The Amazing Stuff

People who work for animal rescue organizations have to be able to brace themselves against all kinds of heartbreaking stories. Yet sometimes, even the most hardened veterans of animal rescues are thrown by cases like that of Odysseus.

Found tied to a fence outside a church in Fulton County, Georgia, Odysseus was severely malnourished.

Facebook / Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

He weighed only 28 pounds when he was rescued, and his condition moved workers to tears.

Facebook / Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

Odysseus needed immediate emergency care, and thanks to the workers at Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, he’s on the road to recovery.

Facebook / Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

Rescuers think Odysseus may be a boxer mix, but he was so emaciated, they couldn’t really tell. They’ll likely have a better idea of his breed when he’s healthier.

Facebook / Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

He’s been through a lot, but he’s still a sweetheart despite his hardships.

Facebook / Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

(via The Dodo, 11 Alive)

Angels Among Us is currently accepting donations to fund Odysseus’ recovery and treatments, as well as for other animals in need. You can learn more about this organization on their website and on Facebook.

Twelve-year-old Malory Steiner was playing outside her home in Royalton, NY, when she saw an SUV toss a black garbage bag out its window and drive off. It might have been just a bad case of littering, but then something strange happened.

“The bag started walking down the road,” she told her local news station. She quickly realized that there was a small dog inside the bag, and that it was not in good shape. “I saw that it was starting to rip and it was around his neck.”

Tearing open the bag, Steiner and her family saw that inside was an elderly pug in poor health.

Facebook / Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Inc.

Once he was removed from the bag, the family called the Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue team, who arrived shortly. “It is just disgusting,” Steiner’s mother said of the dog’s treatment. “I still can’t believe somebody would do something like that.”

The pug, named Teddy, was taken back to BPSBR’s headquarters, where it was discovered he was in even worse shape than anyone had realized.

Facebook / Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Inc.

Besides being starved and dehydrated, Teddy also had some kind of severe skin condition (it wasn’t mange, they think it may be an allergy), as well as an old spinal injury, a broken tail, infections in both ears, poor teeth, a very bad case of dry eyes, and possible partial kidney failure. The good news, though, is that he didn’t show any signs of cancer.

They set to work immediately, dosing him with antibiotics, special shampoos, and eye drops.

Facebook / Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Inc.

Teddy has been eating and drinking, which is a good sign, and the rescuers hope that he’s feeling a bit more comfortable.

Facebook / Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Inc.

Despite everything he’s been through, Teddy is a warm, friendly dog who loves snuggling.

Facebook / Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Inc.

See the news coverage of Teddy’s story here:

(via The Dodo, WKBW)

Local authorities are still searching for the person who dumped Teddy like trash, but for right now, the BPSBR’s energies are focused on getting him the medical attention he needs, both for his injuries and his advanced age. Steiner, who witnessed Teddy’s ejection from the car, is being hailed as a hero for her part in his rescue.

David Loop of Los Angeles was driving to work one day when he passed something heartbreaking: the body of a small, white dog that appeared to have been hit by a car.

Loop pulled over to move the body out of the way, lest it cause safety issues for other drivers. Little did he know that this small act of kindness would turn into so much more.

From his dashcam, you can spot the lifeless body of the dog.

Facebook / David Loop

But as he was moving the unfortunate pup, something happened: it blinked. Loop acted fast when he saw that the defenseless creature was still alive. “I ran back to my car and rushed her to my vet,” he explained on Facebook.

The vet rushed to the dog’s aid and revealed the extent of her injuries. Sadly, the doctor believed that she was suffering from devastating internal bleeding. At the time, the poor canine was given a 50/50 chance of survival, but Loop was already in love.

The dog had a broken femur and was covered in ticks. She could barely move because she was so weak.

Facebook / David Loop

The pup, which Loop started calling Miracle, slowly started regaining her strength. With the help of this kind man and a dedicated medical team, she was eventually able to eat on her own. She was well on her way to being strong enough to undergo lifesaving surgery.

Here’s a photo of Miracle on the road to recovery.

Facebook / David Loop

“I was brushing her hair with my fingers and she opened her eyes. I think I saw cognitive awareness,” Loop reported. This was the first indication he and the doctors had of Miracle’s will to live through this terrible ordeal.

Of course, with all this medical care, the bills are adding up. Loop is thrilled that Miracle is doing well, but her bills have accumulated to about $8,000.

He’s since set up a fundraiser to help cover these rising costs, and much to his surprise, kind strangers have helped him surpass his goal of $1,000.

Loop and Miracle make a pretty adorable team, don’t they?

Facebook / David Loop

Loop reported last Thursday that Miracle had successfully made it through surgery. On Saturday, Miracle came home with her new dad, but quickly fell ill again. Since Miracle is a stray and has likely never been vaccinated, Loop and his wife suspect that parvo is to blame. For now, Miracle is back in the hospital, and the Loops are anxiously awaiting further information.

If you’d like to leave an encouraging message, you can do so on this Facebook thread. You can also hep out with Miracle’s medical bills over at their fundraiser page!

While out for a walk with a friend in the suburbs of Paris, Pedro Dinis made a shocking discovery. To his horror, he came across a dog that was buried alive and had no hope of freeing itself.

What’s even worse is that this dog’s predicament was no accident.

The dog was completely stuck, and it wouldn’t have lasted much longer if Dinis hadn’t stopped to help.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

They had no idea how long the dog had been trapped there.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

It was clear, however, that someone had done this on purpose.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

It was later determined that the pup had severe arthritis, which meant that it couldn’t have gotten into this situation on its own.

Dinis freed the dog’s legs first.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

His own pooch even stepped in to help.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

Once free, the parched canine was finally able to take a drink.

Facebook / Pedro Dinis

The dog was then taken to a local veterinary hospital, where it was given a clean bill of health. The strong animal persevered in spite of this heinous act of cruelty.

(via BuzzFeed)

Dinis shared these photos on Facebook immediately after the incident, and has since received acclaim for saving the dog’s life. That being said, he’s quick to point out that he didn’t upload the photos to highlight his own actions, but to show the horrors of animal cruelty. In France, such cruelty is met with hefty fines and up to two years in jail.

After identifying the dog, its owner was charged with animal cruelty, and the abuser will be tried in March of next year. More than 135,000 people in France have signed a petition calling for maximum punishment.

Some dogs undergo unspeakable cruelties, but there are still happy endings. Check these out:

Warning: the following story contains graphic images.

Anyone who works with abused animals, like Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty Aldwin Roman, has seen some pretty sickening displays in their time. Yet this case shocked even him. Roman called it “the most malicious case of animal abuse” he’d seen in his entire career.

The case is that of Caitlyn, a 15-month-old chocolate staffie mix found in North Charleston, South Carolina. Caitlyn was found with electrical tape wrapped so tightly around her muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth. The tape had also caused multiple wounds on her flesh.

This is Caitlyn right after the tape was removed. Her tongue, seen protruding from her mouth, may have to be partially amputated.

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

Caitlyn was a well-known, friendly stray in the area. However, some heartless individual apparently saw her as a target, and taped her muzzle shut in a show of abject cruelty.

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

She was found on a doorstep on May 27 with the tape around her muzzle, and she may have suffered for up to 48 hours in that condition. This means that she would have been in extreme pain, and unable to eat or drink.

Caitlyn gets examined by one of the Animal Society’s team members.

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

The tape was removed, but caused severe swelling and may leave lasting damage. Her tongue, caught between her teeth, lost blood and may have to be partially removed if the tissue dies. Caitlyn may also have permanent facial disfiguration, and any dead tissue can lead to serious complications.

“To leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue, is heartbreaking,” Roman says.

Aldiwn Roman, Director of Anti-Cruelty at the Animal Society, visits with Caitlyn.

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

Her face is very swollen, but she’s doing okay!

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

The creep who did this to Caitlyn is currently at large, but the Animal Society is offering up to $1,000 in reward for any information that leads to their capture. If caught, the perpetrator faces a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Luckily, Caitlyn is recovering. She has a long road ahead of her, but she’s doing very well for the extremity of her condition.

She’s not out of the woods yet, but with diligent care, everyone is hoping for her recovery.

Facebook / Charleston Animal Society

(via CNN, WCIV)

If you’d like to help Caitlyn, as well as other dogs who need medical care, you can make donations to the Animal Society on their Facebook page. So far, donations have poured in from all over the world, which has helped Caitlyn immensely.

Sadly, many other animals face abuse, neglect, and cruelty every day. If you see or suspect animal abuse, check out these pages from the ASPCA and the Humane Society on how to spot and report cases.

When a major tornado ripped through Van, Texas, at least 40 people were injured. Sadly, one couple, David and Brenda Tapley, lost their lives in the disaster. The Tapleys were pillars of their community, active in their local church and well liked by everyone they met. David was a police officer and dedicated his life to helping others. Losing them was a blow to everyone.

David and Brenda Tapley, who lost their lives in a tornado in Van, Texas.

WFAA

The Tapleys were discovered by their 14-year-old neighbor, Emmanuel Vasquez, amid the rubble of their collapsed home. Needless to say, this was a traumatizing discovery for Emmanuel and his father, but it wasn’t all they discovered. In David Tapley’s arms was a dog, a Great Pyrenees, that was remarkably still alive. The dog was badly injured, though, covered in bruises and appearing to be in a state of shock.

Hundreds attended the Tapleys’ memorial service.

WFAA

While the family and friends of the Tapleys turned out by the hundreds to honor the couple and celebrate their life, the dog was brought to the Nicholas Pet Haven and treated for her injuries. The Tapleys owned nine other dogs, one of whom was adopted by their children out of state, and five (including the Great Pyrenees) were surrendered to the Nicholas Pet Haven. Three perished in the tornado.

Renamed Emma, the dog was quickly adopted by Michelle “Missy” Shockley.

Facebook / Nicholas Pet Haven

Obviously, Emma’s recovery was an arduous one, given her physical and emotional injuries. But she’s getting better and regaining her appetite. Shockley and her mother were thrilled to report that Emma ate a whole can of dog food for dinner — a good sign.

Shockley and Emma relax after Emma’s ordeal.

Facebook / Nicholas Pet Haven

Emma’s coat was shaved for medical reasons, but it will grow back! Emma was badly bruised and suffered a head and inner ear injury, which affected her ability to balance. Shockley has been working with a behavioral psychologist to ensure Emma’s full recovery.

Nicholas Pet Haven

(via BuzzFeed, CBSDFW, ABC, WFAA)

Shockley doesn’t know much about Emma, but says she will celebrate her rescue date every year. For everyone else, Emma and her new start will serve as a celebration of the Tapleys and their contributions to the community.

Meanwhile, the Nicholas Pet Haven is housing surviving pets after the Van tornado, all of which still need homes. Visit the organization’s official Facebook page to see how you might be able to help out.