Only Dojo knows how long he had been fighting to survive on the streets. Starving, exhausted, and alone, he roamed through Colton, California, until he came across a business with compassionate employees.
The workers were devastated by his condition. They began feeding him, and Dojo, grateful for their kindness, kept returning to their workplace for food and comfort.
Touched by his suffering, the staff decided to take action. They snapped a photo of Dojo and posted it on Facebook, hoping a rescue would respond.
A Hero Rushes To Help
One of those responders was Tera, a devoted animal lover from California. After seeing the post, she immediately got in her car and drove to find the dog.
When she arrived at the location, her heart broke. Dojo was curled beneath a large sign for Pepe’s Towing Service, his head resting on his paws as he tried to stay warm.
Tera softly spoke to him. Hearing her voice, Dojo lifted his head and looked at her with eyes full of pain.
His body was emaciated and covered in ticks.
Though he was barely more than skin and bones, he stood up, thankful that someone had come for him.
Tera knelt beside him, offered gentle cuddles, and slipped a leash around his neck. He followed her without hesitation. That’s when she noticed a pressure sore on his back.
She checked for a microchip, but there wasn’t one.
Inside her van, something remarkable happened: Dojo wagged his tail for the first time. It was as if he knew he was finally safe.
Tera was overwhelmed with emotion.
“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 warm meal of chicken and rice, which he devoured quickly, as though he hadn’t eaten properly in a long time.
That evening, Tera took him to the vet for a full checkup. An X-ray revealed a heartbreaking truth: Dojo had swallowed rocks and wires in his desperate attempt to survive.
If he doesn’t pass them naturally, surgery may be necessary.
Thankfully, his bloodwork looked good. After the ticks were removed, Dojo appeared visibly more relaxed.
A Safe Place To Heal
After the vet visit, Tera brought him home. Dojo immediately sensed he was in a safe space.
She gave him a gentle bath. Though slightly nervous, he clearly appreciated the care. He showered her with kisses, expressing his gratitude the only way he could.
Love Leo Rescue, based in Santa Monica, soon stepped in to oversee Dojo’s recovery and placed him in a nurturing foster home.
With proper nutrition, medical care, and affection, Dojo began to heal. He now understands that he is loved.
Once Dojo has fully recovered, he’ll begin the search for a permanent home.
He has endured unimaginable hardship and fought to stay alive. Now, he deserves a future filled with warmth, safety, and love.