Abandoning animals has reached alarming levels, and this heart-wrenching story from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, highlights just how dire the situation has become.
A Shocking Discovery on the Porch
On a beautiful sunny day, a woman in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, stepped onto her porch, unaware of the horrifying scene that awaited her. Sitting there was a cardboard box, and inside it, to her disbelief, was a fluffy white dog. The poor dog was in terrible condition, lifeless and seemingly deceased.
The Lifeless Dog in a Box
Panicked and unsure of what to do, the woman immediately called her daughter, Janine Guido, the founder of Speranza Animal Rescue in Pennsylvania. Janine recounted the distressing moment in a social media post: “My phone rang mid-morning. It was my mom who never calls; we always communicate by text. So I knew something wasn’t right. When I answered, my suspicion was confirmed.”
On the other end of the line, her mom was frantic and crying about a lifeless dog someone had left on her front porch. Janine dropped everything and rushed to her mom’s farm. Along the way, she couldn’t stop thinking about why someone would abandon an already deceased dog. She quickly called her mom back and asked her to check if the dog was breathing.
A Race Against Time
It turned out the dog wasn’t deceased but unconscious. Janine knew it was a race against time to save him. She picked up the lifeless, completely limp dog and rushed him to their routine vet. The dog, a mixed breed barely a year old, was in awful shape—extremely malnourished, matted, and covered in feces and urine. His pupils were cloudy, and on the way to the vet, he started having seizures.
Source: Speranza Animal Rescue
Beating the Odds
No one expected the dog to survive, but miracles do happen. Once in veterinary care, the dog, whom Janine named G.I. Joe, received IV fluids and treatment for seizures. His condition was critical, but within days, he began to feel a little better. After a few days, he was up and walking, albeit wobbly, and eating on his own.
No one could believe that this was the same dog found unresponsive just days before. His condition quickly improved, and after being discharged from the clinic, G.I. Joe went to his foster home with Karen Spangler.
Source: Speranza Animal Rescue
Finding a Loving Foster Home
Karen is a wonderful foster mom experienced with epileptic dogs. She also has two other dogs, one of whom is blind, just like G.I. Joe. “GI Joe (Joey) is doing great,” Karen shared in an update on Speranza Animal Rescue’s Facebook page. “He’s taking one step at a time, working on potty training, and doing great. He has started jumping up occasionally, so we are working on that and ‘no’. He seems to see some shadows and has a great sense of smell. For the condition he was in, he is doing awesome.”
A Wonderful Foster Fail
Source: Speranza Animal Rescue
Although Karen initially didn’t want to adopt another dog, G.I. Joe, or Joey, as she likes to call him, quickly won her heart. “I didn’t want another permanent dog to add to my family. I told multiple family and friends I would not become a foster fail,” Karen told The Dodo.
However, this temporary situation soon turned into a forever one. Joey bonded so deeply with Karen, her grandchildren, and her other dogs that she couldn’t bear to put him through the adoption process again. It was the only right thing to do because now, Karen simply couldn’t imagine her life without this furry little dog who beat all the odds and transformed into a happy little companion.
The Joy of a New Family Member
Source: Speranza Animal Rescue
“They always say things happen for a reason, and this is so true. My family needed Joey. Never in a million years did I think he would turn out to be so sweet and smart. I’m looking forward to seeing where he takes us,” Karen said.
This heartwarming story of rescue and recovery reminds us of the importance of compassion and the incredible impact a loving home can have on a dog’s life. G.I. Joe’s journey from a lifeless, abandoned puppy to a cherished family member is a testament to the power of love and care.
