Puppy Abandoned In The Woods Waits For Weeks For Someone To Find Him
In the depths of a Florida forest, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded.
Hank, an eight-month-old pit bull, was discovered abandoned, sitting motionless on his dog bed like a “living statue.”
This story highlights the resilience of a dog who, despite great adversity, found a new chance at life thanks to the compassion of strangers.
Discovering The Living Statue
Hank’s nightmare began when he was left alone in the woods with just his belongings, an unsealed bag of dog food he couldn’t open, and his toys.
His condition was dire to say the least; he was malnourished, unresponsive, and his heart seemed visibly broken.
Source: Humans and Animals United
What seemed really weird was that the poor dog was just sitting there like a statue, not moving at all.
A Good Samaritan stumbled upon him by accident, and shocked by Hank’s condition, promptly contacted a local animal shelter for help rather than attempting to move the distressed animal himself.
Rescue and Initial Care
The shelter staff, led by Rosa Fond of Humans and Animals United, responded with urgency.
Source: Humans and Animals United
Approaching Hank with caution, they were prepared for a possible hostile reaction due to the dog being in survival mode.
However, Hank’s response was one of overwhelming gratitude and affection. He recognized the rescuers as his saviors, offering affection as they came to his aid.
“He was nothing but love from the moment they got him,” Rosa Fond, founder of Humans and Animals United, told The Dodo. “Everybody says that he’s the sweetest dog.”
The Medical Diagnosis
Upon examination by a veterinarian, the cause of Hank’s immobility was clarified – a broken leg, believed to be at least two weeks old, possibly incurred even before his abandonment.
Source: Humans and Animals United
This is most likely why he didn’t move at all and stood like a statue; it was simply too painful to move.
Fortunately, there were no signs of other physical abuse.
Source: Humans and Animals United
Recognizing the urgent need for medical intervention, Fond committed to covering all costs for Hank’s necessary leg surgery.
However, the surgery had to be delayed until Hank could regain strength through proper nutrition.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
During his recovery at the animal shelter, Hank received an outpouring of love from the staff, filled with hugs, kisses, and cuddles.
Source: Humans and Animals United
His sweet nature quickly won the hearts of everyone he met, turning his tragic beginning into a journey of love and healing.
Once stabilized and ready for surgery, Hank was placed in a foster home to continue his recovery in a loving environment, experiencing the best days of his life.
Looking to the Future
Though many have expressed interest in adopting Hank, Fond believes it is essential for him to fully recover before moving to a permanent home.
Source: Humans and Animals United
Hank’s journey through recovery is expected to be a long one, but he is safe and surrounded by love – a stark contrast to his previous life of neglect.
His rescue underscores the critical work done by animal shelters and rescuers who intervene to give animals like Hank a second chance.
Hank is safe now, and as Fond reassuringly notes, “he’ll never, ever be hurt again.”
Update: in April 2024, Hank was adopted by a loving family!
Source: Humans and Animals United
