During a recent Michigan heatwave, a woman spotted something heartbreaking in a Detroit neighborhood: a tiny, frail dog cowering alone in the bushes.
As she got closer, the truth became clear. The skinny pup was tied to a fire hydrant, his ribs visible through his matted fur, and covered in scrapes. Fleas swarmed him relentlessly.
“He was so infested with fleas, it was beyond,” Judie Jones, director of Make a Difference Rescue, told The Dodo. “His ribs were showing.”
A volunteer quickly arrived to help, and while many dogs in these situations are understandably fearful of humans, this little guy seemed to know help had finally arrived.
“He allowed us to untie him,” Jones said. “He let us put him right in the car … He was so thankful to be rescued.”
Though no one knew exactly how long he had been abandoned, the 80-degree heat made the situation especially dangerous. A dog his size could have quickly become dehydrated.
At his first veterinary visit, the 4-year-old pup — now named Buddy — received a full wellness check, a bath, and treatment for the fleas and skin infections that covered his back.
Despite everything he had endured, Buddy’s sweet and gentle personality never wavered.
“He’s about as sweet as sugar,” Jones said. “His personality is pretty stable for what he's gone through.”
Further investigation revealed the heartbreaking backstory: Buddy had originally been given away for free, and the person who took him abandoned him without food, water, or shelter.
Jones sees dogs in situations like this far too often, but she makes it her mission to treat them like royalty from the moment they are safe.
“After we go to the vet’s … we always stop at McDonald’s,” Jones said with a laugh. “He loves chicken nuggets.”
Since his rescue, Buddy has blossomed. He loves cuddling, rolling down car windows to feel the breeze, and enjoying the comfort of a safe home.
“I don’t see any aggression in him,” Jones said. “He is just so cuddly and wonderful.”
Buddy will soon be available for adoption through Make a Difference Rescue, and his rescuers are confident that his forever family is out there, ready to give him the love he has always deserved.
If you’d like to adopt Buddy or support his care, visit Make a Difference Rescue online.
