A passerby walking past a dumpster heard faint whimpers that immediately raised alarm. Investigating closer, they realized a dog was trapped and in serious distress. Without hesitation, they contacted the Tullahoma Animal Shelter to report the situation.
Responders David Reed and Chris Cabral raced to the scene. Peering into the dumpster, they were confronted with a sight that left their hearts heavy.
A Small Dog In Danger
At the very bottom, a tiny dog lay ensnared in a tightly knotted white trash bag. He had fallen silent and was struggling to breathe.
Reed and Cabral feared the worst. Using a net, they carefully lifted the bag from the dumpster.
They quickly cut it open and found the pup completely motionless. Panic rose as 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 immediately rushed to a veterinarian for emergency care.
At the clinic, Oscar received fluids under the skin, critical medications, and a thorough grooming.
When he arrived, he weighed six pounds, but after the thick, matted fur was removed, his weight had dropped to just four and a half pounds.
Under attentive care, Oscar began to heal, both physically and emotionally.
Oscar Finds Comfort In Foster Care
Although Oscar is not yet available for adoption while the investigation into his abandonment continues, he is flourishing in a foster home.
Surrounded by people devoted to helping him regain strength and confidence, he is thriving.
“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.
Oscar enjoys curling up in blankets and napping, even if he protests the eye drops, ointments, and medicated creams for his infection.
His rescuers are thrilled to see the once lifeless pup now brimming with energy and personality, soaking in the security of his new environment.
Once the investigation concludes, Oscar will be ready to move into a permanent home, a milestone he has undoubtedly earned.
A Sobering Reminder
Oscar’s story, while hopeful, is a stark reminder of how many animals are abandoned and forced to fend for themselves.It does not have to be this way. If you cannot care for a pet, taking them to a shelter provides them a chance at safety, love, and a future they deserve.