Life on the streets is far from easy. Scraping by while seeking warmth and food can be relentless, yet it’s a necessary struggle for every animal.
Sadly, this is the exact plight of the golden boy in our story today.
Survival Mode
A wandering stray Golden Retriever roamed the village streets in search of food. Upon discovering a piece of bread, she held it in her mouth, seeking a safe spot where she could savor her meal.
A compassionate dog lover named Ayberk Ayar spotted the adorable pup clutching the bread and captured the moment with a photo. Feeling it was both touching and tragic, Ayberk shared it on her Instagram.
Ayberk engaged with locals about the dog, eager to learn how she ended up there. They informed her that the dog had been carelessly abandoned and had survived on the streets for two weeks.
Tracy Behnke, who serves as the intake director at Rescuers Without Borders (RWB) in Goldsmith, Texas, saw the photograph and instantly realized action was needed.
“We understood that she might starve or get seriously injured. Golden Retrievers generally don’t fend as well as larger dogs. I felt drawn to her and thought, ‘We must help her’,” Tracy remarked.
Rescue Mission
The Rescuers Without Borders team recruited a few volunteers to locate the pup and rescue her from the street. Upon arriving at the last known location of the dog, she was nowhere to be found.
The volunteers searched diligently, but locals mentioned a man driving around trying to sell a golden retriever.
Hearing this concerned the volunteers greatly. They feared the man was attempting to sell her for breeding.
With this concern in mind, the rescuers resolved to do everything possible to find this poor dog.
With the assistance of other villagers, they eventually found her hiding in a dilapidated shed. It was dark, devoid of windows, and she had neither food nor water.
One volunteer successfully gained entry and carried the Golden Retriever, who was later named Harper, to safety.
Once Harper entered the rescue vehicle, she recognized that she was finally in a secure environment where she could relax.
She was incredibly sweet, giving kisses, which is quite rare for a dog. It certainly seemed like she understood she was safe once more.
New Life
Harper entered foster care as the RWB team figured out the quickest plan to transport her to the U.S. Fortunately, everything fell into place seamlessly, and once cleared medically and given the necessary documents, she was on a flight to San Francisco.
Tracy and her husband made their way to the airport to welcome Harper to her new home. From the moment they met, both the humans and the pup formed a bond of love.
She’s such a sweetheart. Everyone who encounters her is astounded by how gentle a dog can be despite her traumatic past.
However, the remnants of Harper’s life on the streets lingered, making her shy and cautious about accepting food.
When offered food, she seemed uncertain if it was allowed. My husband actually had to hand-feed her to encourage her to eat. It was as though she thought, ‘I don’t want to get in trouble.’
Final Word
Harper eventually transitioned to a foster home in Washington state, where she needed time to adapt to the comforts of a warm home.
She gradually emerged from her shell, reveling in her new surroundings. It was like, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ She was playing and running as if she’d discovered joy for the first time.
With a little more time, I am confident this golden girl will discover her perfect forever home, allowing her to leave the past behind and embrace the life she has always deserved.
