Your routine morning drive to work may not seem life-altering, but for Malissa Sergent Lewis, it turned into a remarkable rescue mission!
This compassionate woman from Harlan, Kentucky, decided to take a different path to work due to being late, and unexpectedly came across a peculiar sight—a moving garbage bag on the side of the road!
Malissa was astonished by the unusual occurrence, but an inner voice urged her to stop and investigate. This quick decision proved to be one of the most pivotal moments of her life!
An Unexpected Revelation
On her way to Kentucky Elementary School, where she works, Malissa couldn’t shake the sight of the strange, wriggling bag on the road.
“I took a different route, a little bit quicker, it’s a little back road. And as I’m coming down the road, in the distance I can see a garbage bag moving,” she recounted to The Dodo.
Curiosity about the contents of the bag compelled her to pull over and investigate further.
While the opening of the bag was tied, it was clear that something alive inside was making desperate attempts to break free. Summoning her courage, she ripped open the bag and was greeted by the sight of a tiny black puppy looking up at her.
“I could see something was alive inside the bag. When I looked inside of it, it was just a little puppy that looked up,” Malissa shared.
Initially, Malissa was in shock. She found it hard to believe that anyone could abandon such a defenseless animal and leave it for dead inside a trash bag.
Quickly, she pulled the frightened puppy from the bag and checked for any injuries.
To her surprise, the little guy was completely unharmed and exhibited a friendly demeanor right away. He couldn’t stop wagging his tail, seemingly expressing gratitude to his unexpected rescuer.
The Unexpected Journey to a Forever Home
The bond forged between Malissa and the puppy, later named Hefty, was instantaneous. After her life-saving act, she promptly took him to a veterinarian for a checkup and shared his story on Facebook, hoping to find his owner. However, no one came forward.
Malissa was left pondering whether Hefty had been cruelly abandoned by a heartless individual or if he had been stolen and discarded. Regardless, the act of putting him in a bag seemed intentional.
Fortunately, fate led Hefty to the right person, and ultimately, she chose to adopt him permanently.
Malissa firmly believes that fate led her to Hefty. The chance decision to take a different route and find this puppy in need was a serendipitous event she will always treasure.
“I absolutely think it was meant to be. It was meant to be for him and meant to be for us too. I feel fortunate that I was there at the right time and at the right place,” adds Malissa.
Today, Hefty has grown into a happy and healthy dog, leaving his painful past behind him. He delights in every moment spent with Malissa and their new family, living the joyful life he always deserved!
Once discarded in a garbage bag, Hefty has now found the loving home he always yearned for!
