A few months ago, Oklahoma resident Kimberly Dishon was finishing her workout when she noticed a small dog sitting motionless outside the gym doors. Despite the rain pouring down around him, he didn’t budge — he simply stared through the glass, quietly pleading for someone to notice.
“As I was walking out of Planet Fitness, this little guy caught my attention, just staring inside as helpless as could be,” Dishon told The Dodo.
Curious and concerned, Dishon walked over to the dog. He was drenched, trembling, and visibly frightened — but he didn’t try to run. Instead, he seemed almost relieved that someone had finally come to help.
“He looked very scared,” Dishon said. “But at the same time, he was almost asking for help.”
With no owner in sight, Dishon knew she couldn’t leave him behind. She wrapped him in gym towels, carried him to her car and brought him home.
The moment they arrived, everything about the little dog softened. After sitting out in the rain for who knows how long, he finally felt safe.
“Within minutes, he was passed out,” Dishon said. “It was like relief washed over him — someone was finally taking care of him.”
The next morning, Dishon brought him to the vet. He needed flea treatment, but otherwise he was healthy — and with no microchip, Dishon was free to adopt him.
For her, the choice was simple. The connection she’d felt the moment their eyes met outside the gym had only grown stronger.
She named him Pluto — a nod to Planet Fitness — and over the past few months, he’s blossomed in his new life. He loves long walks, playtime with his pug best friend, and being near the person who saved him.
Pluto’s calm, gentle nature has amazed Dishon, inspiring her to begin training him as a therapy dog so he can bring comfort to others, too.
Dishon is grateful she crossed paths with him that rainy day — because saving Pluto ended up changing her life as well.
“We just needed each other,” she said.
To follow Pluto’s journey, you can find him on Instagram.
