SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. — It has been nearly a year since Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputies pulled dozens of Australian shepherds from a Placitas property where the owners had reportedly been breeding dogs for decades.

While many of the dogs found new homes, others were far too gone.

Paul Jaramillo faced animal cruelty charges connected to an alleged criminal dog breeding operation. While the case went to a bench trial in September, Jaramillo’s attorney asked for a dismissal. They claimed it was because of a mistake from the prosecuting law enforcement agency.

The case hasn’t moved since. In fact, it is marked as closed in the system.

“We need to do a better job nationally but certainly locally for animal rights,” said Jennifer Hobson, the mom to “Jules,” one of the pups rescued from the property.

Hobson met Jules shortly after the seizure, thanks to a local rescue.

“This one was just scared to death. I mean, she’s not vicious, she’s not snappy, she’s not anything. She’s just scared, scared, scared,” Hobson said. “I would take her out and I had a 20-foot lead and she would not come within 10 feet of me.”

It’s taken a lot of patience and love – and some help from her adopted sister, “Grace,” to help Jules recover from months of neglect.

Grace also came from an abuse case in the East Mountains years ago.

“Her big sister [Grace] has really helped her understand that we’re good for her [Jules],” Hobson said.

Jules even saw a dog beach for the first time last month.

“I tell her all the time. I’m like, you know you’re living your best life, right?” Hobson said.

It’s a good life for a very good girl.