When animal control officers in Dalton, Georgia, found a dog tied up in the woods, the sight broke their hearts.
A thick leather belt was cinched around his neck, fastened to a heavy logging chain that tethered him to a tree. Skinny, filthy, and trembling, the dog had clearly endured more than anyone could imagine.
“Clearly this dog had a very rough past,” said Courtney Bellew, director of Special Needs Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation (SNARR). “We’ll probably never know exactly what he went through, but the way he was found speaks volumes.”
The dog, now named Stewart, was taken to Whitfield County Animal Shelter. But there, his trauma was undeniable.
“He didn’t want to be touched, didn’t want anyone near him,” Bellew explained. “He’d growl, then retreat into the corner and press his face against the wall. He was completely shut down.”
Shelter staff couldn’t even remove the belt from his neck — Stewart grew too stressed whenever they tried. Instead, they gave him space, hoping time might ease his fear.
One volunteer, Rebecca Rood, worried Stewart would be overlooked.
“It was like he didn’t want to exist,” Rood said. “As if burying his face in the wall might make the world go away. It was heartbreaking.”
Determined to help, Rood snapped photos of Stewart and posted them online. That’s when Bellew saw his picture — and instantly decided to step in.
“I saw that one photo of him hiding his face, and I said, ‘I’ll take him,’” Bellew recalled.
Stewart was moved to a veterinary clinic, where staff placed him under anesthesia to neuter him and run tests. Only then could they finally remove the belt. When Stewart woke up, something incredible happened.
“It was like that belt symbolized his past,” Bellew said. “The moment it was gone, he lit up. He started wagging his tail and even playing.”
Since then, Stewart has made steady progress at the clinic. He’s bonded with one of his handlers, showing how deeply he craves kindness and connection.
“Watching him play with a toy for the first time was amazing,” Bellew shared. “He went from hiding in a corner to wagging his tail and reaching out his paw. The transformation is unbelievable.”
Rood hasn’t seen Stewart since he left the shelter, but Bellew keeps her updated. “I cried when she sent me videos,” Rood admitted. “His progress is just incredible.”
Still, Stewart’s journey isn’t over. He needs a patient, experienced adopter — ideally in a calm, adult-only home without other pets.
“I think once he finds the right person, Stewart will blossom even more,” Bellew said.
For now, Stewart is safe, cared for, and finally learning what it feels like to be loved.
To help Stewart find the perfect forever home, you can make a donation to SNARR Northeast. And if you think you could have the right home for Stewart, contact the rescue group.
