When Stephanie Ruocco, a woman from Western Massachusetts, first spotted a blurry white shape on a Ring camera, she thought it was a coyote. But then she looked closer, and realized it wasn’t a wild animal at all. It was a dog.
Over the following days, she kept leaving food and water by her garage door. Before long, the mystery visitor returned again. Each day, he came a little braver, until, finally, he revealed himself fully.
Formerly known as Ghost, this pup turned out to be a lost dog struggling to survive in the woods for months. Fortunately, he just stumbled upon the right person!
Two-Month Rescue
Named CJ by Stephanie and her family, the dog had been surviving on his own after running away from his owner. He was barely out of puppyhood, and yet he’d already spent two long months fending for himself in the thick Massachusetts woods.
“He’d been surviving in the woods since March after bolting from his owner just an hour after being gifted to him. He was super skittish, especially around guys, but we kept feeding him, and he kept coming back everyday,” Stephanie wrote on Instagram.
Stephanie learned that his former owner was a disabled veteran who could no longer care for him. Now, CJ kept finding his way to her yard.
At first, he wouldn’t come close. He’d appear at the edge, sometimes in front of the garage, snatch the food, and vanish. Whenever Stephanie tried to approach him, CJ would immediately run off.
Then she tried a different approach. Sometimes, she began sitting quietly outside, pretending not to notice him. As he became more comfortable with her, CJ would even come close enough to sniff her hand.
Two months later, the two had finally reached the turning point.
One day, CJ accepted the toy Stephanie threw him, and wagged his tail for the first time. What began as a rescue attempt eventually became something more.
CJ Is Home
Even though Stephanie didn’t attempt to adopt a dog in the first place, CJ completely stole her heart. During those days of rescue, their connection grew stronger, and now, the two were inseparable.
Stephanie welcomed CJ into her basement, provided him with a nice sleeping place and companionship. Needless to say, the dog was overjoyed! He was finally safe, far from the uncertainty of the woods.
“Now CJ’s sleeping in our basement, so playful and lovable, and we already hired a K9 trainer to help him be his best self! Thanks for all the love and support! This story has the happiest ending,” Stephanie added.
Today, CJ is a healthy pup who spends his days playing, napping, and just genuinely enjoying his rescuer’s company.
His rescue did take time. But thanks to Stephanie’s compassion, CJ now has a forever home.