Picture yourself in a state of utter loneliness, where your very identity feels lost. Sadly, this is a reality for many dogs who roam the streets for years, unnoticed and uncared for.
Dogs are inherently social beings, forming deep connections with humans. However, when left unattended, they can suffer neglect to the extent that their true selves become unrecognizable.
Now, consider the emotional turmoil these animals endure, which mirrors their outward appearance, often in a much more distressing manner.
This resonates with the protagonist of our story today, a compassionate individual who went above and beyond to rescue a dog whose condition was so dire that it was nearly unidentifiable.
Rescuing This Dog Seemed Like a Dream
For years, a stray dog roamed the streets of Rowan, a shadow among the residents. Many attempted to rescue it, yet each effort met with failure.
Due to severe neglect and matted fur, identifying the dog’s gender became impossible.
One fateful day, two dedicated rescuers from STAR (Saving the Animals of Rowan) in Kentucky spotted the dog in a neighborhood and vowed to save this suffering creature.
Penny, one of the rescuers, felt an intense urge to save the dog, believing it longed for human connection but had been hurt by past experiences, causing it to shy away from people.
For several days, she tailed the dog, observing its behavior to gather insights on its whereabouts and routine alongside her partner, Rhonda.
After about three days, Penny cautiously inched closer, allowing the dog to get accustomed to her scent—a crucial move to slowly build its trust.
This routine continued for days until Penny devised a clever plan.
They Finally Gained Its Trust
Penny and Rhonda set up a kennel in the path frequently traveled by the dog, hoping to entice it inside. They thought of using chicken as bait.
On day 17 of their mission without success, Penny placed a trail of chicken leading to the kennel to coax the dog closer.
Initially, it showed no interest, but two days later, the irresistible aroma of chicken drew the dog nearer.
For the next three days, the pup feasted on the chicken but avoided entering the kennel. Then, on the morning of the 22nd day of their mission, they spotted the dog right outside the kennel.
With bated breath, they awaited the moment they had hoped for. As soon as the dog stepped inside, they swiftly pulled the rope to close the door.
The dog remained calm, showing no signs of aggression, signaling that it understood they were there to help. It was evident they had finally earned its trust.
This Dog Discovered Its Identity and a New Life
The once seemingly impossible mission concluded successfully, and their first stop was Penny’s home, affectionately termed the “Barbershop”, where they pampered the dog with a refreshing haircut.
At that moment, they realized—it was a female! A beautiful transformation had taken place, and she was now unrecognizable after grooming. They named her Miley.
Penny initially intended to foster Miley, but her bond with the dog grew so strong over those 22 days that she made the decision to adopt her instead.
Miley joined the ranks of Penny’s other dogs, Jack and Oscar, becoming a cherished part of the family.
Thus, after two and a half years of hardship, this dog’s life was transformed within just 22 days into an enchanting fairy tale. She truly earned her happy ending.
