While Maria Harrington was out walking her dogs along a levee above a canal in California, her pets suddenly started barking. They were trying to get her attention about something lying below.
Curious, Harrington looked over and was alarmed to see a lifeless, abandoned puppy curled up in the canal.
She called out to him, but he didn’t respond.
Unsure if he was alive, she tossed a nearby rock to see if it would stir him.
To her relief, the pup raised his head and gazed at her. He appeared worn out, almost resigned to his fate.
A Rescue Mission
Determined to save the dog, Harrington knew she had to act.
After taking her own dogs home, she shared about the abandoned pup, later named Fritz, on Facebook, hoping for assistance.
She returned to the canal where she encountered a couple who loved dogs and offered their help in retrieving Fritz.
The trio worked together to lift the pup from the canal.
They were disheartened to find a collar deeply embedded in Fritz’s skin.
Harrington took Fritz home to care for him, despite already having four dogs of her own. She comforted the confused pooch, assuring him that he was safe now.
She gave him a bath and created a cozy sleeping space. Fritz could sense he was in a safe place and began to trust his rescuer.
Even though the twelve-year-old pup moved slower than the other dogs, he still enjoyed walks with Maria and her pets.
Harrington formed a bond with Fritz but sadly realized that she couldn’t provide him the forever home he truly needed.
She reached out to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, California, asking for assistance in finding him a loving family.
Getting His Happy Ending
The rescue group took Fritz into their care.
The staff was saddened by the neglect he suffered and committed to giving him a second chance at a happy life.
“He was slow and arthritic and had rough elbows which indicated to her that he’d been kept on a hard surface prior to his rescue,” Patty Stanton from Muttville Senior Dog Rescue shared with Newsweek.
The committed team aimed to transform Fritz’s life.
They took him to the veterinarian, who conducted a thorough examination. Fritz was diagnosed with arthritis and dental issues.
The pup was given arthritis medication, and he received dental treatment.
When Kristin heard about Fritz’s plight, she felt compelled to help. She stepped up to foster him and aid in his recovery.
Kristin was determined to make Fritz’s life joyful and expose him to new experiences.
She welcomed him into her home and surrounded him with love.
Fritz quickly bonded with his foster mom and delighted in spending time with her. His heart filled with joy, he couldn’t stop smiling.
Overwhelmed by Fritz’s loving nature, Kristin couldn’t help but adopt him.
The senior dog felt immense gratitude for the selfless love his new mom provided and the second chance he received.
