It’s sadly not unusual to see a dog abandoned and left to wander the streets alone these days, especially for those whose everyday lives are devoted to rescuing animals.
One kind-hearted animal rescuer from Houston, Texas, experienced this firsthand when she spotted a lonely dumped dog beside a heavily trafficked road.
The poor pup had been left behind by his family, and after spending so long in the comfort of a home, finding himself suddenly on the unforgiving streets was a shock. He looked completely lost, confused, and frightened.
This incredible woman was so moved by the sight that she decided to do everything she could to help him smile again.
Set On Helping Him
Kristin Erwin, a founder of Streetheart Project, a nonprofit rescue located in Houston, Texas, knew rescuing the dog she had just seen by the road wouldn’t be easy.
Still, she was fully committed to saving him and was ready to do whatever it took. Kristin hadn’t been planning a rescue that day, so her only option was to gently call out to the dog and hope he would come.
Sadly, and not unexpectedly, the dog—named Eggnog—had lost faith in people after being abandoned, and he didn’t respond. Still visibly shaken, Eggnog eventually ran off, leaving Kristin uneasy about what might happen to him.
Even though things didn’t go as planned, Kristin didn’t give up. She came back the next day, but this time she had a plan.
When she returned to the spot the following day, Kristin brought along a trap and some tasty food she was sure Eggnog couldn’t resist. She set the food inside the trap and left it open, hoping it would draw him in.
Eventually, the plan worked. Hungry and cautious, Eggnog slowly approached the trap. When he saw no one nearby, he stepped inside and began to eat.
The door clicked shut, and Kristin was finally able to get him off the streets.
From Terrified To Trusting
Kristin was thrilled that she had managed to rescue Eggnog, but once they were home, she realized the hardest part wasn’t over yet.
Eggnog wasn’t aggressive once he arrived at his foster home, but his fear was impossible to miss. His body trembled constantly.
As a seasoned rescuer, Kristin knew exactly what needed to be done—she had to be patient and allow him to take his time.
After a few tough days, a change began to happen. Eggnog started to warm up to her, slowly realizing that this new place was safe, and this new person wasn’t going to hurt him like others had. She was there to help.
Before long, Eggnog was a completely different dog. He had a smile on his face, followed Kristin around the house, and wagged his tail with joy.
While the road ahead is still uncertain, there’s no doubt Eggnog is headed in the right direction—toward a future filled with love, and far away from those who once left him behind.