It’s not unusual to spot dogs wandering along rural roads. However, when a couple from Princeton, Texas, encountered a small dog on a lonely country road, they instantly realized the situation was different.
The dog, seen from a short distance away, was completely still and wrapped in an unidentified material.
Wade Shapp and his wife, Mandi, wasted no time; they stopped their car and hurried over to assist the distressed animal.
Shivering In Fear
As devoted dog lovers, Wade and Mandi couldn’t turn a blind eye to the heartbreaking scene they witnessed.
“He was tied up in a feed sack,” Wade told The Dodo. “You could tell it was intentional. There was rope tied around the bottom, limiting his space to move.”
This sight was deeply upsetting for both of them, yet they quickly composed themselves and set about freeing the dog from his confinement.
They wrapped him in a cozy blanket and gently transported him to their car, which Wade had parked nearby.
While they could see how grateful he was for their help, his eyes still reflected a profound fear, as if he had endured more than just this ordeal.
“He was definitely frightened, trembling for the first four or five hours we had him,” Wade shared.
While unable to confirm, Wade suspected that this dog, later named Bubba, had been left tied for around 24 hours. This alone would account for his fearful expression.
Yet, it soon became apparent that there was something more troubling.
The Act Of A Heartless Person
Once they returned home to Princeton, Texas, Bubba had a strong odor due to being soiled with urine and feces. Nevertheless, Wade’s first action was to feed Bubba, who was naturally very hungry after being confined in a sack for so long.
Following that, he took Bubba for a warm bath, which seemed to help him relax significantly. “I felt that bathing him was a pivotal moment for building trust,” Wade noted. “I believe he understands that we rescued him.”
That night, Bubba was given a cozy bed to rest in, preparing for the veterinary checkup scheduled for the following day.
When that day arrived, Wade anticipated it would be just a standard examination or that only minor health issues would be discovered. He was taken aback when the veterinarians revealed the more serious truth about Bubba’s condition.
The veterinarians informed Wade that Bubba had been shot. They discovered a gunshot wound on the inner part of his upper leg. This revelation shocked Wade, who couldn’t believe he had missed such a significant injury.
“How I didn’t catch that, I have no idea; it’s quite noticeable,” Wade stated.
Someone attempted to take this dog’s life but failed, which only fueled Wade’s determination to provide the care needed to restore Bubba’s joy.
Incredible Resilience
A local dog rescue organization, Dallas DogRRR, expressed their utter revulsion at this cruel act in a Facebook post. They also assured that they would exert every effort to help Bubba find a permanent home.
However, Wade and Mandi, who were fostering Bubba during this time, were in no rush, as he had seamlessly become a part of their family. He quickly bonded with their other two dogs, Isabella and Dixie.
“Bubba is truly a family member,” reflected Wade. “They all get along remarkably well.”
Bubba formed a particularly close bond with Wade, the one who stood by him through his darkest hours.
“Wherever I go, he follows, with his little legs wobbling,” Wade said. His bond with Wade showcased a deep love and appreciation. What impressed Wade the most about Bubba was his remarkable resilience.
“He’s such a brave little guy for enduring so much … it’s incredible how he trusts again after everything he’s faced,” Wade concluded.
Wade and his family provided much-needed healing for this little dog, mending not only the wound on his leg but also soothing the scars on his heart.
