When a passerby heard faint whimpers coming from a dumpster, they quickly realized the sounds were coming from a dog in distress. They immediately contacted the Tullahoma Animal Shelter to report what they had found.
Responders David Reed and Chris Cabral wasted no time and headed straight to the location. As they looked inside the dumpster, they were met with a heartbreaking sight.
A Pup In Distress
At the bottom of the bin, a small dog lay trapped inside a tightly knotted white trash bag. He had stopped making noise and was struggling to breathe.
Reed and Cabral feared the worst. They grabbed a net and gently lifted the bag out of the dumpster.
They quickly cut it open. Inside, the pup was motionless, and they worried they had arrived too late.
“[H]e was not moving, crying or barking. When he began to breathe, they immediately contacted one of our veterinarians in order to get him emergency care,” Cheryl Rhoads, Tullahoma Animal Shelter animal control manager, told The Dodo.
The dog, later named Oscar, was rushed to the vet for urgent treatment. He received fluids under the skin, vital medications, and a thorough grooming.
Oscar weighed six pounds when he arrived. But after removing the thick, matted fur that covered his body, his weight dropped to just four and a half pounds.
In the care of compassionate hands, Oscar slowly began to recover, physically and emotionally.
Oscar Begins To Heal In Foster Care
Oscar’s case is now under investigation, so he isn’t yet available for adoption, despite the many offers pouring in.
For now, he’s thriving in a foster home, surrounded by people helping him regain strength and confidence.
Oscar is clearly enjoying his new life.
“Oscar has some sass to him. His favorite activity is to burrow up in blankets and sleep. He also likes to be held, but on his terms,” Rhoads shared.
Though he’s not fond of his eye drops, ointments, or medicated cream for an infection, he loves curling up in blankets and napping.
His rescuers are overjoyed to see the once lifeless pup now full of energy and personality, soaking in the comfort of his new surroundings.
Once the investigation concludes, Oscar will be ready to find a permanent home. And when that moment arrives, it will be one he’s truly earned.
Good luck, Oscar, you’ve already come so far.
A Reminder
Oscar’s experience is sadly not uncommon. Many animals are abandoned and left to survive on their own. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
If you’re unable to care for your pet, please take them to a shelter. Give them the opportunity to find safety and love. They deserve nothing less.