The other day, a Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) staff member named Tommy was holding the door open for one of their resident pups, Tofu, when he noticed something concerning across the street from the shelter. In the distance, there was a white
pit bull with brown spots sitting next to a utility pole, and no matter how many times Tommy called out to him, the poor pup wouldn’t budge.
Tommy’s heart sank when he realized that the dog was tied to the utility pole with a metal chain.
Tommy promptly grabbed his radio and alerted his other team members, Pearle and Natalie, who came running within seconds.
“[They] jumped into action so quickly that he had to run to catch up with them!” MARL’s Audrey Blaylock told The Dodo.
The team was unsure what the pup’s demeanor would be like, so they approached him cautiously. As they got closer, they were devastated to learn that the dog was dangerously skinny and had been left with nothing but a meager portion of kibble.
“There was a small, torn-open garbage bag of food left next to him, but no note or explanation,” Blaylock said. “He was beyond emaciated, with flea bites, scabs and hair loss, so it was clear he had been struggling well before he arrived at MARL.”
You can watch them rescue the pup here:
The crew had no way of knowing how long the dog, whom they named Henry, had been out there on his own. But they refused to let him suffer outside for another minute. So, they untied the chain, slipped a leash over his head and attempted to walk him back to the shelter.
Henry was in rough shape physically, but he quickly proved that his spirit hadn’t been broken.
“[A]s his chain came off, his tail turned into a helicopter,” Blaylock said. “It was non-stop wagging, and he seemed relieved to see us from the very start.”
Sadly, Henry was too weak to walk across the street to the shelter on his own. So Pearle scooped him up and carried him safely to the door. Once inside, a medical team thoroughly assessed Henry and came up with a treatment plan to help him heal.
The staff was relieved to discover that Henry was overall OK, aside from being very skinny. With no injuries to repair or illnesses to treat, the team could focus on helping Henry gain weight. And with the help of regular meals and constant affection, Henry swiftly began to improve.
“Henry has been gaining strength and confidence, but he still has a long road ahead,” Blaylock said. “Right now, we're focused on giving him the time he needs to heal, along with plenty of opportunities to discover all the good things that come with being a safe, loved dog.”
It’s been nearly a week since Henry was rescued, and while he still has a lengthy recovery journey ahead, the sweet boy is getting better each day. With the around-the-clock attention he receives at MARL, it’s only a matter of time before he’s feeling back to his usual self.
Henry’s rescue touched many of MARL’s followers, and one supporter even pledged to match donations to the shelter up to $10,000 after seeing the pup’s story. It’s just one of many ways Henry’s presence has impacted the shelter in such a short amount of time.
While Henry works on getting stronger, his friends at MARL are devoted to giving him endless love and snuggles to help him through. They hope to find him a forever family once he’s fully healed and can’t wait to see him thriving in a loving home soon.
“Henry's next chapter will be one where he never has to go without the care he deserves,” Blaylock said.
