Only Dojo knows how long he had been fighting to stay alive on his own. Hungry, weak, and alone, he wandered through the streets of Colton, California, until he stumbled upon a business with kind-hearted workers.
The employees were heartbroken to see him in such a dire condition. They began feeding him, and Dojo, thankful for their compassion, kept returning to their workplace for comfort and food.
Deeply moved by his suffering, the staff decided to help him more directly. They snapped a photo of Dojo and shared his story on Facebook, hoping a rescue group would step in.
A Real-Life Hero Answers The Call
One such hero was Tera — an animal lover from California who saw the post and immediately jumped in her car to find the dog in need.
When she arrived at the given location, her heart sank. There was Dojo, curled up beneath a large sign for Pepe’s Towing Service, resting his head on his paws as he tried to stay warm.
Tera gently began talking to him. As soon as the pup heard her voice, he lifted his head and gazed at her with eyes full of sorrow.
Dojo’s body was frail and crawling with ticks.
Despite being nothing more than skin and bones, he managed to stand up — grateful that someone had come for him.
Tera knelt beside him, gave him soft cuddles, and placed a leash around his neck. He willingly followed her. That’s when she noticed a pressure sore on his back.
She scanned him for a microchip, but unfortunately, he didn’t have one.
Once inside her van, something amazing happened — Dojo wagged his tail for the first time. He seemed to understand that help had finally arrived.
Tera couldn’t contain her joy.
“He started wagging once I got him in my crate inside my van. He knows that he is now safe,” Tera wrote on TikTok.
She gave him a comforting meal of chicken and rice, which he devoured quickly — as though he hadn’t eaten a proper meal in ages.
Later that evening, Tera took him to the vet for a full examination. An X-ray revealed a heartbreaking discovery: in his desperate attempt to survive, Dojo had ingested wires and rocks.
If he doesn’t pass them naturally, surgery may be required.
Fortunately, his bloodwork came back normal. Once the ticks were removed, Dojo seemed visibly more at ease.
The Beginning Of A New Chapter
After the vet visit, Tera brought him home. Dojo instantly felt a sense of safety.
She gave him a warm bath — though he was slightly anxious, he was clearly appreciative. He showered her with grateful kisses, expressing his thanks in the only way he could.
Love Leo Rescue, based in Santa Monica, soon took over Dojo’s care and placed him in a loving foster home.
With good food, care, and affection, the sweet pup began to recover. He now knows that there are people who truly love and care for him.
Once Dojo has made a full recovery, he’ll be ready to begin the search for a forever home.
He has endured unthinkable hardships and fought valiantly for his life. Now, he deserves nothing less than a future filled with love, comfort, and family.