When Stephanie, a rescuer with the Boonie Flight Project in Guam, first saw the frail dog wandering the streets with a plastic jar stuck on her head, her heart sank.
The pup was clearly starving, disoriented, and rapidly deteriorating — and she was running out of time.
“We didn’t know how long she had left,” Stephanie told The Dodo. “She was wasting away. I absolutely could not leave her.”
Stephanie and her team jumped into action. It took a coordinated effort to safely remove the jar.
One volunteer gently held the dog, another stabilized the container — and, thankfully, it came off more easily than expected.
Finally free, the dog — later named Winnie — was still terrified. She took shelter in the corner of Stephanie’s garage, trembling and unsure of what would come next.
But at the vet, she received a surprising update: other than being severely dehydrated and malnourished, Winnie was in relatively good health.
Ready to begin healing, Winnie moved into a foster home. But emotionally, she had a long road ahead.
“She hid in the bathroom for weeks,” Stephanie said. “She didn’t want to be near people. She had no idea she was safe now.”
Slowly, though, things began to change. Winnie discovered the comfort of dog beds, the softness of couches — and, most importantly, the quiet kindness of her foster family.
Being surrounded by other animals helped immensely.
“She watched how the other dogs received love,” Stephanie said. “She saw them cuddling, playing, trusting. It was like a lightbulb went off.”
Day by day, Winnie grew more curious and started coming out of her shell. Eventually, she even began seeking out affection — but only from people she felt safe with.
After two and a half months, Stephanie knew it was time to find Winnie the forever home she deserved. That’s when Mary and her family entered the picture.
When Mary met Winnie at the airport, the pup was clearly scared and overwhelmed.
“She was very, very terrified,” Mary recalled. “She didn’t even know how to play with dogs.”
But Mary’s resident dog, Maple, instinctively stepped up. From day one, Maple became Winnie’s gentle guide, showing her the ropes — how to play, how to relax, and how to be part of a family.
“They’ve formed a bond unlike any other,” Mary said. “Winnie watches Maple to learn what’s safe, how to trust, and how to love.”
Now, Winnie is fully part of the pack. She’s not the same frightened pup who once wandered the island alone with her head trapped in a jar. She’s happy, she’s safe, and she’s home.
“She’s come so far,” Mary said. “It’s been incredible to witness her transformation.”
