Last weekend, cycling enthusiast Jotto Vieira was riding down a remote dirt road in the Brazilian countryside with a friend when they spotted a furry black figure in the distance, just off the roadside.
Moving closer, the pair realized it was a small black-and-white
puppy, all alone in the middle of nowhere. Wagging his tail, the puppy rolled over to show his belly to the well-intentioned stranger.
Vieira offered him water, and after a moment, the puppy began drinking from his hand.
“We spotted this little dog on the road. All alone. Dying of thirst and hunger,” Vieira later said. “Now he’s out for a bike ride on his way to town.”
Scooping the puppy into his arms, Vieira then began the 3-mile journey to safety.
“If I’d left him back there on the road, he would’ve died, poor thing,” Vieira added. “Some animal might have gotten him, or a truck could have hit him. I’m bringing him to town so someone can adopt him. Such a cute little dog.”
Vieira recorded parts of the return trek, with the little puppy gazing up at his rescuer in trust.
Being far from home on a cycling trip, it wasn’t possible for Vieira to adopt the puppy himself. But once back in the nearest town, the cyclist found a local who promised to care for him.
“I’ve made a commitment to go back to that town [and check in on the pup],” Vieira said. “We were just there for a casual, spontaneous bike ride today, and it seems the Good Lord put this little dog in our path, and us in his.”
