One morning, Flint stepped outside at 6 a.m. to care for his chickens at his high desert home in California, situated between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He expected an ordinary day.
As he was wrapping up, he spotted an animal gazing at him from the garden wall.
Initially believing it was a wild wolf, Flint, who was no stranger to wildlife encounters, took swift action—he fetched his dog, Stella, and brought her inside.
Once inside, curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked through the window for a better view of the creature. To his surprise, he discovered it wasn’t a wolf!
Deceptive Appearances
Feeling secure at home, Flint could observe the animal without the previous fear clouding his perception. He then realized it was just a dog.
Although the perceived threat lessened, he approached the pup with caution, thinking it might be a stray or abandoned pet.
“We live about half an hour from the freeway, where people frequently dump dogs,” Flint shared with People.
After watching the dog from a distance, Flint and his partner determined that the pup was harmless and merely curious about the residents inside the house.
Deciding to extend a helping hand, Flint and his partner offered the hungry pup some food to help gain his trust.
“We thought, ‘He’s probably hungry.’ So we prepared a small bowl of dog food and some water, and he cautiously came over and devoured the food and drank the water completely,” Flint recounted.
After some time, the dog approached them, nuzzling their hands and seeking affection. It became clear that he wanted not just food, but love as well.
As they spent time together, Flint and his partner fell for the charming pup and decided to name him Balto.
A Fresh Start
After enjoying some cozy cuddles and a couple more meals, Balto realized he could trust his new humans. Flint arranged for a visit to a California veterinarian for a thorough health check and a microchip scan.
The vet found that Balto was between one and two years old and had a minor injury.
“He had a bruised or cut paw and a small infection on his belly. It didn’t seem like he had been lost for long, but he must have had a tough week or so,” he relayed.
Upon confirming there was no microchip, Flint began searching the neighborhood to see if anyone was missing a dog. After failing to find Balto’s owner, Flint and his partner welcomed him into their home with open arms.
This adorable pup not only gained new parents but also two canine siblings, Tugboat and Submarine, as well as nine chickens, two roosters, and a doggie sister named Stella.
The couple remains vigilant for any “missing dog” flyers featuring Balto’s picture, but they have embraced the idea of making him a permanent member of their family.
Even if Balto was abandoned, Flint holds no malice towards the previous owners.
“We can’t know what led to their circumstances or what choices they made. If he ran away or was discarded, or if a family struggled to care for him, they deserve compassion just like he does,” Flint reflected.
Flint cherishes every moment spent with his new best friend, who recently enjoyed his first camping adventure.
Balto relishes the freedom of being outdoors, running joyfully, but equally enjoys cuddling by the campfire with his new parents, who are utterly grateful for the joy he has brought into their lives.
“Both my partner and I have experienced feeling like too much to handle, too energetic, or too complicated for others. That’s one reason we found it simple to welcome Balto into our lives. What I hope people take away from his story is that no animal, no person, is unworthy of love or too difficult to cherish,” Flint concluded.
