the metal container, surrounded by noise and hustle and bustle, he seemed to be waiting for someone.
Local residents initially thought it was just a brief rest, but days went by... and the animal remained. Always in the same spot, as if frozen in anticipation.
A hiding place as his only refuge
"For quite some time, this little soul made that wheelbarrow his bed," explained Suzette Hall, founder of Logan's Legacy 29, on Facebook. "In the middle of a neighbourhood, surrounded by cars, noise, people... he chose that spot. He curled up there, alone, and he waited."
Touched by his plight, several neighbours tried to help. Some offered him food, others water, and others still tried to comfort him. But with each attempt, the little dog would move away... only to return straight back to his wheelbarrow. It had become his shelter, his only landmark in the chaos, the place from which he watched the world, hoping his humans would return.
Sadly, no one ever came to claim him.
A new life for Willy
Once alerted, Suzette Hall headed to the scene without delay. She was the one who managed to approach him, then finally coax him out of what had become his makeshift home. She named him Willy. It was impossible to know how long the little dog had been there or how he'd ended up in that wheelbarrow. One thing was certain: "He deserved better," wrote the rescuer.
Willy was immediately taken to Camino Pet Hospital. Despite his painful past, he seemed delighted to finally be safe. The vet found no health problems, and Willy was placed with a foster family shortly afterwards.
Since then, this little dog who was once frozen in waiting appears to be thriving in his new life. His rescuers hope to find him a permanent family soon. In the meantime, they're delighted to receive regular updates from his temporary home.
