Nina Love knew there was no time to waste when she got a Facebook post about a grey and white pit bull thrown at a park by the train lines. She collected her equipment and dialed a buddy and another rescuer who lived nearby for help.
The enormous dog was easy to identify on the railroad tracks, but she wasn’t simple to capture. “I chased her along the railroad tracks for three miles, my adrenaline pumping,” Love told The Dodo. “I knew the train was approaching since it passed immediately before she rushed onto them, and trains run every 10 to 15 minutes.”
Though it became clear that Love was putting her life on the line, when she looked in the dog’s eyes, she knew she couldn’t give up.
“I was shaking with fear, but I wanted to save her because I looked in her eyes, and she was crying out for help,” Love said. “She was just scared, so I kept my distance and was patient.”
Love’s friend had brought her dog, Teddy, with her, and the presence of another pup appeared to help the stray pittie feel more at ease.
“We went low, and my friend was talking to her while Teddy came up,” Love explained. “She was apprehensive, but my friend kept her until I came and could tie her.”
A train came barreling towards the gang, who were still on the rails. Fortunately, they were able to get out of the road in time. “The train approached seconds after [we caught the dog], and our adrenaline was so high that we didn’t even hear the horn,” Love said.
You can see the incredible rescue here:
The relief that they were all safe was overpowering, and Love couldn’t help but cry. “It was incredibly emotional,” Love remarked.
Love works relentlessly to aid stray dogs in Philadelphia, visiting local dumping places and reacting to social media posts and phone calls from homeowners. “I want people to know that it’s OK to love animals,” Love remarked. “We all live on Earth and must learn to coexist.”
“I’ve had numerous hurdles as an African American and have [received] racial threats because I’m in this business,” Love continued. “However, I will remain strong for them because they require our assistance.”
Love is still looking for a patient foster to help the sweet stray decompress after her ordeal. After everything the pup has been through, Love is helping her finally get the care she deserves.
“She does well on the leash and likes meatballs for treats,” Love said. “Most importantly, she absolutely loves to be pet and deserves her second chance at life.”
0 Comments