In just one moment, the world of a gentle Pittie completely collapsed. His family abandoned him, leaving him unsure where to go.
Desperate for warmth, the underfed pup—later named Parker—curled up on a cold park bench.
With all his heart, he wished it was just a bad dream, one from which he would soon wake to find his loved ones again.
Thankfully, a kind-hearted passerby spotted him. Seeing Parker shivering broke their heart, and they knew they couldn’t walk away without helping him.
A Glimmer Of Hope
It was obvious Parker had been fending for himself for some time. Malnourished and with sore, patchy skin, he was in desperate need of care.
The Good Samaritan rushed him to Chicago Animal Care and Control.
Without a collar or microchip, Parker was placed on a stray hold.
The heartbreaking image of Parker waiting on the bench quickly spread online, touching countless hearts.
When rescuers at One Tail at a Time, a Chicago-based rescue, came across his photo, they knew they had to act.
They were determined to give him the second chance he deserved.
“For so many dogs that could be the end … but not for Parker. Parker is about to learn what it means to be safe. To be loved. To be warm. To be healthy. And with any luck, to be adopted,” One Tail at a Time wrote on Facebook.
As soon as his stray hold ended and no one came forward, the rescue pulled him from the shelter.
He was taken straight to the vet, where he was diagnosed with kennel cough. With medication in hand, Parker moved into a foster home.
Healing In A Loving Foster Home
His foster family quickly fell for him. Since Parker was already house-trained and walked beautifully on a leash, they suspected he once belonged to a family.
The grateful pup soaked up every bit of care and affection they gave him.
Though still recovering from kennel cough, Parker showed determination to get better each day.
“He tolerates his baths and medicine well and loves to play. Parker is still active, and his foster calls him ‘a total goober.’ He loves napping on the couch (especially right by his foster’s legs), and doesn’t mind wearing jammies to help with his itchy skin,” Kimberly Thomas, the marketing manager for One Tail at a Time told The Dodo.
With his loving personality, Parker adores people and thrives on affection. His foster family is confident he’ll bring immense happiness to his forever family.
Very soon, this sweet boy will be ready to start his search for a permanent home.
“Once his medicated baths and CRID medicine are completed, he will be scheduled for a neuter surgery and then become adoptable,” Thomas added.
There’s no doubt that Parker, with his big heart and gentle soul, will find the happy ending he has always deserved.