Every dog’s experience in a shelter varies significantly.
Some enjoy their time there, surrounded by fellow furry companions and caring humans. Conversely, others may feel distressed, longing for a serene home and a human of their own.
This often leads them to retreat to the back of their kennels, patiently awaiting the right person to arrive and take them home.
However, in the case of Chewy, the dog at the heart of today’s story, his unusual behavior stemmed from something different.
Introducing Sweet Chewy
Meggan, the Executive Director of Operations at HIT Living Dog Rescue in Los Angeles, observed that Chewy was struggling.
He was constantly withdrawn, hiding at the back of the shelter. His striking eyes made Meggan feel that something was genuinely amiss.
Understanding that a foster home would be much more suitable for a dog in his condition, she took it upon herself to foster him and show him the brighter side of life.
“When Chewy came to us, he was a very troubled little soul. Looking back, I believe he was actually quite unwell. We placed him in a volunteer’s car, and he was off to his foster home,” Meggan shared with The Dodo.
Life at the Foster Home
Sadly, Chewy’s situation didn’t improve initially once he reached his foster home.
At first, he wouldn’t eat at all, only taking a few bites when he was alone.
He was lethargic and mostly stayed confined to his pen area.
After running some tests, the veterinarians discovered that Chewy had an upper respiratory infection. They hoped he would start to recover once that was treated. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“Even after his upper respiratory infection cleared, he still didn’t seem quite right. He was so famished, constantly thirsty, and needed to urinate all the time,” she added.
Refusing to give up on this sweet dog, Meggan sought to determine if he had diabetes, and indeed, he did!
Upon seeing the test results, Meggan felt a wave of relief, finally understanding his condition.
“Once Chewy was diagnosed with diabetes, although it was disheartening, it was also such a relief. We quickly placed him on insulin and he wore a small glucose monitor,” she explained.
The moment he received his first insulin dose, Chewy transformed completely.
Not only did he start to emerge from his shell, but he also regained his vitality, and the mere idea of being outdoors would shine in his eyes.
Most notably, he began seeking affection from people!
“He transitioned from being terrified of humans to yearning for love and attention from everyone who passed by. There was no such thing as personal space anymore,” she recounted.
A Fresh Start
With his vibrant personality on display, Meggan knew it was time for Chewy to find his permanent home!
And that’s precisely what happened.
A wonderful individual from Washington fell head over heels for this charming dog, realizing that she simply couldn’t live without him. She named him Morris, and welcomed him into her life.
“He’s come such a long way. It’s phenomenal. Each day, he feels more secure and at ease. Mo has been the ideal addition to our family. He fits in beautifully. I feel incredibly fortunate that I was chosen for him. It was truly a meeting of souls,” expressed Dee Dee, his new mom.
At long last, this delightful boy is living the life he was always meant to lead.
