Angelo's Rescue & Recovery
March 12, 2026 — I received a call from the next neighborhood that a neighbor ran over and grabbed a young dog from the same house Dahsha and Salami Mami ran away from while he was being attacked by other dogs (older & bigger). The homeowner wasn’t home so the woman ran over and fearlessly grabbed the young dog and took it back to the neighbor’s house who called me. Between the two of them, they have around 14 rescue dogs. They live next door to an extreme hoarding situation where dogs are not only starved, underfed, dehydrated, unloved, untouched, have no names, but also brutally attacked, killed, or run away daily. Last year alone the residence produced 10 litters who eventually (most likely) became coyote or mountain lion food. And this young pup was attacked by his own pack at the house and nearly dead, as he was almost decapitated, and his side was horrifically ripped open. Blood was everywhere, it was a brutal sight, and animal control was on the way to pick the dog up to likely put him down. After the neighbor called to tell me what was happening, I drove over and saw that the dog looked nearly identical to Salami Mami, who I couldn’t save and who lost her life to a coyote pack — I instantly burst into tears and knew he was mine. But the dog’s neck was severed so severely, exposing the muscles and bones, and his left side was ripped open so severely that I wasn’t sure he would survive surgery. On top of the attack, he was nothing more than skin and bones, completely starved. We loaded him into my vehicle and I drove to the pet ER. Once we arrived, they asked the dog’s name and the first word that popped into my head was Angel, I guess because that’s what we needed most in that moment. So I said, “Let’s just say Angel for now”… then she asked the sex, and I didn’t know that either, so she lifted the leg then said, “It’s a boy!” … “Yay! Let’s call him Angelo, then. That’s a good Italian name anyway,” I said. Once the veterinarian saw his condition, she said she was unsure that he would survive the procedure, and due to his emaciated and dehydrated state they would need to stabilize his vitals and proteins before administering anesthesia. I was scared he wouldn’t make it through the night but he did. Once I brought him home, that was the beginning of his recovery journey, which was deeply moving and emotional. I could write an entire book about that process, journey, and experience. Angelo has now fully recovered and immediately became best friends for life with Dahsha, who is his first cousin according to DNA tests. Watching them heal, grow, and bond has altered the way my planet orbits. I’ve since enrolled and registered to the State Bar of California the pursue the independent law study program so that I can impact the laws that protect animals. I’ll continue working as an artist because if I don’t create, I shrivel up and die, but it’s time to incorporate more purposeful and meaningful work in addition. I found a local attorney who has agreed to supervise my program for the 4 years it requires. It’s essentially an apprenticeship that prepares someone to take the bar exam and upon passing, grants then a license to practice in the state. Traditional law school results in a student obtaining a JD, but this program does not offer a JD upon completion. I’ll still be able to create laws and represent those who cannot represent themselves.
If you’d like to support my creative work: sunhawkstudio.com
Or donate to Angelo’s medical expense: https://www.spotfund.com/story/6943f46a-f399-4894-8eb0-58f12448b49d
Thank you,
Sara
