Meet Phoebe and Tabitha: a pair of resilient Great Danes whose difficult lives recently changed for the better.

For years, Phoebe and Tabitha didn’t know love. They lived in an overcrowded shelter in rural Georgia without adequate protection and supervision. One day, a farmer caught the girls roaming his property near the shelter and threatened to shoot them. The pups needed a miracle. Luckily, help was on the way.

When local animal advocates heard about Phoebe and Tabitha’s situation, they knew they had to do something. A veterinary technician and an animal control officer quickly headed to the scene. As soon as the dogs saw their heroes, they immediately leapt into their arms.

“They [clung] to the first human who showed them compassion after a life spent just trying to survive,” Hounds in Pounds, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in need, wrote in a Facebook post.

Rescuers brought the pups to one of Hounds in Pounds’ veterinary partners, where they received the medical attention they’d lacked for so long.

Now, Phoebe and Tabitha are on the road to recovery, and they’re looking for foster families.

“We urgently need foster homes to provide a safe and loving place where they can find peace and calm while waiting for their forever families,” Hounds in Pounds wrote in a post.

The pups can be housed together or separately. Despite their size, they’re both very easygoing and walk well on a leash.

“These girls aren’t just stunning — they’re affectionate, gentle and deeply grateful, full of the soul and softness Great Danes are known for,” Hounds in Pounds wrote.

With any luck, Phoebe and Tabitha won’t be waiting on fosters much longer. No matter what, the pups can relax — they’re now safe with people who will never leave them behind.