Pete’s journey has been far from sweet.
When this gentle pup stepped out of the car on a chilly, rainy day, he could have never foreseen that it would be the last moment with his owner. The door shut, the man drove away, leaving Pete in a haze of confusion.
To make matters worse, he remained alone for six long hours before a Tornado warning was issued.
Pete Endured Incredible Challenges
A concerned witness contacted The Heroic Tail Rescue in San Diego, California, after observing Pete being thrown from a car. Shockingly, the man lingered in the vehicle for a while before driving off.
That’s when the real tragedy unfolded!
A passing truck struck Pete, prompting the kind witness to confront the owner. Although the owner insisted he had not abandoned Pete, he drove away shortly after and never returned!
“A car had hit Pete, and he was lying on the roadside, exposed to rain. The good Samaritan wanted to help but was unable to get close because Pete barked and growled out of fear,” The Heroic Tail Dog Rescue shared in an Instagram post.
Meanwhile, the kind stranger also attempted to reach out to animal control.
Upon arrival, they found that, due to his ordeal, Pete was exhibiting significant fear aggression. They struggled to manage him and resorted to using pepper spray.
Despite being full, The THTR team reached out to their partners at The Animal Pad, a rescue organization in San Diego. What happened next changed everything!
Lauren and Elli-Ana rushed to the scene as soon as they learned of the heartbreaking situation.
“The dog chased after the car; when it didn’t stop, he returned to the same spot where he was left and patiently waited. He sat there for 6 hours, and when we arrived, he was still in that exact place,” the rescuers noted in an Instagram post.
During their initial attempts to capture him, Pete fled and concealed himself in a ditch on a nearby hillside. Eventually, using some tempting treats, they were able to entice Pete to approach them – and he melted into their embrace!
Behind his wary exterior was a sweet, puppy-like spirit who finally discovered what it means to be treated gently. As they worked to secure him with a catchpole, he relished the company of his two human heroes.
His body was laden with cactus thorns, a testament to his desperate attempts to hide in the underbrush. Despite this, Pete lifted his paw as if to say: “Here I am; take me to safety!”
And safe he became!
A Fresh Start for a New Journey
The team found shelter from the approaching Tornado and then secured Pete a warm, comfortable space at Lauren’s home.
It took just a few days for this wonderful pup to start opening up and emerging from his shell with Lauren. He proved to be an incredible dog brimming with energy. However, he still struggles with confidence and comfort around new people.
“We can’t blame him for this, considering all he has endured, and that’s only the part we are aware of. He will get there; I’m confident. But for now, he is safe and loved,” wrote The Animal Pad on Instagram.
Katie, the founder of The Heroic Tail Rescue, has eagerly collaborated with Pete to facilitate his healing process. Once he completes his re-socialization and adaption, he will be ready for a forever home.
For now, he is progressing beautifully, and I’m completely certain that he will soon be an incredible companion for someone special!
