A severely neglected stray dog received a second chance at life because of the kindness of a loving family and the efforts of animal welfare workers.
When I saw the pictures of this poor pup named Poleng my heart just broke for him. His whole body was covered in thick painful crusted layers because microscopic mites had buried into his skin. He was wandering around in misery until a kind local family took him into their yard and called an animal rescue group for help.
So the rescuers rushed Poleng straight to a veterinary clinic where doctors gave him specialized medicine and good food. You could see the relief in his eyes as those terrible skin crusts started falling off after just two weeks of treatment. He went from a scared animal in constant pain to a sweet boy who let people gently stroke his head.
Then after he left the vet clinic Poleng went back to stay with the family who first helped him. The rescue team came by every single day to bring him nutritious meals and check on his progress. But some upset neighbors did not want him around so the team moved him to a foster home with a rescue worker named Erika. He got to run around with her young daughter and two other dogs where his funny goofy personality finally came out.
We see how love and patience can turn any dark situation around when we look at his life now. About four months into his recovery a couple named Rachel and Martin saw his story online and adopted him into their home.
Today Poleng goes on long outdoor walks and sleeps on comfortable beds with a family that loves him unconditionally.
Proverbs 12:10 tells us that “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” We saw this verse coming to life in this story.
One family chose to care for a poor animal by offering him a shelter when their neighbors didn’t want him and that simple decision changed his life forever.
If you ever happen to see an animal in pain, you might not always be in the right position to help it directly. But you can always pick up the phone and dial a local shelter or rescue group. It might be that small step we take becomes the very miracle that saves a suffering soul and gives it new life.
WATCH: Stray Dog Covered in Mange Gets Second Chance at Life
Join the Conversation