On a hot Los Angeles afternoon, the school day was winding down. Students boarded buses, teachers gathered their things, and the streets bustled with the familiar rhythm of dismissal. That’s when I saw her — a scruffy, matted husky pup darting nervously across the road. She was scared, alone, and clearly lost.
Instinct took over. Alongside my colleague, Miss Carolina, we moved slowly toward the puppy, speaking softly, trying to earn her trust. The traffic was risky, and my heart pounded as we coaxed her to safety. When she finally rolled onto her back, inviting a belly rub, I knew we had taken the first step in changing her life.
We brought her to the local shelter, hoping her family would come for her. Ten days passed without a single inquiry. When the shelter called to say she was available for adoption, my heart swelled — but, I also knew that adopting a rescue animal was a family decision. My daughters, Sophia and Sasha, didn’t need convincing!
They had always dreamed of a big, fluffy dog to love and care for.
The next morning, I returned to the shelter. The moment the pup saw me, she broke free from the handler and leapt into my arms, showering me with kisses. She had already made up her mind — she was coming home with us.
We named her Juneau, inspired by the Alaskan city where huskies run in rugged sled races. Her race had been different. One fought on the streets of Los Angeles — but, she had won it with courage and resilience.
Juneau’s real-life rescue is the heartbeat of my debut children’s book, Juneau’s Journey: A Tale of Love and Rescue. Through her story, I hope to show children that even small acts of kindness can have life-changing results. That every frightened or abandoned animal has a story worth telling — and a future worth fighting for.
Juneau still lives with us today, a loyal, loving reminder of the power of compassion. And every time I look into her beautiful and sweet eyes, I think about the thousands of other animals waiting for their chance at a forever home.
If there’s one message I want readers to take from Juneau’s story, it’s this – We all have the power to be someone’s hero. Sometimes it’s as simple as stopping to help, making the call, or opening your heart to a new friend. Sometimes it’s helping those who cannot help themselves.
