The beginning of Azalea's story was marked by a horrible act that broke her heart. The inhumane act of throwing the helpless dog from a truck and into a garbage before driving away was witnessed by a law enforcement officer who was on duty at the time. When the rescue team arrived, they discovered Azalea hardly able to move, crawling painfully into the road. The guard swiftly phoned for assistance, and when they had arrived, they found Azalea. Despite the fact that she was having trouble breathing, her stomach was enlarged and distended with fluid. It was obvious that if she did not receive quick medical attention, her condition could end up being fatal.