One Man Stops to Save Shivering Dog, Dozens of Others Walk Right By

Written by Ed Kostro of Illinois

The new year had started on a very sad note — there was another very sad phone call concerning a tiny dog apparently dumped in a big city park. “She really looks sad, lonely, and frightened. Have you got time to come out here?” How could I refuse? “I’ll be right there.”

And when I got there, she immediately broke my heart. She was forlornly sitting there at a snow-covered baseball diamond, trembling uncontrollably, and so very sadly watching numerous people who were very happily walking their happy canines all about.

“When we first spotted her, she was frantically racing all around the park, as if she were looking for someone. Now, she’s just been sitting there, as if she’s given up.”

I slowly approached her, and she didn’t move a muscle. So I bent down and I softly stroked her furry little head. And now, she very sadly looked up into my eyes with the saddest pair of canine eyes that I had ever seen. Definitely dumped here by someone, I thought to myself.

She Couldn’t Even Lift Her Tail

She didn’t protest or attempt to run off when I put a lead around her neck, and now I saw what extremely terrible shape she was in. Her fur was extremely matted and filthy, and gobs of frozen feces clung to her tiny backside. She was so matted up and covered in caked-up poop that she couldn’t even lift her tiny tail from between her grossly matted legs.

As I led her away, several people asked me what I would do with her now. “This poor little girl definitely needs some TLC and a hot soapy bath.” And soon, she and I were on our way to my vet’s office. As I drove there, she quickly crawled into my lap for some extra warmth, and she finally stopped trembling.

At the vet’s office, they took one look at her and said “Poor little thing! She’s definitely had a very rough time of it. What will you call her?” And I soon replied, ‘Little Pooh.’

Of course she had no collar, no tags and no micro-chip. Dumped dogs usually don’t; and, of course, she had not been spayed. I spent several days attempting to determine if anyone were looking for her; and of course, no one was.

Little Pooh now spent the next week at the animal hospital being cared for, fed, shaved, bathed, spayed and vaccinated. When my wife and I went to pick her up, I didn’t even recognize her; she looked completely different, and much happier, than when I had first seen her in the park.

As we drove home, Little Pooh clung to my wife’s chest very closely, and she kept kissing my wife’s cheek. And now, her tiny little shaved tail was even wagging with joy.

When we arrived back home, our other rescued street orphans immediately took a liking to her, and she to them, and she was soon very happily cavorting about with them in our backyard.

One of our neighbors eventually arrived to take a look at her, and she soon shouted: “Oh, My God! A Little Poodle! My best friend and her husband recently lost their beloved 16-year old poodle, and they’ve been looking for another one!”

Very soon, our neighbor’s friends arrived at our home, and it was definitely love at first sight for both of them and for Little Pooh. She very quickly had a loving new home.

And this is my favorite kind of rescue story. (See a photo of Little Pooh all cleaned up)

Do You Have A Story to Share?

If you, like Ed, have ever enjoyed the gift of saving an animal’s life, we’d love to hear your story. The Great Animal Rescue Chase is a free, online event open to all animal lovers. Simply go out into your own community and help an animal in need and then logon to our site and share your story and photos. Each day one special story is featured right here on Care2.com Go ahead, tell your story. You never know who you might inspire!

Related Stories:

Dog Pack Rescues Two More

Saving Smeegle from the Fiery Brute

Doggie Doppelganger’s Warm-Hearted Rescue Caper

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Debbie C.

4:48AM PDT on Apr 18, 2012

Poor little Pooh had a pretty miserable life so far until she met you, Ed. You are her hero and if she could, she would tell you so.

Now, she has a new forever home with some people who will love her and take care of her - I think she has paid her dues by being abondoned for so long.

send a green star

Katherine W.

7:22AM PDT on Apr 2, 2012

Really.....THAT many people chose to walk past an animal in need and DID NOTHING? You are just as bad as those who abuse, abandon, torture and murder animals. If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Did you idiots who did nothing think the dog would take care of herself? No, you probably just didn't give a crap.....................

Jillana L.

12:21PM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

Thank you so much for saving this sweet little soul! If only more people on this planet were like you. God bless you. :)

Sarah M.

7:26PM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

This is so sad, thank you so much for saving her.

Rockney V.

1:32PM PDT on Mar 21, 2012

Though this has a happy "ending" to a new beging - these story's break my heart - how can someone be so cruel as to do somthing as awful as abandon such a wonderful creature of God's? It goes beyond any reason.
Ed Kostro, a big thanks for you big heart,
Nameste'
Rockney*

Julie R.

2:26PM PDT on Mar 14, 2012

What a shame how can people do this to animals she is so cute, I am so glad it had a happy ending.

Phyl M.

9:38AM PDT on Mar 13, 2012

How sad people do wretched things to innocent animal victims. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the person who stopped to help this dog.

Carrie Anne B.

7:10AM PDT on Mar 13, 2012

great ending thanks for sharing :)

Dark S.

6:44PM PDT on Mar 12, 2012

I can't understand how anyone can walk by an animal in need like that and NOT do something. I've taken in strays before (most recently a mama cat who was pregnant- I've found homes for all but one of the kittens, now looking for a home for him and her, as sadly her and my girl kitty don't get along) and trying to find a home for the neighbor's cat, who first the woman tried to give to me then she's clearly abandoned. I can't let him indoors because of how many I have but I feed and give him attention, and am trying to find him a foster home asap, and it makes me so *angry* that someone would do that too an animal who trusts their human to provide for them!

Janet B.

7:51AM PDT on Mar 12, 2012

Heard that Ed and his wife are really Angels in disguise.......................word got out Ed, and your Wings cannot be hidden anymore....Heard that Little Pooh, got a new family...Bravo, Ed. and your sweet wife...................Bravo.................