After 168 animals were rescued from an overcrowded home in Ogden, two Utah residents are sharing heartfelt stories of the dogs they took in — one of loss, the other of new beginnings.
A Bittersweet Goodbye to Coco
Lisa Peterson of Weber County fostered Coco, a tiny 5-pound rescue, through Hope’s Rescue. Coco had only just been spayed last Friday when tragedy struck. Her fragile body couldn’t recover from the procedure, and she passed away yesterday.
Peterson, who works with local rescues, was already deep in the rescue effort before she met Coco. Just over a month ago, she discovered two stray dogs near her home — a moment that led her straight to the massive hoarding case.
“I told the shelters, ‘Be prepared… we’re about to get flooded,’” she recalled. When the rescued dogs arrived at Weber County Animal Services, Peterson described the scene as overwhelming: crates stacked high, filled with frightened, inbred dogs.
Among them was Coco — shut down, silent, and staring. “Something sparked in me,” Peterson said. “Right to my soul.”
Coco was the first dog of Peterson’s newly founded foster-based rescue. Though she’s now gone, her impact remains. “Even though she passed, she started something. She started this rescue.”
Peterson urges the public to support animal welfare by adopting, fostering, or donating. “There are too many animals in shelters who need us,” she said.
She also invited the community to an adoption event on May 18 in Roy, hosted by Hope’s Rescue and Weber County Animal Services (9 a.m., 1845 W 4400 S).
Leia: The Resilient Little Princess
In Utah County, Brandi Hysell adopted Leia — a Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix who was part of the same hoarding rescue. Their first full day together was May 4, known as “Star Wars Day,” making Leia’s name — inspired by Princess Leia — all the more fitting.
“She’s a resilient little princess,” Hysell said.
Leia’s journey to her forever home was serendipitous. Hysell bumped into a woman from Whiskey Tango Feline rescue at a store and met Leia, intending only to foster. But when the small dog leaned into her, Hysell knew: “I had to adopt her.”
While Leia came with fleas and a partial shave, she’s bounced back quickly. “She had a bath, and though she hated it, she’s looking great,” Hysell said.
Blind in one eye, likely due to an injury from another dog, Leia doesn’t seem to be in pain. At just one or two years old, she’s made huge strides — from being fearful of men to greeting neighborhood kids with joy.
“She follows me everywhere,” Hysell said. “She’s healing my heart. The world’s been rough, and she’s been our bright spot.”
Leia’s siblings are still waiting for homes, and shelters are overflowing. Hysell encourages others to support however they can — from fostering or adopting to simply donating supplies or time.
Only 13 dogs remain at Weber County Animal Shelter, according to Ogden police, and none required euthanasia. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of how love, patience, and community can turn rescue into redemption.
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