One morning in Chicago, a man was driving his child to school when he noticed something heartbreaking on the side of the road: a severely emaciated dog lying motionless in the grass, too weak to move.
The man pulled over immediately. Without hesitation, he gently lifted the frail pup into his arms and headed straight to the nearest police station, hoping someone there could help.
Officers at the station quickly realized how dire the situation was. They contacted a local shelter to report the emergency and were advised to transfer the dog to Chicago Animal Care and Control. The officers placed the poor pup in their patrol car and drove him to safety.
A Long Road To Recovery
Once the dog, later named Sugar Snap, arrived at the shelter, the staff knew he needed more specialized medical care than they could provide. He was transferred to One Tail at a Time, a Chicago-based rescue group known for handling severe cases.
When the medical team examined him, they were shocked by his condition. Sugar Snap was so malnourished that he couldn’t stand or walk. Yet when food was offered, he managed to lift his head and eat, proof that he still had the will to survive.
Thanks to donations from compassionate supporters, Sugar Snap began intensive treatment immediately. He received a lifesaving transfusion that stabilized his vital signs and gave him enough strength to keep fighting.
“His vet team is adding new meds to his treatment plan and continues to do everything they can for him while keeping him comfortable. He’s in excellent hands,” One Tail at a Time shared on Facebook.
Not long after, Sugar Snap faced another setback when his blood pressure and glucose levels dropped suddenly. His medical team acted fast, placing an NG tube and administering another transfusion to bring his levels back up.
“Some of his values dropped on Sunday which was alarming, so his veterinary team came up with a plan that included an NG tube and blood transfusion,” the rescue explained in an update.
Slowly, he began to recover. Once he was strong enough, his feeding tube was removed, and he started eating on his own. Each day, his energy returned, and soon he was able to stand and take a few shaky steps.
After three weeks of nonstop care, Sugar Snap had improved so much that the team decided he was ready to leave the hospital and continue his recovery in a foster home.
“Today, after three weeks, Sugar Snap left the emergency hospital walking on his own. He will go to foster with one of the veterinarians who treated him, where he will continue to get healthy and strong,” the rescue wrote on Facebook.
Finding Love And Strength
In his foster home, Sugar Snap finally experienced what it meant to feel safe and loved. Every day brought new progress. He ate with enthusiasm, explored his surroundings, and began showing his playful personality.
“We’re celebrating two weeks in foster and happy to report he’s weighing in at nearly 34 lbs, is more mobile than ever, and has even learned how to beg for food. Can you believe this is the same dog?!” the rescue shared.
Within just a few weeks, Sugar Snap had doubled his weight, going from a skeletal 19 pounds to a healthy 40 pounds. His transformation was nothing short of astonishing.
The foster mom who had cared for him from the start realized that she couldn’t imagine life without him. Her bond with Sugar Snap had grown too strong to let go. She decided to adopt him permanently and make him a part of her family.
Now, Sugar Snap lives happily with his new family, which includes a dog brother named Fitz and a cat brother named Noodle. Both his mom and dad are veterinarians, ensuring he’ll always receive the best care possible.
“Sugar now has a dog brother, Fitz, and a cat brother, Noodle. Not only is his mom a vet, but his dad too! We truly couldn’t have asked for a happier ending for this lucky Chicago stray,” One Tail at a Time concluded.
From a starving pup lying helpless on the roadside to a beloved family member surrounded by love, Sugar Snap’s journey is a powerful reminder that compassion can truly save lives.