It’s heartbreaking to even imagine how crushed and confused abandoned dogs must feel when they realize the humans they trusted have turned their backs on them.
Sadly, many dog owners still discard their pets in cruel, careless ways, exposing them to danger without a second thought.
One dog in Kentucky experienced just that kind of heartbreak when his owners tied him to a small tree and left him hidden in a bush.
For three long days, the dog held on to the hope that someone would come back for him — until the painful truth of his abandonment started to sink in.
Rescue Arrives Just In Time
Local residents eventually spotted the dog, later named Dubya, quietly hiding in the bush.
When it became clear that no one had come to check on him for three days, one concerned neighbor finally called Louisville Metro Animal Services to report the situation.
The caller initially mentioned that Dubya appeared aggressive when approached. However, when an officer arrived, she discovered something very different — the pup was actually quite friendly.
Dubya had been tied with a short rope, and beside him sat an empty pink food bowl.
The officer gently cut the rope, finally freeing him from his miserable state.
The sweet pup couldn’t contain his excitement as he wagged his tail, clearly relieved that his nightmare was over. He gazed up at his rescuer with an unforgettable, cross-eyed look of gratitude.
Dubya was quickly transported to Metro Animal Services for a health check-up.
Fortunately, even after spending several days alone in the bush, Dubya was in surprisingly good shape. Apart from some bug bites, he was healthy overall.
He was estimated to be around three years old and began receiving treatment for a condition called entropion — a painful issue where the eyelid rolls inward, causing his eyes to water excessively.
Dubya wasn’t microchipped, and no one ever came forward to claim responsibility for leaving him tied up and abandoned.
A New Beginning With His Forever Dad
After the shelter shared Dubya’s story on Facebook, many in the community were glad he was safe. But some were upset that it took three days for someone to report him.
“We definitely do not recommend waiting [that long]. If you see a dog tied to something with no one around, we would recommend calling animal control. Even if the dog doesn’t seem in distress, things can change really quickly,” said Stephanie Jackson, public information officer at Metro Animal Services, in a statement to The Dodo.
Despite everything he went through, Dubya remained cheerful and affectionate. His joyful personality quickly won over the shelter staff and volunteers.
“He is very, very, very goofy and affectionate,” Jackson added.
Dubya’s bubbly energy and love of activity made it clear he would thrive in a fun, lively home.
On June 13th, 2025, the Louisville shelter delivered the best possible news through their social media: Dubya had found his forever family!
His new dad shared in the comments that Dubya was loving his new home and adjusting beautifully.
We couldn’t be happier for this sweet boy. From now on, Dubya’s days will be filled with nothing but love, joy, and the security he’s always deserved.