When puppies are born, the love and care of their mother is everything. It helps them grow, feel safe, and blossom into happy, healthy dogs.
Sadly, not all puppies get that chance.
Koby, a sweet Pit Bull mix, was one of the unfortunate little ones separated from his mom far too early.
His owners, who were breeders, heartlessly abandoned Koby and his siblings in front of a South Carolina shelter, simply because they weren’t considered purebred Pit Bulls.
The tiny pups, who longed to be cuddled by their mama, instead found themselves crowded inside a cardboard box, waiting for kindness and a chance at love.
A New Life
The shelter staff quickly stepped in to help the puppies.
Since the shelter they were left at was a kill shelter, Ollie’s Angels Animal Rescue, a nonprofit based in New York, agreed to take them in and care for them.
In 2021, newlyweds Steven and Jessica visited the rescue in search of a furry family member.
One particular puppy, a tan Pit Bull mix named Koby, captured their hearts instantly.
The moment they picked him up, Koby melted against them as if he already knew they were his people.
“The first time we got to hold him, he just sunk in our arms,“ Steven told GeoBeats Animals.
That very day, Koby left the rescue and went home with his new family.
Adjusting to his new world took time. During the first nights, Koby had trouble settling down and couldn’t sleep well.
To ease his anxiety, Steven and Jessica bought him a stuffed animal with a heartbeat and gentle warmth. It worked wonders. The comfort toy helped Koby finally feel at peace.
Full of affection, the little pup soon revealed his true self, he loves climbing into his dad’s lap and cuddling on the couch.
Before adopting Koby, Steven never realized how much Pit Bulls crave affection and closeness.
Together, he and Jessica poured all their love into raising Koby, treating him like their own child.
The loyal pup, in turn, never wants to leave their side. He becomes visibly sad whenever he can’t join them.
His parents often say that his eyes reveal everything he feels.
“It’s like looking at a person. You know exactly what he’s feeling just based on his eyes alone,” Jessica told GeoBeats Animals.
Koby Adores His Parents
Both Steven and Jessica noticed how deeply Koby was affected by being separated from his mother so young.
He had missed out on her warmth, but he made up for it by giving every ounce of his love to his human parents.
He proved just how protective and caring he could be when Jessica became pregnant.
Throughout her pregnancy, Koby never left her side, often resting his head on her belly as if watching over both of them.
Though he loves his mom dearly, his dad is his absolute favorite. Koby can spend hours sitting on the couch, gazing out the window, eagerly waiting for Steven to return from work.
The instant he hears the sound of the door, Koby bursts with joy, showering his dad with kisses and hugs.
To Steven, Koby feels like more than a pet, he’s family.
Steven says Koby is like a son to him, and he treasures their daily reunions. Both he and Jessica admit they can’t imagine their lives without him.
“He’s become such an important part of my every day. If I have a tough day at work, it’s nice coming home to a beautiful wife, but it’s also nice coming home to somebody that you know is guaranteed gonna greet you with excitement and hugs and kisses,” Steven said.
These days, Koby even shares little glimpses of his happy life with his followers on Instagram. He also recently became a proud big brother to a human sister, whom he adores and protects with the same devotion he gives his parents.