The evening sky in San Bernardino was glowing orange when Jaina and Ivy Spagis decided to treat themselves to a quick coffee break.
The two women, founders of the animal rescue group Cats of San Bernardino, were chatting as they pulled into a familiar drive-thru. The smell of roasted coffee drifted through their open window. Everything felt calm—until something unexpected crossed their path.
A Coffee Stop Turns Into a Rescue Mission
Out of nowhere, a blur of gray and white fur darted across the lane. Startled, Jaina hit the brakes, her heart jumping as she watched a frightened dog weave between cars.
The poor pup’s tail was tucked low, her body trembling. And around her neck hung something strange—a piece of clothing tied in a messy knot.
The couple stared, realizing this wasn’t a stray cat like the ones they usually saved. It was a dog in trouble. Without a second thought, they parked their car and stepped out to help.
A Frightened Pup Finds Hope
At first, the dog wanted nothing to do with anyone. She glanced nervously at the two rescuers, unsure whether to run or stay. Her blue eyes darted around the parking lot, searching for a familiar face that wasn’t there. The Spagises spoke softly, inching closer each time the pup took a hesitant step back.
Then something magical happened. The moment they were close enough, the dog stopped running. She looked at them for a few long seconds, as if realizing she was finally safe, and rolled onto her back in complete surrender.
Jaina and Ivy knelt beside her, gently scratching her belly and whispering words of comfort. Her tail gave the smallest wag. It was the first sign of trust.
Once the pair got hold of her collar, they carefully led her to a quiet spot away from cars. Ivy reached into the car and pulled out a small cup of whipped cream—Starbucks’ famous “Puppuccino.”
The hungry dog happily licked the treat clean while Jaina worked to remove the sweatshirt that had been tied awkwardly around her neck. It took some effort, but soon she was free.
The couple smiled at each other. They’d only meant to grab coffee, but now they had a new rescue to care for. They decided to call her Bette Davis, after the legendary actress with the same striking eyes.
From Abandonment to a Second Chance
Once Bette was calm, they took her straight to the vet to make sure she was healthy and to scan for a microchip. The device beeped—a match. For a brief moment, the rescuers felt hopeful. Maybe her family was looking for her. Maybe she had simply gotten lost.
But that hope quickly faded. When they reached the number registered on the chip, the story that came next broke their hearts. Her former owner had moved away and decided not to take her along.
When asked if he wanted her back, he simply said, “No.”
The words stung. Jaina and Ivy looked down at Bette, who sat quietly between them, her eyes full of trust despite everything she had been through. They promised her she would never be left behind again.
Though the couple’s home was built for cats, they refused to let Bette go back to the streets.
They found a kind foster family willing to care for her while they prepared a dog-friendly space in their own home. In the meantime, they shared her story online, hoping to find someone who would love her forever.
A week later, Bette returned to the Spagises’ home. This time, she wasn’t just a frightened stray—she was a happy, wagging, hopeful dog. Her coat looked shinier, her eyes brighter. She followed her rescuers everywhere, curling up beside them as if to say thank you.
Applications from potential adopters started pouring in soon after her story was shared. People from all over were touched by Bette’s strength and her rescuers’ kindness. It seemed only a matter of time before she’d find the family she truly deserved.
For now, Bette continues to enjoy her days surrounded by love, whipped cream treats, and gentle pats on the head. The drive-thru where she was once abandoned has become a symbol of new beginnings—a place where two people stopped for coffee and left with a new purpose.
Jaina often says she’ll never forget the look Bette gave her that evening. It wasn’t fear anymore—it was gratitude. “She’s our beautiful doggie rescue,” she later wrote online, her voice full of pride.
And for anyone who believes small moments can’t change lives, Bette Davis is living proof that even a quick coffee run can lead to something extraordinary.