A tow truck driver named Andrew was making his way through a wooded area in Fort Wayne, Indiana, when something unexpected caught his eye.
Through the tangle of sticks and mud, he noticed a tiny face peeking out — and it was enough to make him stop his truck immediately.
Looking For The Animal
Andrew stepped out and carefully approached the spot where he thought he’d seen movement. Sure enough, his hunch was right.
Crouched low in the undergrowth, trembling and alone, was a small brown dog.
Before the frightened pup could bolt, Andrew snapped a quick photo and shared it on his Facebook page, hoping someone might recognize him.
He also sent the picture to Lost Dogs of Fort Wayne, a local network dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their families.
If this little guy belonged to someone, Andrew wanted to make sure they knew where to look.
When the owner of LDFW saw the post, they wasted no time. Alongside another dog lover, they headed out to search for the stray.
Soon, four more caring volunteers joined them — all determined to bring the pup to safety.
It didn’t take long before they spotted him again, this time across a small creek.
With gentle persistence, they managed to catch the pup and carry him out of the mud, bringing him straight to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control (FWACC) for help.
Finally, At The Shelter
Once he arrived, the shelter team gave the little dog a thorough medical check-up and some much-needed care. They decided to name him Joey.
“When we heard of how many people … were willing to drop everything they were doing to come rescue Joey, it gave us hope. His rescue is a testimony to how powerful a group of animal lovers can be,” said Delaney Atkinson, FWACC community outreach educator.
At first, Joey was still weak and a bit sluggish from his ordeal. But that didn’t stop him from accepting an invitation to play.
The staff handed him a few toys, and soon he was bounding around the room, tail wagging, eyes bright with joy.
As the days passed, Joey’s health improved, and so did his confidence. The timid, muddy pup who had once hidden in the woods now looked like a completely different dog.
His resilience inspired everyone at FWACC, serving as a reminder that the past doesn’t have to define a person — or a pup.
Forever Home
Joey’s uplifting story touched the shelter staff so deeply that they kept sharing updates about him on their Facebook page, hoping to inspire others as well.
It wasn’t long before one woman came across his photos and decided she had to meet him in person.
The moment she and Joey locked eyes, it was clear they were meant to be.
Today, Joey is thriving in his forever home, where he’s surrounded by love, another dog sibling, and two cats. After everything he endured, he finally has the happy ending he always deserved — a life filled with warmth, companionship, and joy.