For nearly two years, a German shepherd mix living on the streets in Cleveland, Texas, eluded dog rescuer Zully Vasquez Ventura.
Ventura has helped thousands of dogs in her Colony Ridge neighborhood, feeding strays and networking with rescues to save as many
neglected animals as she can.
She first met the shepherd mix when he was sniffing around the town's main road, trying to find something to eat. “I started whistling and calling him, and he came running to me, but just to get some food," Ventura said. "I tried to touch him, and he backed up. He was scared. He didn’t trust me.”
She kept feeding and posting about the shepherd mix on social media, hoping a rescue would help her with the dog, but no one offered.
“I was so sad for him,” Ventura said.
But the situation changed when a McDonald’s restaurant opened in the area. Ventura pulled into the parking lot and quickly spotted the dog using newfound skills.
“He learned how to beg for food,” Ventura said. “He’d follow cars and bark at people’s windows so they could throw something to him. He’s such a smart dog.”
Ventura pulled up to the drive-thru speaker and was stunned that the dog had learned how the ordering system worked.
“He barked at me,” Ventura said. “Then he looked at my eyes, and when he saw I had eye contact with him, he turned around and pointed to the screen with his face so that I could order something for him.”
The dog then followed her to the pickup window. Ventura ordered him a Big Mac and gave him the burger.
Ventura took videos of the dog working his McDonald’s magic, which she posted on social media, pleading once again for help.
This time, the dog caught the attention of Mike’s Chance Animal Rescue, which offered to take him.
Ventura returned to the drive-thru, set up a crate and ordered some food. “I got the Big Breakfast, gave the pancakes to my daughter, and I used the eggs to lure him into the crate,” she said.
You can watch that moment here:
Ventura brought the hungry shepherd home and watched him transform. “By the afternoon, he was totally different than the dog who was trying to survive in the streets,” Ventura said. “Once he felt safe, he opened up. He’s very funny. He runs and plays. He is an amazing dog.”
Ventura named him Big Mac. “I was undecided if I would name him a Happy Meal because he's a happy dog,” she said. “But the first hamburger I purchased for him was a Big Mac. So I said, ‘OK, I'll just call him Big Mac.’”
Big Mac has blossomed even more in his foster home, and now the drive-thru dog has been vetted and is up for adoption. Big Mac is about 2 years old and weighs approximately 55 pounds. He’s very friendly and loves people, other dogs and of course, McDonald’s.
“The moral of the story is to give scared dogs a chance; they just need a chance,” Ventura said. “He will make the best possible friend ever.”
